LDPR officials floated a plan to raise the personal income tax for immigrants who work under patent arrangements in Russia, setting the rate at 30 percent. The party’s press service shared the proposal with Gazeta.ru, presenting it as a measure for consideration by the State Duma. The move is framed as part of a broader conversation about how migrant labor supports the budget and drives regional development, with supporters arguing it could boost public revenue and fund social programs.
Previously, the tax on foreign citizens working on patent contracts ranged from 13 to 22 percent, an interval that some critics saw as far too low compared with other migrant categories. LDPR argues this gap allowed gaps in tax collection and unequal treatment among migrants, especially those engaged in patent-based employment. The party contends a uniform higher rate would create a clearer tax framework and close loopholes that reduce state revenue.
LDPR says the additional revenue would replenish the budget and enable funds to increase taxes in other areas, support regional development, and back families with children. The party emphasizes that the proposed rule would be applied consistently to those participating in patent work, aligning tax treatment with other forms of migrant employment and strengthening fiscal discipline across the board.
Leonid Slutsky noted that migration growth in 2024 reached 568.5 thousand people, the highest figure since 1995. He explained that many newcomers arrive for recruitment or patent work, and that the 30 percent rate would not apply to every migrant, recognizing the diversity within the migrant population and the need for targeted policy.
As the LDPR sees it, patents contribute a substantial amount to the state treasury, and the party argues that migrants should leave more of their earnings in Russia. The proposal calls for extending the general rule to foreigners working on patent contracts, aiming for a more uniform approach to taxation and greater public funding for social and regional initiatives.
Earlier, Dmitry Medvedev, the Security Council vice president, proposed identifying which migrants come to Russia to earn money while avoiding taxes. He also urged bringing personal responsibility to company heads for employing migrants through one-day staffing schemes and for tightening controls on the shadow labor market. At the same time, the Duma began the session with discussions about restricting labor migrants who relocate to Russia with their families, reflecting concerns over family-based migration and its implications for social services and public resources.