Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree launching a pilot program that allows importers to defer VAT payments by up to three months, interest‑free. The program applies only to goods imported from outside the Eurasian Economic Union and is available to companies meeting specific eligibility criteria. It will run until June 30, 2027.

Russia’s State Duma has approved a bill that temporarily exempts self‑employed and small food‑and‑dining businesses from value‑added tax until the end of 2026. The measure rolls back part of a January reform that raised the standard VAT rate to 22% and lowered the income threshold for small businesses. The bill is pending presidential signature and aims to prevent business closures amid wartime economic pressures.

Russia is proposing to exempt crypto exchanges and custodial services from VAT, with the bill expected to be adopted by July 1 2026. The exemption covers digital rights confirming exclusively monetary claims but does not apply to profits, which will still be taxed under standard rules. Ordinary users will face a purchase limit of $3,700 per year and can only buy the largest coins listed by the Central Bank.

Russia is drafting a law that will exempt cryptocurrency exchange and custody services from VAT, while subjecting their profits to standard corporate tax. The bill also introduces new personal tax rules for crypto traders, limits retail purchases to $3,700 per year, and requires Russian residents to report foreign‑based crypto wallets to the Federal Tax Service.

Russia will exempt cryptocurrency exchange and custody services from value‑added tax, covering ancillary services related to issuance and trading of digital currencies. The bill, expected to be adopted by July 1 2026, also sets corporate tax rules for platform profits and allows traders to offset acquisition costs against income, though losses cannot be carried forward.

The Russian Federal Tax Service announced that the filing deadline for Q1 2026 VAT returns is April 27, 2026. Taxpayers must use a new form that reflects a VAT rate increase to 22% from 20%, along with other changes.

Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has proposed a flat 22% VAT on all foreign goods, including purchases via online marketplaces, effective 1 January 2027. The proposal contrasts with a Ministry of Finance draft that would raise the rate gradually from 5% in 2027 to 20% in 2030. The announcement was made by Minister Anton Alikhanov at the Duma Committee on Industrial Policy on 11 February 2026.

Russia increased its VAT rate from 20% to 22% on 1 January 2026, expanding VAT registration to more small businesses. The Finance Ministry expects the hike to bring an extra 3.2 trillion rubles in revenue, while businesses have already raised prices to offset the tax change. The move aims to close the fiscal gap caused by war spending and falling oil revenues.