The possibility of restructuring 100 billion rubles ($3.4 billion) in tax debts for companies in the military-industrial sector has been written into the 2012 budget, Vedomosti Monday.
The concept has also been incorporated into fiscal plans for 2013 and 2014, sources said.
The decision to move ahead with the restructuring has already been taken and will be enacted this year, two unnamed federal officials close to the discussions told Vedomosti.
According to the new plan, the federal government could cancel or extend payment for tax debts, fines and interest owed by strategic companies that fulfill state defense contracts.
The officials could not say what portion of the debts would be eliminated under the law, which applies to debts owed as of Sept. 1, 2011.
It's not surprising that military goods manufacturers have debts, said Oleg Siyenko, general manager of tank maker Uralvagonzavod, with their huge numbers of employees and big expenses for heat and lighting.
Mikhail Barabanov, editor of the Moscow Defense Brief journal, told Vedomosti that the move was a clear step to take, as problems with reporting and payment of taxes resulted from a prolonged allocation of funds for state defense orders in 2011. Disagreements about prices for purchases of equipment totaling 373 billion rubles caused contract signing delays, prompting Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in late August 2011 to order Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin to conclude all contracts by Sept. 1.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
