President Vladimir Putin supports the idea of replacing the transportation tax with fuel excises in the future, Interfax reported.
"The issue is very important and very sensitive, and on the whole we need to strive toward putting it all into excises. And to gradually get away from the transport tax," Putin said at a meeting with parliamentary faction leaders. "We are still not ready,"
"Indeed, we said we would do this," Putin added. "But at the urging of regional governors, we left it because this tax goes to their budgets. They were worried that we would cut off their revenues."
Putin also expressed caution concerning a planned increase in alcohol excise taxes.
"An increase [in excise taxes] is necessary, but it shouldn't be sudden," he said, adding that he doesn't see alcohol excise tax revenues as a solution to filling budget deficits.
(MT)
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.
