After this month’s presidential election in Russia, Vladimir Putin is considering significant tax hikes to finance the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Kremlin is contemplating imposing higher taxes on high-earning individuals and corporations, with plans to raise as much as 4 trillion rubles ($44 billion). These tax increases could be finalized as early as this summer, according to sources.
Proposed Tax Adjustments
Under the proposed plan, the government aims to raise the personal income tax rate from 15% to 20% for individuals earning over 5 million rubles (approximately $55k USD) annually. For those making over 1 million rubles (approximately $11k USD) annually, the tax rate would increase from 13% to 15%. Additionally, officials are considering raising the corporate tax rate to 25% from the current 20%.
Putin’s Call for Fairer Taxation
During his address to Russian lawmakers on February 29, Putin emphasized the need for a fairer distribution of taxes, particularly targeting higher personal and corporate incomes. With Putin widely expected to secure reelection easily in the upcoming vote scheduled for March 15-17, these tax adjustments are poised to become a reality.
Economic Implications
Economists predict that the proposed tax hikes would serve multiple purposes. They would generate public revenue to finance the war efforts, alleviate pressure on the ruble by curbing capital outflows, and fund child benefits aimed at addressing the country’s low birthrate. Russia’s substantial spending on the Ukraine war since February 2022 has strained its economy, resulting in a 7.4% inflation rate and declining direct investment. Experts warn that sustaining the costs of the war, whether victorious or not, could further destabilize the Russian economy.
Military Financing and Budget Allocation
With the Kremlin allocating one-third of the national budget to military expenditures and the war in Ukraine, triple the amount spent in 2021, the strain on the economy is evident. Finance Ministry data indicates that nearly half of the reserves of the national wealth fund were depleted by the end of last year, highlighting the financial toll of the ongoing conflict.
Jade Simon
