The preferential rate of Value Added Tax (VAT), which now applies to most food products, goods for children, medicines, books, can be canceled. At least, this idea was voiced at a meeting of the Russian government, and the head of the Cabinet Dmitry Medvedev on April 17 instructed his subordinates to calculate all the consequences of this step. This "Vedomosti" was told by sources in welcoming circles. In particular, agencies in the near future should submit reports on how the abolition of benefits will affect the poor and the budget, whether an effective measure will be to increase the VAT rate only for a number of positions. For example, there is an option to leave the VAT at a rate of 10% for food, except for delicacies, and for medicines, and for children's goods and textbooks raise to non-concessional 18%. But at the same time introduce targeted subsidies to low-income families with children. It is noted that there is as yet no unanimous opinion on this matter in the Cabinet. It is known that the Ministry of Finance insists on abolishing the VAT exemption from 2016. True, he suggests doing this not once, but gradually, every year increasing by 2%. As an argument, the agency cites figures: according to his calculations, in 2018 and 2019.

preferential rate will cost a budget of 600-650 billion rubles. lost income. In general, the government sounded an idea and a non-concessional VAT rate to raise up to 20%.

For the budget this will make a good increase. But for the population it can be a crushing blow.