Russian startups will receive increased tax benefits

The range of small technology companies (MTS) to which the government provides tax incentives may expand. A source familiar with the discussion of the initiative in relevant departments told Izvestia about this. We are talking about zeroing out VAT, income and property taxes for residents of Skolkovo and, possibly, a number of technoparks, he told Izvestia.

Currently, companies registered with Skolkovo enjoy tax benefits until their annual revenue reaches 1 billion rubles per year. Officials and state development institutions are discussing the possibility of raising this limit to 4 billion rubles — depriving startups of preferences too early reduces their development potential, the source points out.

According to him, new regulations may be introduced as early as 2026, which requires approval of amendments to the Tax Code.

The fact that the issue is being worked out is also evidenced by the appeal of VEB.The Russian Federation to the Ministry of Finance, which was reviewed by Izvestia. In particular, it says that the premature loss of tax benefits by companies after they reach revenue of 1 billion rubles does not correspond to the scale of modern technological projects and creates obstacles to their growth.

Andrey Bezrukov, Chairman of the Board of the Autonomous Non-Profit Organization Center for Unmanned Systems and Technologies (CBST), is familiar with the course of the interdepartmental discussion.

"The limits of tax benefits for Skolkovo participants — 1 billion rubles of revenue and 300 million rubles of profit - were set in 2010 and are currently stifling the growth of our technology companies. Inflation has devalued these thresholds in 15 years: producer prices have more than tripled. Raising limits is a fair adaptation to reality, allowing companies to grow and invest in development, rather than being afraid of losing support. This is critically important for achieving national goals of technological leadership," he told Izvestia.

Read more in the exclusive Izvestia article:

Investment attractiveness: startups will be given additional benefits