Russia includes SPOT system in budget as source of VAT revenue growth for second year

MOSCOW. Oct 3 (Interfax) - The launch of the SPOT system for confirming expected delivery of goods, with advance payment of value-added tax by importers on imports from Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries, in place of the existing process of paying the tax upon booking acceptance of the goods will generate 300 billion rubles of additional budget revenue for Russia in 2026-2028, the Finance Ministry estimated.

The estimate is cited in an appendix to the draft federal budget for 2026-2028 that lists sources of additional revenue resulting from changes to legislation. The SPOT system is highlighted as a separate line item, with revenue expected to total 50 billion rubles in 2026, 100 billion rubles in 2027 and 150 billion rubles in 2028, or a total of 300 billion rubles over the three years.

The SPOT system is being factored into the budget as a source of VAT revenue growth for the second consecutive year. Last year the Finance Ministry had higher revenue expectations from its launch: 150 billion rubles in 2025, 162.3 billion rubles in 2026 and 174.7 billion rubles in 2027, or a total of 487 billion rubles over three years.

The Federal Customs Service announced the development of the system back in 2023, and it planned to submit proposals for a draft roadmap to launch this system to the Finance Ministry by May 21, 2024, but the relevant bills have not been submitted to the State Duma yet.

The budget, tax and customs tariff policy guidelines for 2026-2028 state that the introduction of the system for confirming expected delivery of goods for imports from EAEU countries, including with advance payment of indirect taxes, will make it possible to stop tax evasion and the use of illegal import schemes.

At present, VAT on imports from the EAEU is paid by the taxpayer independently by the 20th day of the month after acceptance of the goods is registered, along with the submission of tax and import declarations.

"The planned introduction of the system for confirming the status of goods declared as transit through the territory of the Russian Federation will make it possible to ensure payment of VAT on goods that are used for domestic consumption," a memo attached to the draft budget for the next three years said.