Russia might launch tax free system for visitors by year's end - paper
MOSCOW. April 29 (Interfax) - Russia might start testing a tax free system that would enable foreign tourists to get a partial tax refund on purchased goods as early as this year, national daily Kommersant reported on Friday, citing a copy of the minutes from a meeting on the introduction of VAT refunds for foreign visitors that was held by First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov.
The Industry and Trade Ministry, Finance Ministry, Federal Customs Service and Federal Tax Service are working out the details on orders from Shuvalov, the paper said.
The minimum amount of purchases of non-food goods on which foreign citizens would be able to get a VAT refund will be 10,000 rubles, the presentation cited by Kommersant states.
A pilot tax free project might be launched at Moscow shopping centers GUM, Petrovsky Passazh, Vesna (part of Bosco group), TsUM, Barvikha Luxury Village (part of Mercury), Crocus City Mall and others, the paper said.
Following the pilot project, the system will be opened up to retailers with sales of at least 100 million rubles which do not have any tax debts and operate retail outlets in cities with international airports. Companies that want to join the tax free system will have to undergo certification at the Industry and Trade Ministry.
Shuvalov's office and the Finance Ministry did not respond to questions, the paper said. The press service of the Federal Customs Service said it did not have any information about work on the issue of introducing a tax free system. Tax Service officials were not available for comment.
