(Last updated: 19 July 2012)

Taxation

Value Added Tax (VAT) of 18 per cent (10 per cent on many food items and children’s goods) is excised at the border. Additional excise duties apply for tobacco, alcoholic beverages, cars and some other ‘luxury’ items.

Russia has a flat 13 per cent personal income tax as well as a 26.2 per cent ‘social guarantee’ tax levied on employers. Company tax is 20 per cent on profits.

Australia and Russia signed a tax treaty in 2000. Details of this can be found at the Australian Taxation Office website.

Top Business Risks

• Bribery of Foreign Officials
• Tariffs and regulations
• Doing business in Russia

OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises

Multinational Enterprises should be aware of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises that provide voluntary principles and standards for responsible business behaviour in a variety of areas, consistent with applicable domestic laws. These Guidelines are endorsed and promoted by the Australian Government. For more information, go to the AusNCP website.