Tax Messenger
Summaries of key tax and legal developments in legislation and case law and the latest issues affecting human resource management, prepared by B1's experts in Russia
The Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia is preparing a draft decree to increase environmental fee rates
In early June 2025, Kommersant and RBC reported that the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia was in the process of drafting a government decree proposing increases in the basic rates of the environmental fee (eco-fee) from 2026. The document envisages severalfold increases in eco-fee rates for almost all categories of goods and packaging – depending on the item, rates may go up between 3 and 18 times.
11.06.2025
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Overview of the 17th package of EU sanctions
On 20 May 2025, the EU Council adopted the 17th package of sanctions against Russia. The new measures are primarily aimed at the activities of the so-called "shadow fleet" used to transport Russian oil. In particular, 189 vessels have been added to the list of ships banned from entering the ports of EU member states. In addition, a new EU Regulation has been adopted to counter Russia’s destabilizing actions abroad.
26.05.2025
Draft amendments to strengthen control over foreign investment in "strategic" assets published
The Federal Anti-Monopoly Service has drafted amendments to current laws aimed at strengthening control over foreign investments in business entities and assets of strategic importance for national defense and state security in accordance with Law No. 57-FZ of April 29, 2008 "On the Procedure for Making Foreign Investments in Business Entities of Strategic Importance for Ensuring National Defense and State Security".
23.04.2025
Sanctions pressure and prosecution risks: important considerations for Russian companies and their employees
There has recently been an increase in regulatory pressure exerted by the EU in terms of monitoring compliance with European sanctions, including by Russian companies controlled by European entities. This may create additional prosecution risks both for the Russian subsidiaries themselves and, especially, for their employees, including senior executives, who are often forced to take foreign sanctions restrictions into account in their activities.
11.04.2025
Taxis under SPIC rules: new localization requirements
Bill No. 481272-8 (amendments to Federal Law No. 580-FZ “Concerning the Organization of the Transport of Passengers and Baggage by Taxi…”), which proposes to toughen the requirements for vehicles used in taxi services, is about to undergo a second reading. The bill was initially submitted to the State Duma in January 2024 but was later sent back for revision. The official text of the amendments has not been published, but the key provisions were disclosed in press. Below is a summary of the possible key changes and their potential impact on the industry.
28.03.2025