Actual Problems of Development and Implementation of the Luxury Tax in Russia

Abstract

Taxation is the main source of state revenues necessary for the realization of socially significant goals within the whole state. The question of the introduction into the tax system of Russia of a luxury tax remains controversial for the last several years. The world practice shows that many states apply such tax as a way of replenishing the budget, and as a means of social justice, establishing direct dependence of the amount of tax on the amount of a person's income. However, there is no single approach in this issue: the states approach the problem differently, depending on the result desirable for the economy and the system of taxation of the state. In the Russian Federation, such an approach has not been worked out at the moment, since it is not possible to reach consensus on several issues: 1) The structural issue – a suitable tax model has not been found, its legal tax structure, the tax base, subject and object of taxation are unclear; 2) The economic issue – there is no economic feasibility of introducing a tax – will this measure lead to improvement of the country's economic situation? 3) The question of social (moral and ethical) – the balance between the interests of people with different levels of income is not found: how appropriate is the decision to put the tax in dependence on the amount of income? Will this be fair in relation to people who have earned their capital with their labor?