Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov instructed government agencies to prepare measures to implement tax-free shopping in Russia.

The Association of European Businesses together with the Russian Federal Antitrust Service (FAS) has developed and on April 19, 2016 officially presented the Code of Good Practice in the Pharmaceutical Industry (the “Code”).

On July 1, 2016 Federal Law No.122-FZ will become effective, supplementing the Russian Labor Code with provisions on the procedure for applying professional standards.

On April 5, 2016, Decree No.156 of the Russian President became effective, pursuant to which the Federal Migration Service will be liquidated and all its duties will be assigned to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs.

On April 1, 2016 Order No.ММВ-7-17/117@ of the Russian Federal Tax Service “On approval of the List of states/territories not providing exchange of information for tax purposes with the Russian Federation” dated 04.03.2016 (hereinafter the “list”) entered into force.

Appeals court did not recognize ruble devaluation to be grounds for amending the lease agreement

Russian Federal Tax Service sent to subordinate tax bodies to use in their work a Ruling of the Supreme Court concerning signs of breaking down business for tax evasion purposes

Over the past few years there has been a significant increase in the number of microfinance organizations in Russia (MFO). Some organizations were aiming at generating high income on interest and penalties, other organizations (primarily retailers) regarded MFOs as an instrument to increase sales of their products. 

Federal Antitrust Service worked out a legal position under which even if parties entered into a distribution agreement, actions of a manufacturer can be recognized as violation of antirust legislation by performing coordination of business activity

Russian Supreme Court confirmed that bad faith of first and second tier contractors cannot serve as grounds for denying VAT deductions.