PM Kasyanov: government's top priority is to reduce tax burden

The top priority of the country's prospective tax policy is to further reduce the tax burden, announced Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, opening the Thursday session of the Russian government. /The session is dedicated to the progress of the tax reform./ In 2003, the tax burden will be reduced to less than 31% of the gross domestic product. In 2000, the figure was at 34%, he reminded. According to his words, the current size of the tax burden corresponds with taxation norms accepted in countries of the European Union and countries contending for EU membership.

Kasyanov reminded the assembly that the tax reform in Russia introduced a uniform income tax rate, which had a good effect on the tax system and budget revenues. Earlier in the year, the country reduced the profit taxation rate for enterprises and cancelled a number of privileges of an individual and often unjust character. Russia is planning to cancel circulating taxes in 2003 and the sales tax in 2004.