Expert comments on tax burden decrease

Social taxes should be decreased from the current 30 percent to 20-22 percent to improve competitiveness of Russia's economy, Vladimir Kashin, the deputy director of the state scientific institute for tax system development, told journalists today. He believes it is necessary to lower the tax burden in Russia taking into account experience of highly developed countries in this sphere.

According to him, incomes that do not exceed the minimal standard of living, should be tax free. Moreover, payments to the Pension Fund could be differentiated for men and women taking into account the average life expectancy in Russia.