The pandemic and quarantine measures have an extremely negative impact on business, especially the small and medium-sized enterprise segment, the service sector, entertainment and hospitality. Therefore, the question of what support measures are provided by the state and how to take advantage of them is of current importance for any business.

First of all, these are the anti-crisis support measures developed by the Russian government.

Tax benefits

The first one. For companies included in the list of systemically important organizations, as well as for small and medium-sized businesses - deferred payment of taxes and contributions, the period of transfer to the budget which falls on the period until May 1 (income tax, taxes on special modes of STS and UST, advance payments on taxes (excluding VAT) for the 1st quarter of 2020. - for the period of 6 months, advance payments for the 2nd quarter and the first half of 2020 - for 4 months).

Number two. For small and medium-sized businesses - deferred payment of insurance premiums, including accident insurance.

Number Three. For other taxpayers - a delay in submitting tax returns (terms on payment of taxes are not extended).

Number Four. Simplified deferral procedure for systemically important organizations of the Russian economy that are not small and medium sized businesses. Such companies may not provide documents of pledge, surety or bank guarantee if the delay is less than 6 months.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are organizations and private entrepreneurs with annual revenues (excluding VAT) and the number of employees not exceeding:

• 120 million rubles / 15 people - microbusiness;
• 800 million rubles / 100 people - small business;
• 2 billion rubles / 250 people - medium business.

Information in the register of small and medium-sized businesses are recorded by the tax authority automatically, there is no need to submit documents. You can check if your company is included in the register at nalog.ru.

How to get

Delayed payment of taxes for small and medium businesses in especially affected industries is provided without application. To receive a deferred payment of insurance premiums, you must submit an application to the tax authority. The form of this application was approved by the Order of the Federal Tax Service of Russia dated 16.12.2016 № MMV-7-8/683@. The simplified procedure for obtaining a deferral also applies to the taxpayer's application.

Postponement of lease payments

For companies in the most affected sectors of the economy (the list is contained in the Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation dd. 03.04.2020 No. 434, published on the official website of the Government) a delay is provided for the period from 01.04.2020 to 01.10.2020 for the payment of rent payments for non-residential premises owned by the state and municipalities. Such industries include air travel, culture, leisure and entertainment, hotel business, catering, etc.

How to get

In order to receive a grace period, an additional agreement with the tenant must be drawn up with the following conditions:

• Rent arrears are payable not earlier than 01.01.2021 and not later than 01.01.2023;
• deferral is provided in the amount of monthly rent for the period of validity of the increased readiness regime and in the amount of 50% of rent for the corresponding period from the date of termination of the increased readiness regime (emergency situation) to 01.10.2020;

there are no penalties for breach of rent payment.

Suspension of field tax audits

Measures have also been taken to reduce administrative pressure on business. Thus, by 01.06.2020 field inspections are suspended, including all actions to formalize the results of inspections (issuance of the act, decisions on the results of the inspection). Tax control measures related to direct contact with taxpayers (their employees, representatives), witnesses and other persons (interrogations, examinations, calls to the tax authorities, etc.) are excluded outside of field tax audits until 01.06.2020. In connection with such suspension, when receiving claims from the tax authorities, it is necessary to take into account the extension of the deadline for submission of documentation.

Bankruptcy moratorium

The moratorium applies to systemically important organizations and strategic enterprises, including the largest public and non-public companies in Russia, and is in force for 6 months. The list of organizations subject to the moratorium is published by the Federal Tax Service of Russia.

What to do to the debtor?

The main thing that the moratorium gives is time to stabilize the financial situation. Accordingly, it is necessary to conduct a financial and legal analysis to identify signs of insolvency, then develop a strategy and schedule of repayment of accounts payable, the conclusion of peace agreements and other measures aimed at maintaining relations with counterparties.

In addition, all actions and decisions to conclude transactions made by the organization during this period should be documented in detail. This will help to avoid subsidiary liability of the debtor's officials.

What to do to the creditor?

To analyze receivables and to judge overdue debts, as this is a mandatory step for filing an application for bankruptcy proceedings. In addition, it is necessary to monitor "Fedresurs" in order not to miss the bankruptcy case initiated by the debtor.

Interest-free loans for business

The Government of the Russian Federation regulates the issuance of interest-free loans for the sectors of the economy most affected by the decline in consumer demand, but in practice credit institutions do not rush to issue loans. According to the established policy of PJSC "Sberbank" and VTB, the amount of payments will be determined on the basis of the MRT according to salary registers. When refusing loans, banks refer to the lack of formal salary projects, which could ensure control over the actual receipt of money in the accounts of employees. Many have so far been unable to obtain preferential loans because the process of formalizing salary projects at companies' request has been delayed.

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