While the threat of COVID-19 spread is not on the decline, the Russian Government continues to update the measures taken or introduce new ones, trying to act ahead of the possible adverse consequences of COVID-19.
Further review of the most significant business support measures under the conditions of COVID-19, as well as actions taken to curb the spread of COVID-19, follows below.
1. IN THE ECONOMIC SPHERE
- The Federal Tax Service of Russian Federation is charged with providing a grace period (tax holidays) for taxpayers in the tourism and air transportation sectors, which carry out activities in the field of physical culture and sports, art, culture and cinematography for the payment of taxes, insurance contributions, which are due for the period up to May 1, 2020. The deadline for filing bankruptcy applications for persons who are in arrear to the budgets of the Russian budget system, state corporations, federal executive bodies and organizations under their jurisdiction will be postponed up to 01.05.2020, if they have not previously initiated a bankruptcy case. The assignment and carrying out of on-site tax inspections and planned on-site custom inspections have been suspended.
- Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced at a meeting of the Government of the Russian Federation about a three-month delay for small and medium businesses in payment of insurance premiums.
- The Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation must submit a draft Federal law to the Government of the Russian Federation by 20.03.2020 that provides for the refusal to charge penalties for tax arrears arising as a result of sending tax claims and making decisions on levying tax.
- The Ministry of economic development of the Russian Federation should (1) submit to the Government of the Russian Federation a draft Federal law providing for a moratorium on bankruptcy applications; (2) speed up the approval and submission to the Government of a draft Federal law introducing the procedure for restructuring the debts of organizations; (3) ensure that the draft Federal law No. 792949-7 «On amendments to the Federal law «On insolvency (bankruptcy)» regarding out-of-court bankruptcy of a citizen, introducing a simplified free debt settlement procedure for citizens with low incomes and insufficient property status to repay debts, is finalized for the second reading.
- Temporary delay of lease payments is provided for those who lease municipal and state property.
2. IN THE LABOR SPHERE
From March 20, 2020 temporary rules for issuing disability certificates, assigning and paying temporary disability benefits in the case of quarantine came into force. These rules apply to insured persons who have arrived in Russia from countries where cases of COVID-19 have been registered. These rules provide for applying for registration of a certificate of disability in the electronic form using the personal account of the insured person. To the application these documents are attached:
- scans of the pages of the passport of a Russian citizen certifying his / her identity;
- an electronic travel document (ticket) or an electronic copy of a travel document or other documents confirming stay in a foreign country;
- electronic copies of documents confirming cohabitation with persons who have arrived in Russia from countries where cases of COVID-19 have been registered.
The sick leave is issued for 14 calendar days. The validity period of this document is limited to 1.07.2020.
3. IN THE SPHERE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Presidium of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation and the Presidium of the Council of judges of the Russian Federation have temporarily changed the rules of the courts work in Russia. In particular:
- Personal reception of citizens in courts has been suspended;
- Restrictions on access to courts for persons who are not participants in court proceedings;
- It is recommended to submit documents only via electronic Internet reception offices of courts, or via post;
- Only urgent cases will be considered, such as cases on election, extension, cancellation or modification of a preventive measure, on protection of the interests of a minor or a person recognized as legally incompetent, in case of refusal of the legal representative from medical intervention necessary to save life, as well as cases in simplified and writ proceedings;
- If technically possible it is preferable to use videoconference systems for reviewing cases.
Arbitration courts will work in a similar mode without exception.
Used sources:
- Resolution of the Presidium of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of the Presidium of the Council of judges of the Russian Federation // http://www.supcourt.ru/files/28814/
- https://msk.arbitr.ru/node/15909
- http://government.ru/orders/selection/401/39204/#
- http://government.ru/orders/selection/401/39230/
- http://government.ru/orders/selection/401/39205/
- Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated 18.03.2020 No. 294 ″ On approval of Temporary rules for registration of medical certificates, appointment and payment of temporary disability benefits in the case of quarantine"