Monitoring of the Federal Legislation dated 27.02.2004

Decision of the Federal Power Supply Commission of the Russian Federation No. 110-e/19 of December 26, 2003 on the Endorsement of the Procedure of Introduction to the Federal (All-Russia) Wholesale Market of Electric Power of Power Intensive Consumer Organisations

Specifies the procedure of adoption of decisions on the introduction of power intensive consumer organisations to the federal (all-Russia) wholesale market of electric power and their inclusion in the List of commercial organisations being the subjects of the federal (all-Russia) wholesale market of electric power. The issue of introduction of the power intensive consumer organisations to the wholesale market is examined if there are written applications to the Chairman of the Federal Power Supply Commission of the Russian Federation. The Decision lists the documents to be attached to the application.
Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on January 29, 2004. Reg. No. 5504.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-6-02/1372 of December 26, 2003 on the Procedure of Accrual of the Monthly Advance Payments for the Profit Tax in the I Quarter of 2004

Explains the procedure of recording in the taxpayer personal account cards of amounts of the monthly advance payments for the profit tax for the I quarter of 2004. The amount of the monthly advance payments for the profit tax for the I quarter of 2004 does not depend on the profit tax rates fixed from January 1, 2004.
The tax bodies shall accrue the amounts of the monthly advance payments due from taxpayers in the I quarter of 2004 independently on the basis of the profit tax declarations for 9 months of 2003.

Letter of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. OS-6-03/86@ of January 27, 2004 on the Particulars of Keeping of Purchase Ledgers and Sales Ledgers in the Estimates of the Value Added Tax

Before introduction of amendments by the Government of the Russian Federation to the rules of keeping of the logbooks of received and drawn up invoices, purchase ledgers and sales ledgers in the estimates of the value added tax endorsed by the Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 914 of December 2000, the taxpayers (tax agents) may supplement the purchase ledger and the sales ledger with the column envisaging the 18% tax rate to register received and drawn up invoices containing the 18% tax rate.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 44 of January 30, 2004 on the State Commodity Interventions at the Grain Market in 2004

Commodity interventions at the grain market shall be arranged by selling to organisations of the flour and groats industry of the harvest of 2002 purchased during state purchase interventions in 2002-2003.
The state commodity interventions at the grain market shall be arranged through tenders at exchanges. To compensate for the tender expenses of commodity exchanges, the exchange fee is fixed in the amount of not greater than 0.3% of the cost of the grain of the intervention fund sold at the tenders. The exchange fee is paid by the buyers of the grain and is not included in the grain selling price. The Decision fixes the starting prices to begin the state commodity interventions.

Regulation of the State Customs Committee of the Russian Federation and the Central Bank of Russia Nos. 01-100/1, 243-P of December 22, 2003 on the Application of the Instruction of the Bank of Russia and the State Customs Committee of Russia No. 86-I and No. 01-23/26541 of October 13, 1999 on the Procedure of Currency Control over the Receipts Obtained by the Russian Federation from the Export of Commodities and the Instruction of the Bank of Russia and the State Customs Committee of Russia No. 91-I and No. 01-11/28644 of October 4, 2000 on the Procedure of Currency Control over the Reasonableness of Payment for the Imported Commodities by Residents

The mentioned Instructions shall apply to all deals between residents and non-residents envisaging currency operations subject to currency control regardless of the declared on the basis of these deals commodity customs regime, except for the customs regimes of international customs transit, moving of supplies and other special customs regimes specified under Article 268 of the Customs Code of the Russian Federation.

      The deal certificate (import deal certificate) is presented to the customs bodies when placing the commodities under the declared customs regime according to the procedure defined in the Customs Code of the Russian Federation and adopted in compliance with other legal acts of the Russian Federation and legal acts of the State Customs Committee of Russia.

      The Regulation is entered into force 10 days after the day of its official publication.

      Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 2, 2004. Reg. No. 5517.

Decision of the Federal Commission for Securities Market No. 03-53/ps of December 26, 2003 on the Endorsement of the Forms of Reports of the Management Companies in Charge of the Trust Control of the Resources of Accumulated Pensions

Endorses the forms of reports of the management companies in charge of the trust control of the resources of accumulated pensions: of the deals of sale of securities at prices below/higher than the market ones, of investing of resources of accumulated pensions, of incomes from investing of resources of accumulated pensions.

      Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on January 29, 2004. Reg. No. 5498

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. VG-3-22/9@ of January 9, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Recommended Form of the Certificate of Registration of the Object (Objects) of Taxation for the Gambling Tax

Endorses the recommended Form 29-3 "Certificate of Registration of the Object (Objects) of Taxation for the Gambling Tax".

Letter of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. VG-6-02/1358@ of December 25, 2003 on the Submission of the Declaration for the Profit Tax

Explains that for the year 2003, the declaration for the profit tax from organisations is submitted by the taxpayers according to the form endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. VG-3-02/542 of December 7, 2001 (registered in the Ministry of Justice of Russia on December 17, 2001, No. 3084) taking into account the amendments introduced by the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. VG-3-02/358 of July 12, 2002 (registered in the Ministry of Justice of Russia on July 24, 2002, No. 3614).

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1368-U of January 9, 2004 on the List of Securities Forming the Lombard List of the Bank of Russia

The Lombard List of the Bank of Russia includes the following securities:

- state short-term couponless bonds;
- bonds of the federal loan with a permanent coupon income;
- bonds of the federal loan with a fixed coupon income;
- bonds of the federal loan with debt amortisation;
- bonds of the federal loan with a variable coupon income;
- bonds of the external bond loans of the Russian Federation;
- bonds of the state currency bond loan of 1999;
- bonds of the Bank of Russia.

The Direction is entered into force 10 days after the day of its official publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

      Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 2, 2004. Reg. No. 5519.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1366-U of December 30, 2003 on the Simultaneous Inspection of Investments of Authorised Banks and Their Resident Clients (Other Than Credit Organisations) into Securities Issued by Non-Residents as of January 1, 2004

No later than February 25, 2004, authorised banks are ordered to submit to the territorial institution of the Bank of Russia information according to the attached Form 0409404 "Information on Investments of Authorised Banks and Their Resident Clients (Other Than Credit Organisations) into Securities Issued by Non-Residents as of January 1, 2004".

      The Direction is entered into force 10 days after the day of its official publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

      Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on January 29, 2004. Reg. No. 5506.

Regulation of the Central Bank of Russia and the State Customs Committee of the Russian Federation Nos. 244-P, 01-100/2 of December 25, 2003 on the Procedure of Transfer of the Contracts Envisaging Export or Import of Commodities from the Authorised Banks Having Signed the Deal Certificates for These Contracts to Other Authorised Banks

To transfer the contract envisaging export or import of commodities from the authorised bank having singed the deal certificate for it in compliance with the requirements of Instruction No. 86-I or Instruction No. 91-I for settlement services in another authorised bank, the resident having concluded the contract shall close the earlier signed deal certificate and draw up the new deal certificate for the given contract in the other authorised bank.

      The Regulation specifies the procedure of closing of the deal certificate and handing over of the documents to transfer the contract for settlement services. Defines the particulars of the contract transfer in cases of reorganisation of the bank.

      The Regulation is entered into force 10 days after the day of its official publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

      Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on January 29, 2004. Reg. No. 5499.

Operative Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 8-T of January 22, 2004 on the Specimens of the Forms of Orders of the Head of the Interim Administration Managing a Credit Organisation

Provides the forms of orders on the assigning to the position, right of signature, distribution of duties, revision, inventory taking of the fixed assets and material assets, change of structure and endorsement of the manning table, responsibility for the keeping of the monetary resources, values, property, organisation of keeping of work-books, checking available unpaid documents and other.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-21/724 of December 29, 2003 on the Endorsement of the Form of the Tax Declaration for the Transport Tax and Its Filling

The endorsed forms of the declaration and the Instruction are obligatory for organisations with registered transport vehicles recognised as object of taxation: automobiles, motorcycles, scooters, buses and other self-propelled pneumatic and track-laying machines and mechanisms, airplanes, helicopters, ships, yachts, sail boats, cutters, snowmobiles, motor sleighs, motor boats, hydrocycles, non-self-propelled (tow) vessels, and other water and air transport vehicles registered according to established procedure.

      The tax declaration according to the Form KND 1152004 is submitted by the payers of the transport tax to the tax bodies at the place of location of the transport vehicles. The payment of the transport tax is arranged at the place of location of the transport vehicles within the time limits specified by the laws of the subjects of the Russian Federation.

      The endorsed form is used to submit the tax declarations with the time of submission expiring after the entry into force of the Order.

Order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation No. 221 of December 29, 2003 on the Endorsement of the Regulation on the Investigation, Classification and Registration of Transport Accidents on Internal Water Ways of the Russian Federation

Defines the procedure of investigation, classification and registration of transport accidents on internal water ways open for navigation except for the mouth portions of rivers with the maritime regime and vessels subject to the state registration in the State Register of Vessels and permitted for operation, as well as vessels engaged in navigation on internal water ways of the Russian Federation.

      The Order provides classification of transport accidents with vessels in operation having caused heavy injuries or death of people, vessel drowning or destruction and vessels damaging hydro structures, oil and oil product spills, fleet navigation obstacles, vessel stranding.

      Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on January 29, 2004. Reg. No. 5493.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1376-U of January 16, 2004 on the List, Forms and Procedure of Drawing up and Submission of the Forms of Reports of Credit Organisations to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation

Endorses the forms of reports of credit organisations and specifies the procedure of their drawing up and submission to the Bank of Russia, as well as defines the list of the forms of reports and other information of credit organisations submitted to the Bank of Russia.

      The Direction introduces the drawing up and submission by credit organisations to the Bank of Russia of 4 new forms of reports necessary for supervision of activities of credit organisations and for the balance of payments. Adds Forms 156 "Information on Investments of the Credit Organisation" (monthly), 157 "Information on Major Creditors (Depositors) of the Credit Organisations" (monthly), 405 "Information on the Payments in Operations with Securities between Residents and Non-Residents" (monthly) and 407 "Information on Money Transfers of Natural Persons from the Russian Federation and to the Russian Federation in Favour of Natural Persons" (quarterly).

      The new Direction does not include now 16 forms of reports submitted by credit organisations in the framework of supervision over their activities, currency regulation and currency control, as well as for the purposes of operative analysis of the monetary and credit indicators and assessment of the figures of the balance of payments and 4 forms of reports submitted by the branches of credit organisations in the framework of supervision over their activities. Increases the frequency of drawing up and submission of 8 forms of reports.

      The Direction is entered into force and applies to the drawing up and submission by credit organisations of the forms of reports and other information envisaged in the Direction from April 1, 2004.

      Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on January 23, 2004. Reg. No. 5488.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-22/58 of January 28, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Forms of Documents for the System of Taxation of Agricultural Producers

Endorses Forms: 26.1-1 "Application for the Switchover to the System of Taxation of Agricultural Producers", 26.1-2 "Notification of the Possibility of Application of the System of Taxation for Agricultural Producers", 26.1-3 "Notification of the Impossibility of Application of the System of Taxation for Agricultural Producers", 26.1-4 "Notification of the Refusal of Application of the System of Taxation for Agricultural Producers", 26.1-5 "Application for the Recalculation of the Tax Obligations and the Switchover to the Common Taxation Regime".

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-05/51 of January 27, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Form of Estimate of the Advance Payments for Insurance Contributions for Obligatory Pension Insurance and Its Filling Procedure

Endorses the form of the estimate of advance payments for insurance contributions for obligatory pension insurance for the entities making payments to natural persons: organisations independent entrepreneurs, natural persons not recognised as independent entrepreneurs, as well as its filling procedure.

The estimate is submitted by insurants to the territorial bodies of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia no later than April 20 (for the I quarter of the current estimate period), July 20 (for the six months of the current estimate period), October 20 (for the 9 months of the current estimate period).

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 5, 2004. Reg. No. 5528.

Order of the Ministry of Communication of the Russian Federation No. 2 of January 19, 2004 on the Requirements to the Content of the Description of the Network and the Means of Postal Communication

When describing the network and the means of postal communication, the applicants for the license for the services of postal communication must describe on the obligatory basis the list and working regimes of the objects of postal communication, their location, mail delivery routes, schedules and transport types used to deliver mail, as well as the list and functional description of the hardware and software means used to compile, receive, process, store, hand over, deliver postal dispatches.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 4, 2004. Reg. No. 5524.

Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 8n of January 21, 2004 on the Prolongation for the Year 2004 of the Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 15n of February 7, 2003

To improve the procedure of reduction of the limits of budget obligations, the Order of the Ministry of Finance of Russia No. 15n of February 7, 2003 on the organisation of the work of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation to implement the provisions of the Budget Code of the Russian Federation is prolonged for the year 2004.

      Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 4, 2004. Reg. No. 5522.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1370-U of January 9, 2004 on the Invalidation of Individual Normative Acts of the Bank of Russia

Pursuant to the endorsement by the Bank of Russia of the new list of securities forming the Lombard List of the Bank of Russia invalidates the Direction of the Bank of Russia No. 1208-U of November 18, 2002 on the on acceptance as a security of the credits of the Bank of Russia of the bonds of the federal loan with debt amortisation and the bonds of the federal loan with a variable coupon income sold by the Bank of Russia from its portfolio with obligatory redemption with amendments.

The Direction is entered into force 10 days after the day of its official publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 4, 2004. Reg. No. 5520.

Regulation of the Central Bank of Russia No. 246-P of January 5, 2004 on the Procedure of Drawing up of Consolidated Reports by the Parent Organisation of the Bank/Consolidated Group

Lists the reported data submitted by the participants of the bank/consolidated group to draw up consolidated reports. Defines the procedure of drawing up by the parent credit organisation of the cards of consolidation, logbook of mutual payments, logbook of adjustments, consolidated balance report and the consolidated report of profits and losses.

Specifies the particulars of describing in the consolidated reports of operations of sale of fixed assets between participants of the group, inclusion of the reported data of the participants of the group in the report of the foreign exchange exposure of the bank/consolidated group, calculation of the values of obligatory normatives of the group.

The Regulation is entered into force 10 days after the day of its official publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on January 29, 2004. Reg. No. 5494.

Federal Law No. 1-FZ of February 5, 2004 on the Amendments to the Federal Law on the Hypothec (Real Estate Mortgage)

Introduced amendments permit for the mortgaging of any land plots except for those out of circulation or restricted for circulation on the basis of a federal law, as well as those available in the state or municipal property. Assessment of the land plot for the purposes of mortgaging is carried out according to the legislation regulating assessment activities in the Russian Federation. The mortgage value of the land plot handed over in mortgage under a mortgage contract is fixed in agreement with the mortgagee.

In cases of handing over of the land plot under a lease contract, the lessee may mortgage his lease rights, however, within the period of the lease contract for such land plot and with owner consent.

If there are tightly bound real estate objects owned by the owner of the land plot on the mortgaged land plot out of lands of agricultural destination, the mortgage contract for such land plot may be drawn up only with simultaneous mortgaging of the tightly bound real estate objects.

The Federal Law is entered into force from the day of its official publication.

Order of the State Customs Committee of the Russian Federation No. 55 of January 20, 2004 on the Fixing of the Competent Customs Bodies in Charge of the Customs Operations for Certain Commodities Moved by Natural Persons

Lists the specialised customs bodies with authority restricted exclusively to the customs operations for commodities requiring the issue of the certificates of transport vehicles, chassis, self-propelled vehicles and spare parts for them moved by natural persons across the border, as well as operations of registration of the transport vehicles temporarily imported by natural persons.

The authority to carry out customs operations of registration of the temporarily imported transport vehicles for the natural persons arriving temporarily or living permanently in Moscow and the Moscow Province, St.Petersburg and the Leningrad Province is vested exclusively in the Butovo Customs Post of he Moscow Western Customs Office and the St.Petersburg Highway Customs Post of the North-West Excise Duty Customs Office.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 4, 2004. Reg. No. 5526.

Decision of the Federal Commission for Securities Market No. 03-47/ps of December 24, 2003 on the Specialists of the Securities Market

Introduces the new system of qualification requirements to the employees of professional participants of the securities market, organisations engaged in the management of investment funds, shared investment funds and non-state pension funds, as well as organisations engaged in activities of a specialised depositary of investment funds, shared investment funds and non-state pension funds.

Qualification certificates of the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia issued with restricted period of validity and not presented to put the "unlimited" stamp may be presented for it to the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia no later than January 1, 2005. After this date, the mentioned certificates are considered to be invalid. The holders of qualification certificates of specialists in corporate finances and specialists of specialised depositaries of the shared investment funds must confirm the necessary level of professional qualification.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 4, 2004. Reg. No. 5525.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-23/19 of January 16, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Form of the Annual Report of the Activities of a Foreign Organisation in the Russian Federation

Endorses the form of the annual report of activities of a foreign organisation in the Russian Federation (Form PO KND 1113020). The annual report is submitted through the permanent representation to the customs body at the place of location of the permanent representation.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 4, 2004. Reg. No. 5523.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 53 of February 6, 2004 on the Fixing of the Coefficient of Indexing of the Amount of the Monthly Insurance Payment under Obligatory Social Insurance against Industrial Accidents and Occupational Diseases

From January 1, 2004, the indexing factor for the amount of the monthly insurance payments in obligatory social insurance against industrial accidents and occupational diseases assigned before January 1, 2004 is fixed at 1.1.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 52 of February 6, 2004 on the Cost of Insurance Year for the Years 2002-2004

The cost of insurance year is fixed in the following amounts: Rbl 504 for the year 2002, Rbl 756 for the year 2003, Rbl 1,008 for the year 2004. Amounts of insurance contributions to the Pension Fund of Russia is fixed proceeding from the cost of insurance year in the form of a fixed payment.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 43 of January 30, 2004 on the Procedure of Application of the Anti-Dumping Duty for the Zinc-Coated Rolled Stock Originating in the Ukraine

Pursuant to the signing on January 23, 2004 of the Agreement between Russia and the Ukraine on the regulation of supplies to the Russian Federation of zinc-coated rolled stock originating in the Ukraine, the anti-dumping duty in the amount of 24.3% of the customs cost for the mentioned commodities is not collected during the period of the Agreement.

Order of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation No. 1151 of December 24, 2003 on the Endorsement of the Forms of the Notification of the Transborder Transportation of Waste and the Waste Transportation Document

Endorses the form of the notification of the transborder transportation of waste and the form of the waste transportation document.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 2, 2004. Reg. No. 5515.

Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 2n of January 13, 2004 on the Form of the Agency State Statistical Monitoring No. 2-S "Information on Activities of the Insurance (Medical Insurance) Organisation for the Year ___ " and the Instruction on the Procedure of Drawing up and Submission of the Form of the Annual Statistical Reports of Insurance (Medical Insurance) Organisations

As compared to the earlier available Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 95N of November 28, 2001, shifts the time limits for the annually submitted information according to Form 2-S by insurance (medical insurance) organisations - no later than June 1, (earlier, May 15).

Insurance organisations concluding contracts of obligatory insurance of civil responsibility of owners of transport vehicles shall submit such information no later than August 1. The mentioned organisations shall submit for the reported year information on insurance premiums and payments under the contracts of obligatory insurance of civil responsibility of owners of transport vehicles, of concluded contracts and contracts where obligations terminated in the current year and other information.

The blank forms of the annual statistical reports shall be provided in insurance (medical insurance) organisations independently. It is permitted to introduce changes to the typical form only to extend or reduce the columns taking into account the significance of the figures. Introduction of additional and removal of individual requisites from the typical form is not permitted. All requisites of the endorsed typical form must remain intact (including codes of lines, form name, sections, subsections etc.).

The Order is entered into force beginning with the report for the year 2003.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on January 29, 2004. Reg. No. 5505.

Operative Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 15-T of January 30, 2004 on the Opening of Bank Accounts by Credit Organisations

Explains that pursuant to the adoption of the Federal Law No. 185-FZ of December 23, 2003, legal entities and independent entrepreneurs do not need to present to the credit organisation the documents confirming the registration of the given entities as the payers of contributions to the state non-budgetary funds when opening bank accounts.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 61 of February 7, 2004 on the Rates of Import Customs Duties for Fifth-Wheel Tractors and Motor Transport Vehicles

The rate of the import customs duty for fifth-wheel tractors and motor transport vehicles fixed in the amount of 5% of the customs cost shall be applied from January 15, 2004 on the permanent basis.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 56 of February 6, 2004 on the General Rules of Preparation, Organisation and Holding of the Meetings of Creditors and Sessions of Committees of Creditors by the Bankruptcy Commissioners

The bankruptcy commissioner shall present for consideration by the meeting of creditors materials on the financial standing, debtor bankruptcy procedures and other materials permitting to adopt decisions on the issues of the agenda. The protocol of the meeting of creditors is drawn up in duplicate and is signed by the bankruptcy commissioner. One copy of the protocol is sent by the bankruptcy commissioner to the court within 5 days from the date of the meeting of creditors. If the meeting of creditors is arranged by the person demanding its convocation, the protocol of the meeting of creditors is drawn up in triplicate, with the first copy being sent to the court, the second - to the bankruptcy commissioner no later than within 5 days from the date of the meeting of creditors, and the third copy preserved with the person having arranged the meeting.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 55 of February 6, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Rules of Handing over of Accumulated Pensions Financing the Accumulated Part of the Labour Pension from One Non-State Pension Fund to Another Non-State Pension Fund or from a Non-State Pension Fund to the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation and Determination of Their Cost

Defines the rules of handing over of accumulated pensions financing the accumulated part of the labour pension from one non-state pension fund to another non-state pension fund or from the fund to the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation, procedure of determination of their cost, as well as the procedure of notification of the insured of the available reasons of transfer of accumulated pensions.

When handing over the accumulated pensions, the fund shall be obliged to hand out (send by mail) to the insured an excerpt of the condition of his pension account certified with the signature of the official in charge and the seal indicating the amount to be transferred, as well as to take measures to secure the accumulated pensions due for transfer.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. VG-3-22/77@ of January 8, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Form of the Application of the Registration of the Object (Objects) of Taxation for the Gambling Tax

Endorses Form 29-1 "Application for the Registration of the Object (Objects) of Taxation for the Gambling Tax". The taxpayer must register in the tax body at the place of his registration as a taxpayer each object of taxation no later than two working days in advance of the date of installation of each object of taxation.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 6, 2004. Reg. No. 5533.

Order of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation No. 40 of January 22, 2004 on the Endorsement of the List of Free Services Provided by the State Plant Quarantine Service of the Russian Federation

The list includes 18 services provided by the State Plant Quarantine Service of the Russian Federation free of charge. In particular, the mentioned Service shall define free of charge the quarantine phytosanitary condition of the products subject to quarantine measures in the luggage and belongings of passengers, in postal dispatches and shall draw up phytosanitary documentation. Besides, it shall provide free advice on the issues of revealing of quarantine objects and measures to combat them, the rules and norms of ensuring plant quarantine at import, export, production, transportation, use, storage, sale of the products subject to quarantine measures.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 6, 2004. Reg. No. 5530.

Instruction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 110-I of January 16, 2004 on the Obligatory Normatives for the Banks

Changes significantly the requirements to obligatory normatives for the banks specified in the Instruction of the Bank of Russia No. 1 of October 1, 1997 on the procedure of regulation of activities of banks.

The new Instruction does not contain now seven obligatory normatives: obligatory normatives of the maximum risk per one creditor (depositor) (Normative N8), maximum credit risk per one stock holder (participant) (Normative N9), maximum risk per one insider (Normative N10), maximum amount of attracted monetary deposits of the population (Normative N11), maximum bank obligations to non-resident banks and non-resident financial organisations (Normative N11.1), use of the bank own resources (capital) to purchase stocks (shares) of a single legal entity (Normative N12.1), risk of own bill liabilities (Normative N13) and liquidity of operations with precious metals (Normative N14).

The Instruction reduces the values of obligatory normatives: momentary liquidity (N2) from 20% to 15% and the current liquidity (N3) - from 70% to 50%.

Changes the method of estimation of the normative of sufficiency of own resources (N1). Credit requirements to the banks of the "group of developing countries" are classified according to risk groups depending on the time of placing of the monetary resources (risk group III for up to 90 calendar days, risk group IV for over 90 calendar days). Risk group IV includes credits and deposits (including those in precious metals) and other resources placed in the resident banks of the Russian Federation for up to 30 days. The given risk group has the risk coefficient figure of 50% (earlier, 70%).

The estimate of Normative N6 "Maximum Risk per One Borrower or Group of Interconnected Borrowers" besides credits provided by the bank to the borrower includes also securities of the sales and investment portfolios issued by the borrower (contractor) if they are not excluded from the capital estimate.

The Instruction specifies that estimation of obligatory normatives is carried out by the banks on the daily basis as of the end of the operative day. Territorial institutions of the Bank of Russia may request information on observation of obligatory normatives from the banks within the month. The Instruction introduces the requirement to the banks to inform the territorial institutions (together with the monthly reports) of available facts of violation of obligatory normatives during the month.

The Bank of Russia may apply measure of intervention to the banks in cases of failure to observe the obligatory normatives for the total of six and more operative days within any 30 operative days in succession.

The Instruction is entered into force from April 1, 2004.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 6, 2004. Reg. No. 5529.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1383-U of February 3, 2004 on the Procedure of Handing out and Supplies of Money for Numismatic Purposes by the Bank of Russia

Specifies the procedure of handing out by the Bank of Russia to resident credit organisations and supplies to non-resident credit organisations of money for sale at the numismatic market. The numismatic money is handed out at the sales prices of the Bank of Russia including actual expenses for production, nominal cost of coins of non-precious metals, actual expenses for the making of the souvenir package for the sets of coins, delivery expenses, as well as taxes, fees and other obligatory payments envisaged in the legislation of the Russian Federation.

The Direction is entered into force 10 days after the day of its official publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Operative Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 16-T of February 3, 2004 on the Recommendations on the Content and Organisation of the Web Sites of Credit Organisations in the Internet

In view of the changing of the composition of the published reports of credit organisations and bank/consolidated groups, conveys the new recommendations on the creation and organisation of representations of credit organisations in the Internet.

Thus, a credit organisation is recommended to place on the site information of accounting and financial reports for the two most recent years according to the forms provided in the Direction of the Bank of Russia No. 1270-U of April 14, 2003.

Official Report of the Deposit Insurance Agency of February 6, 2004.

The rate of insurance contributions of the banks in the Obligatory Deposit Insurance Fund is fixed in the amount of 0.15% of the estimate base for the estimated period (calendar quarter of the year).

Decision of the Higher Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation No. 12358/03 of November 19, 2003

The applicant challenged the explanation provided by the Ministry of Taxation of Russia in Item 9 of the Methodology Recommendations on the application of Chapter 26.2 "Simplified System of Taxation" of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-22/706 of December 10, 2002. According to the applicant, the available judicial practice does not permit the municipal unitary enterprises to calculate and pay the taxes according to the simplified system of taxation.

The Higher Arbitration Court came to the conclusion that the challenged norm does not comply with the Tax Code of the Russian Federation, since as compared to the earlier available Federal Law No. 222-FZ of December 29, 1995 on the simplified system of taxation, registration and reporting of small businesses, Chapter 26.2 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation does not contain any mention of the fact that the simplified system of taxation is applied only to small businesses.

The challenged item is recognised as invalid inasmuch as it prevents the switching over of municipal unitary enterprises to the simplified system of taxation proceeding from the meaning attached to it by the tax bodies.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 67 of February 9, 2004 on the Amendments to the Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 379 of June 30, 2003

The amendments are introduced in the Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation specifying additional restrictions on the investing of resources of accumulated pensions in individual classes of assets and defining the maximum share of individual classes of assets in the investment portfolio.

The shares of assets in the investment portfolio built at the expense of resources handed over to the Pension Fund of Russia in trust control by the management company and in the investment portfolio of a non-state pension fund engaged in obligatory pension insurance are defined in percent of their cost (in roubles) proceeding from the amount of resources on accounts and deposits in credit organisations and the market cost of securities forming the appropriate investment portfolio.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 64 of February 9, 2004 on the Amendments to the Decisions of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 92 of February 8, 2002 and No. 93 of February 8, 2002

The changes are introduced in the Decisions of the Government of the Russian Federation specifying the norms of expenses of organisations for compensations for the use of personal cars and motorcycles for business trips, as well as for the daily and field allowances where such expenses are qualified as other expenses pertaining to production and sales in the determination of the taxable base for the profit tax from organisations.

The Decision specifies that if the system of taxation for agricultural producers is applied (uniform agricultural tax), the mentioned norms shall be used from January 1, 2004 to determine expenses for the paying out of compensation for the use of personal cars and motorcycles for business trips, as well as for the daily and field allowances.

The Decision is entered into force from the day of its official publication and applies to legal relations emerging from January 1, 2004.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 60 of February 6, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Forms of the Typical Contract on Obligatory Pension Insurance between a Non-State Pension Fund and the Insured, Forms of Applications of the Insured to Transfer to a Non-State Pension Fund and Transfer to the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation

The typical form of the contract defines the subject of the contract, the rights and duties of the fund, the insured, procedure of registration of the resources of accumulated pensions and investing of the given resources by the management company. Regulates in detail the procedure of assigning and paying out of the accumulated part of the labour pension to the insured and making payments to his successors. The contract is concluded for an indefinite period of time.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1375-U of January 16, 2004 on the Rules of Drawing up and Submission of Reports of Credit Organisations to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation

Specifies the obligatory for the credit organisations (their branches), parent credit organisations of the bank/consolidated groups general rules of drawing up and submission of accounting and statistical reports to the Bank of Russia.

Credit organisations must draw up and submit to the Bank of Russia reports according to the "List of Forms of Reports and Other Information of Credit Organisations Submitted to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation" specified in the Direction of the Bank of Russia No. 1376-U of January 16, 2004.

The forms of reports must contain all envisaged for them indicators. If the data for one or more figures is not available, the zero is entered in the appropriate column (line) for digital indicators and a dash for the symbols. If the form of the report contains only zeros, credit organisations shall send to the Bank of Russia a report of absence of appropriate data, or report with zero indicators. The forms of reports must be filled out according to the form attached to the Direction. The blank forms of reports are provided in the credit organisations independently.

The Direction is entered into force 10 days after the day of its official publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 10, 2004. Reg. No. 5534.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-23/1 of January 5, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Form of the Tax Declaration for the Profit Tax from a Foreign Organisation and on Amendments to Its Filling Instruction

Endorses the new form of the tax declaration for the profit tax from a foreign organisation (KND 1151038).

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on January 29, 2004. Reg. No. 5495.

Letter of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation No. 02-18/07-565 of January 28, 2004 on the Filling of the Reverse Side of the Disability Sheet

Pursuant to the introduction from January 1, 2004 of the new procedure of calculation of the temporary disability allowance and the maternity allowance, explains the procedure of filling of the reverse side of the disability sheet. Thus, section "Information on the Earnings" and column "Months" should indicate the estimated period of the earnings taken into account (12 calendar months preceding the month of the occurred disability, maternity leave, or less than three months for the appropriate employees getting the allowance in the amount not greater than the minimum amount of labour remuneration for the full calendar month).

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 74 of February 12, 2004 on the Fixing of the Cost of Living in Per Capita Figures and for the Main Sociodemographic Groups of Population for the Whole of the Russian Federation for the IV Quarter of 2003

Fixes the cost of living for the whole of the Russian Federation for the IV quarter of 2003 in the amount of Rbl 2,143 per capita, Rbl 2,341 for able-bodied population, Rbl 1,625 for pensioners, Rbl 2,113 for children

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 72 of February 10, 2004 on the Amendments to the List of Commodities Subject to Obligatory Certification, the List of Products with Compliance Certified with the Declaration of Compliance and on Invalidation of the List of Works and Services Subject to Obligatory Certification

Significant changes are introduced in the list of commodities subject to obligatory certification endorsed by the Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1013 of August 13, 1997. From October 1, 2004, medicines are exempted from the obligatory certification and the medicines (codes 931000-937000 OKP) registered according to established procedure and consisting of mixed and unmixed products for use in therapy packed as dosed medicines or in retail trade package must have the declaration of compliance. According to the introduced changes, perfumery is exempted from obligatory certification.

The Decision specifies that the products excluded from Sections "Rubber Technical and Asbestos Products" and "Optical Instruments and Equipment" are exempted from obligatory compliance confirmation. Invalidates the list of works and services subject to obligatory certification.

The list of commodities requiring declaration of compliance now does not include compressed natural power gas for internal combustion engines. The mentioned list includes fuses, plugs, sockets, equipment for trade enterprises, beer, malt drinks, mineralised waters, as well as some types of printed items.

Order of the Ministry of Public Health of the Russian Federation No. 31 of January 30, 2004 on the Partial Invalidation of Item 2.5 of the Industry Sector Standard "Rules of Release (Sale) of Medicines in Apothecary Organisations. Main Provisions" Endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Public Health of Russia No. 80 of March 4, 2003

The mentioned item is partially invalidated pursuant to the adoption of the Decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation No. GKPI 03-607 of September 11, 2003, thus lifting the earlier available restrictions for the apothecary kiosks and shops to sale items of medical destination, disinfectants, items of personal hygiene, optical items, natural and artificial mineral waters, medicinal, child and dietetic foodstuffs, cosmetics and perfumery.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 11, 2004. Reg. No. 5541.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-21/726 of December 29, 2003 on the Endorsement of the Form of the Tax Declaration for the Payment for the Use of Water Objects and Its Filling Instruction

Endorses the new form of the tax declaration for the payment for the use of water objects (Form KND 1151032) and its filling Instruction.

The Order is entered into force beginning with the tax period for January (I quarter) 2004.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 11, 2004. Reg. No. 5539.

Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 14n of January 28, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Procedure of Providing of Information by Insurers of Conclusion, Prolongation and Termination of the Contract of Obligatory Insurance of the Liability of a Specialised Depositary and the Management Companies

Insurers shall send the mentioned information to the Ministry of Finance of Russia within three working days from the date conclusion, prolongation and termination of the appropriate contract. Information is submitted on paper medium according to the attached form together with the cover letter drawn up in free form.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 11, 2004. Reg. No. 5538.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 73 of February 12, 2004 on the Amendments to the Decisions of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 318 of March 15, 1997, No. 346 of June 19, 2003 and No. 395 of June 30,

Application of the insured to choose the investment portfolio (management company) submitted before December 31, 2003 must be considered in the Pension Fund of Russia before March 1, 2004. In case of refusal to satisfy the application of the insured to choose the investment portfolio (management company), or the application remains unconsidered, the Pension Fund of Russia shall notify of it the insured no later than March 31, 2004.

The Pension Fund of Russia shall provide for the transfer before March 31, 2004 of accumulated pensions to the selected by the insured management companies and the state management company according to the procedure specified in the contracts of trust control of the resources of accumulated pensions. The transfer applies to the amounts of insurance contributions financing the accumulated part of the labour pension received in the Pension Fund of Russia during the year 2002 and the net financial result obtained from their temporary placement.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 71 of February 10, 2004 on the Creation, Reorganisation and Liquidation of the Federal State Enterprises

Decisions on the creation, reorganisation and liquidation of the federal state institutions are taken by the Government of the Russian Federation on the basis of draft acts prepared by the federal bodies of executive power in coordination with the Ministry of Property Relations of Russia, Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, Ministry of Labour of Russia and the Ministry of Finance of Russia. The draft decision must contain the subject and goals of activities of the institution, as well as the limiting employee payroll and the amount of allocations to maintain the created (reorganised) institution within the limits of resources envisaged for these purposes in the federal budget. The charter of the federal state institution is endorsed by the federal body of executive power in charge of the coordination and regulation of activities in the appropriate sphere (sphere of management) in coordination with the Ministry of Property Relations of Russia and the Ministry of Finance of Russia.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1378-U of January 16, 2004 on the Adjustment of the Acts of the Bank of Russia

Pursuant to the adoption of the Instruction of the Bank of Russia No. 110-I of January 16, 2004 on the obligatory normatives for the banks entering into force from April 1, 2004 invalidates the Instruction of the Bank of Russia No. 1 of October 1, 1997 on the procedure of regulation of activities of the banks with amendments, as well as individual operative directions on the application of this Instruction.

The Direction is entered into force from April 1, 2004.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 83 of February 14, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Rules of Providing Budget Loans from the Federal Budget to the Subjects of the Russian Federation to Cover Temporary Cash Deficits

The temporary cash deficit emerging in the execution of the consolidated budget of the subject of the Russian Federation is defined as under-received in a certain period of the fiscal year incomes to implement the expenses envisaged in the budget of the subject of the Russian Federation taking into account the sources of financing of the budget deficit. If such deficit is available or forecasted, the body of executive power of the subject of the Russian Federation may apply to the Ministry of Finance of Russian Federation to get the budget loan. Budget loans are provided for not more than 6 months within the fiscal year. The budget loan is not provided to the subject of the Russian Federation with an overdue debt in the earlier obtained budget loans.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 82 of February 14, 2004 on the Procedure and Terms of Financing in 2004 of Preventive Measures Aimed at Reduction of Industrial Injuries and Occupational Diseases of Employees

Defines the procedure and terms of partial financing in 2004 of preventive measures aimed at reduction of industrial injuries and occupational diseases of insurant employees including the financing of periodic medical examinations and preventive treatment, in particular, sanatoria and resort treatment of employees engaged in works with adverse and hazardous factors. The list of preventive measures is endorsed by the Ministry of Labour of Russia in coordination with the Social Insurance Fund of Russia and serves as grounds for the working out of the plan of insurant preventive measures.
The amount of resources allocated by the insurant for the partial financing of preventive measures may not be greater than 20% of the amounts of insurance contributions transferred by this insurant to the Social Insurance Fund of Russia during the year 2003. Decision on the partial financing or refusal of it is taken by the Social Insurance Fund of Russia within 15 days from the day of submission of the application by the insurant. Applications are accepted before July 1, 2004.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 80 of February 14, 2004 on the Measures to Implement the Federal Law on the Federal Budget for the Year 2004

To implement the Federal Law on the federal budget for the year 2004, distributes the duties and issues orders to the federal bodies of executive power. Execution of the federal budget is implemented according to the summary budget list of the federal budget for the year 2004. Any amendments to the budget list inspiring creditor indebtedness reducing expenses is not permitted.
The recipient of the resources of the federal budget, when concluding contracts for supplies of commodities, works, services to be covered at the expense of the resources of the federal budget, may envisage advance payments. The contracts for communication services, subscription for printed matter, study at professional development courses, purchase of air and railway tickets, tickets for the urban and suburban transportation, as well as accommodations for sanatoria and resort treatment, may envisage advance payments in the amount of 100% or 30% for other contracts.
For the year 2004, there is a limit for provided tax credits, respites, extension schedules for the payment of federal taxes and fees fixed in the amount not greater than Rbl 750 million. The Decision lists the acts of the Government of the Russian Federation prolonged for the year 2004 pursuant to the adoption of the Law on the federal budget for the year 2004. In particular, prolongs the rules of paying out in 2003 to individual categories of citizens of preliminary compensation (compensation) for the deposits in the Savings Bank of the Russian Federation and some insurance organisations being guaranteed savings.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 77 of February 13, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Typical Insurance Rules of a Non-State Pension Fund Engaged in Activities in Obligatory Pension Insurance

The rules define the procedure and terms of execution by a non-state pension fund of obligations under the contracts of obligatory pension insurance concluded by this fund and the insured in favour of this person or his heirs. The execution of the duties by the find implies the assigning and paying out to the insured of the accumulated part of the labour pension, paying out of accumulated pension to the heirs of the insured, handing over of accumulated pensions to another insurer. The Decision specifies that the fund secures its liabilities with all the property owned by it.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1377-U of January 16, 2004 on the Invalidation of Individual Normative Acts of the Bank of Russia

Pursuant to the adoption of the Directions of the Bank of Russia No. 1375-U and No. 1376-U of January 16, 2004 specifying the rules of drawing up and submission of reports by credit organisations to the Bank of Russia, as well as the list, forms and procedure of submission of these reports, invalidates individual normative acts of the Bank of Russia. In particular, invalidates the Direction of the Bank of Russia No. 7-U of October 24, 1997 on the procedure of drawing up and submission of reports by credit organisations to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.
The Direction is entered into force from April 1, 2004 and must be published officially in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 84 of February 16, 2004 on the Amendments to the Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 914 of December 2, 2000

Amends the rules of keeping of logbooks of received and drawn up invoices, purchase ledger and sales ledger in the estimates of the value added tax. The mentioned rules are being brought in compliance with the Federal Law No. 117-FZ of July 7, 2003 having entered into force from January 1, 2004. The new wording is provided for the forms of the purchase ledger and the sales ledger. The mentioned forms include the column envisaging the 18% tax rate and preserve the column for the calculation of the 20% VAT rate.

The changes were also made to the form of the invoice. Thus, the "Seal", "Issued by" and the "Signature of the Seller Representative in Charge" are omitted.

The Decision specifies that invoices issued when selling commodities (carrying out works, rendering services) by organisations and independent entrepreneurs for cash must be registered in the sales ledger. In this case, the readings of control tapes of cash registers are registered in the sales ledger without the amounts of appropriate invoices.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 51 of February 6, 2004 on the Amendments to and Invalidation of Some of the Decisions of the Government of the Russian Federation Pertaining to Improvement of State Management in the Russian Federation

The amendments are introduced pursuant to the abolishment from July 1, 2003 of the Federal Border Guard Service of the Russian Federation, Federal Agency of Governmental Communication and Information of the President of the Russian Federation and the Federal Service of the Tax Police. The functions of the Federal Border Guard Service are handed over to the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation incorporating the Border Guard Service. The functions of the Federal Agency of Governmental Communication and Information of the Russian Federation are handed over to the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation and the Service of Special Communication and Information. The functions of the Federal Service of the Tax Police are handed over to the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances and the Federal Service for Economic and Tax Crimes of the Ministry of Internal Affairs o f the Russian Federation.

Order of the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances No. 306 of December 31, 2003 on the Endorsement of the Typical Internal Rules of the Bodies in Charge of Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances

The divisions, territorial bodies and organisations of the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances shall have a strictly regulated daily routine stipulated by the particulars of service activities and operative situation, time of the year, local conditions and other specific circumstances. The typical rules shall define for the personnel, federal state servants and employees of the bodies of the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances the length of the working week, length, beginning, end and procedure of registration of the service (working) time, time of breaks for rest and meals, on-duty (shift) schedules in cases of shift work, procedure of work in excess of the specified service (working) time, as well as on week-ends and holidays.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5550.

Order of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation No. 23 of January 14, 2004 on the Organisation of Reception, Registration, Record Keeping and Consideration in the Bodies of the Federal Security Service of Reports of Crimes and Other Criminal Information

Information of crimes may be received in the security bodies in the form of applications, surrender, reports of committed or anticipated crimes, other sources. The body of investigation, investigator must accept and verify the report of any committed or anticipated crime and take the decision on it within the scope of authority specified in the Code of Criminal Procedures of the Russian Federation no later than within 3 days from the day of receiving of the mentioned report. The applicant gets the document of reception of the report of the crime with information on the person having accepted it, as well as the date and time of reception.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5548.

Decision of the Federal Commission for Securities Market No. 03-51/ps of December 24, 2003 on the Amendments to the Regulation on the Particulars of Issue of Bonds and Disclosing of Information by International Financial Organisations on the Territory of the Russian Federation Endorsed by the Decision of the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia No. 03-24/ps of April 24, 2003

Specifies that the bond prospectus must indicate the time specified in the decision of issue (additional issue) of the bonds when the delay of execution of obligations by the issuer is considered to be a significant violation of the terms of the concluded loan contract. The quarterly report is submitted by the issuer to the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia no later than within 90 days from the end of the reported quarter.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5547.

Decision of the State Standards Committee of the Russian Federation No. 4 of January 30, 2004 on the National Standards of the Russian Federation

From July 1, 2003, adopted earlier by the State Standards Committee of Russia state and interstate standards are recognised as national standards. Before the entry into force of the appropriate technical regulations, the requirements to the products, production processes, operation, storage, transportation, sale and utilisation specified in the mentioned national standards must be executed on the obligatory basis only when pertaining to the protection of the life and health of citizens, property of natural persons or legal entities, state or municipal property, protection of the environment, life and health of animals and plants, prevention of actions misleading the buyers.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5546.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 89 of February 17, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Fundamentals of Price Forming in the Sphere of Housing and Communal Services

Defines the main principles and methods of price forming for the services in the maintenance and repair of dwelling space, dwelling space leasing and tariff rates for communal services, as well as the rules of regulation and application of these prices and tariff rates.

Regulation applies to the prices for the dwelling space (including the prices for the services in the maintenance, repair of the housing space and leasing) and the tariff rates for communal services (including tariff rates for the services in water supplies, water disposal, central heating, hot water supplies, electric power supplies, supplies of solid fuels, services in network and liquefied gas supplies, gas supplies in flasks).

To fix the prices and tariff rates, the method of economic substantiation is used. In addition, there is a method of indexing that changes the prices and tariff rates fixed using the method of substantiation with deflator indexes fixed by the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia.

It is not permitted to apply within one estimated period of regulation different methods of fixing of prices and tariff rates for organisations engaged in the same regulated types of activities.

Control over application of prices and tariff rates, including the substantiation of their amount, is vested in the bodies in charge of the regulation.

Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 13n of January 28, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Procedure of Disclosing of Information on the Structure and Composition of Stock-Holders (Participants) of a Specialised Depositary and Management Companies

Specialised depositary and management companies must submit on the annual basis no later than July 1 of the year following the reported one information according to the attached form on the structure and composition of stock-holders (participants) with the share in the registered capital of the specialised depositary or management company being at least 1 percent. The Ministry of Finance of Russia shall provide for the disclosing of provided information on the Internet site of the Ministry of Finance of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 17, 2004. Reg. No. 5561.

Instruction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 109-I of January 14, 2004 on the Procedure of Adoption by the Bank of Russia of the Decision on the State Registration of Credit Organisations and Issue of Licenses for Bank Operations

Specifies the particulars of the procedure of adoption by the Bank of Russia of the decision on the state registration of credit organisations and issue of licenses for bank operations.

The credit organisation may be created on the basis of any property form as an economic company (joint-stock company, limited-liability or additional-responsibility company). The founders of the credit organisation must pay 100% of the declared registered capital of the credit organisation specified in the charter of the credit organisation within one month from the day of receiving of the notification of the state registration. For the opening of the branch, the credit organisation pays the fee of 100 minimum amounts of labour remuneration as of the moment of issue of the notification of the Bank of Russia of the opening of the branch of the credit organisation.

The Instruction applies to legal relations in the sphere of state registration of credit organisations and issue of licenses for bank operations if by the day of its entry into force, the Bank of Russia did not take decisions envisaged in the Instruction as a result of consideration of the documents submitted by credit organisations and/or other entities.

The Instruction is entered into force 10 days after the moment of its publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5551.

Decision of the Ministry of Labour of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 1/1n of January 12, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Procedure of Calculation and Confirmation of the Length of State Service Permitting to Get the Length-of-Service Pension of the Federal State Servants and Determination of the Compliance of Positions with the Periods of Service (Work) in Them Included in the Length of State Service

The endorsed procedure regulates the issues of calculation of the length of state service permitting to get the length-of-service pension of the federal state servants, confirmation of this length of service, determination of compliance of positions, inclusion in the length of state service permitting to assign the length-of-service pension.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5549.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 90 of February 18, 2004 on the Endorsement of the List of Commodities Produced Using the Property of Organisations Not Exempted from the Property Tax from Organisations and/or Sold by Such Organisations

The mentioned list includes automobile tyres, hunting rifles, yachts, motor boats (other than special-purpose ones), products of the ferrous and non-ferrous metal industry (other than second-hand raw materials and metal items), precious stones and precious metals, fur items (other than those for children), high-quality items of crystal and porcelain, caviar, finished delicacies of valuable fishes and sea products.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1382-U of February 2, 2004 on the Amendments to the Regulation of the Bank of Russia No. 205-P of December 5, 2002 on the Rules of Accounting Work in Credit Organisations Located on the Territory of the Russian Federation

The Chart of Accounts in credit organisations is extended to include new passive Balance Accounts 30126, 30226, 30410, 30607, 60405 "Reserves for Possible Losses". Balance Accounts 50212 and 50506 "Reserves for Devaluated Securities" are excluded.

The Direction changes the names of the Balance Accounts 20321, 47425, 47702, 50709, 50809, 60105, 60206, 60324. In the new wording, their name is "Reserves for Possible Losses". The mentioned accounts are intended to register the flow (forming (accrual), recovery (reduction)) of reserves for possible losses. Analytical records are arranged on the personal accounts opened for each contractor of a credit organisation under the deal in the framework of concluded contracts. The records are maintained in the currency of the Russian Federation.

Appropriate changes are introduced in the description of the mentioned accounts, scheme of analytical records of incomes and expenses and the report of profits and losses. The changes are also introduced in the balance report of the credit organisation and the procedure of accounting work for investments in securities and operations with securities.

The Direction is entered into force 10 days after the day of its official publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 19, 2004. Reg. No. 5571.

Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation No. 63 of February 4, 2004 on the Amendment to the Interim Procedure of Exchange of the Passport of the Citizen of the USSR for the Passport of the Citizen of the Russian Federation for the Citizen Registered at the Place of Residence in One of the Subjects of the Russian Federation and Actually Living or Registered at the Place of Residence in Another Subject of the Russian Federation Endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia No. 347 of May 24, 2003

The changes are introduced in view of the prolongation of the time of replacement of the passports of the citizens of the USSR for the passports of the citizens of the Russian Federation till July 1, 2004.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 19, 2004. Reg. No. 5566.

Order of the State Customs Committee of the Russian Federation No. 160 of February 6, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Procedure of Certification of the Specialists of the Customs Registration

Defines the qualification requirements to the specialist of the customs registration and specifies the procedure of passing of the qualification examination to get the qualification certificate of the specialist of the customs registration. Lists the documents submitted together with the application for the certification.

The qualification examination is arranged by the regional customs departments simultaneously on the whole territory of the Russian Federation at least two times in a calendar year.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 19, 2004. Reg. No. 5565.

Order of the Ministry for Antimonopoly Policy of the Russian Federation No. 33 of January 30, 2004 on the Amendments to the Regulation on the Procedure of Approval of the Deals Pertaining to the Purchase of Assets or Stocks (Shares in the Registered Capital) of Financial Organisations, As Well As the Rights Permitting to Define the Terms of Entrepreneurial Activities or Implement the Functions of the Executive Body of a Financial Organisation Endorsed by the Order of the Ministry for Antimonopoly Policy of Russia No. 210 of February 28, 2001

Specifies that the request for the purchase by legal entities and/or natural persons of more than 20% of the stocks (shares in the registered capital) in cases of changing of the registered capital of a financial organisation is submitted to the antimonopoly bodies by the person (persons) buying the stocks (shares in the registered capital).

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 17, 2004. Reg. No. 5560.

Decision of the Federal Commission for Securities Market No. 03-48/ps of December 24, 2003 on the Procedure of Qualification of Securities

The endorsed procedure regulates the relations emerging when the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia qualifies the securities. For the purposes of qualification, the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia may check the legal entities whose activities at the securities market are regulated by the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia, as well as demand submission of the documents necessary for the solving of the qualification issues. No later than within 3 days from the date of adoption of the decision of qualification of securities, the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia shall send the notification of the adopted decision and, if necessary, also an order (including the one on elimination of violations of the legislation of the Russian Federation on securities) obligatory for execution.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 17, 2004. Reg. No. 5555.

Order of the State Customs Committee of the Russian Federation No. 91 of January 26, 2004 on the Amendments to the Order of the State Customs Committee of Russia No. 768 of August 28, 2000

Amends the Order of the State Customs Committee of Russia specifying the particulars of declaring of currencies and securities moved by natural persons.

The currencies and securities are declared in the customs body of the Russian Federation in writing by submitting the cargo customs decoration or in the electronic form. While filling out the cargo customs declaration, Column 53 "Customs Office and the Country of Destination" is not filled out.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 17, 2004. Reg. No. 5554.

Federal Law No. 3-FZ of February 19, 2004 on the Ratification of the Treaty on the Fundamentals of Relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Nicaragua

Ratifies the Treaty signed in New York on September 18, 2002. The contracting parties develop mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation. The parties shall assist business contacts and links, assist direct links between enterprises, companies and other economic subjects and organisations of both countries, as well as provide, in framework of their national legislations, bilateral agreements and on the basis of the principle of reciprocity, for the maximum beneficial conditions of such entrepreneurial and other economic activities. The parties shall implement bilateral cooperation in the interests of a stable development and solution of socio-economic tasks of their states including attraction of investments, improvement of use of natural resources and economic potential.

Federal Law No. 2-FZ of February 19, 2004 on the Ratification of the Treaty on Friendly Relations and Cooperation between the Russian Federation and Romania

Ratifies the Treaty signed in Moscow on July 4, 2003. The Treaty envisages expansion of economic cooperation, creation of favourable conditions for development of up-to-date forms of trade exchange, economic and scientific and technical cooperation. The parties shall assist establishing direct links and cooperation between the subjects of entrepreneurial (economic) activities, as well as promote development of cooperation in the sphere of capital investments.

      Besides, the parties shall encourage expansion of contacts between the citizens of both states, including mutual trips of citizens for business, economic, cultural and scientific purposes, as well as for private matters.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 96 of February 20, 2004 on the Summary Register of Organisations of the Defence Industry Complex

The Summary Register of Organisations of the Defence Industry Complex is a federal information system containing information on organisations included in the Register, on their property and financial standing and on the economic efficiency of activities. The Register includes organisations possessing as property, in economic management or operative control isolated property, including equipment and production space, as well as possessing qualified personnel for development, production, repair and utilisation of armaments, military and special equipment. Information contained in the Register is of restricted-access nature. Creation and keeping of the Register is vested in the Ministry of Industry and Science of Russia.

Decision of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation of February 25, 2004 on the Case of Constitutionality of Item 10 of Article 75 of the Federal Law on the Main Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right to Participate in the Referendum of the Citizens of the Russian Federation and Part 1 of Article 259 of the Code of Civil Procedures of the Russian Federation Pursuant to the Request of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation

The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation recognised as not complying with the Constitution of the Russian Federation the provision of Item 10 of Article 75 of the Federal Law on the main guarantees of electoral rights and the right to participate in the referendum of the citizens of the Russian Federation and Part 1 of Article 259 of the Code of Civil Procedures of the Russian Federation stating that if the violations mentioned in the appeal or application on the decisions and actions (failure to act) violating electoral rights of citizens and the right of citizens to participate in the referendum affect a significant number of citizens, or the violation acquired a special public significance because of other circumstances, the Central Electoral Commission of the Russian Federation may apply to the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation that has to consider the appeal.

The Decision is entered into force immediately after annunciation.

Decision of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation of February 24, 2004 on the Case of Constitutionality of Individual Provisions of Articles 74 and 77 of the Federal Law on Joint-Stock Companies (in the Wording of December 26, 1995) Regulating the Procedure of Consolidation of Placed Stocks of the Joint-Stock Company and Redemption of Fractional Stocks Pursuant to the Appeals of Citizens, a Legal Entity and Request of the Oktyabrsky Regional Court of the City of Penza

The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation recognised as not contradicting the Constitution of the Russian Federation interconnected provisions of Paragraph 2 of Item 1 of Article 74 and Article 77 of the Federal Law on joint-stock companies (in the wording of May 24, 1999) stating that in case of forming of fractional stocks during consolidation, the latter must be redeemed by the company at the market value. The given provisions imply taking into account the rights and legal interests of the holders of fractional stocks by applying appropriate legal procedures and an efficient judicial control over the decisions taken by the Board of Directors (Supervising Board) and the general meeting of stock-holders. The revealed constitutional and legal meaning is obligatory to all and excludes any other their interpretation in the judicial practice.

Decisions on the cases of stock-holder citizens based on the mentioned provisions in the interpretation other than their constitutional and legal meaning revealed by the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation must be revised according to established procedure.

The Decision is entered into force immediately after annunciation.

Federal Law No. 4-FZ of February 22, 2004 on the Amendment to Article 25 of the Federal Law on the Military Duty and the Military Service

Sets forth that the citizens living in individual regions of the Far North or individual localities of the similar status are called up for the military service from May 1 through June 30 or from November 1 through December 31. The list of the mentioned regions and localities, as well as the draft time for the citizens living in these regions and localities, are defined by the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

Earlier, the draft in the given category applied to the citizens living only in individual regions of the Far North according to the list defined by the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation only from May 1 through June 30. Other citizens are called up for the military service according to the commonly accepted procedure.

The Federal Law is entered into force from the day of its official publication.

Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 264 of February 24, 2004 on the Government of the Russian Federation

From February 24, 2004, sends the Government of the Russian Federation into retirement. The Government continues to execute their functions before the forming of the new composition of the main executive body of power of the country. The duties of the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation are vested temporarily in the Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation V.B.Khristenko.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 99 of February 21, 2004 on the Organisation of the Transfer of the Forestry Lands into Non-Forestry Ones for Their Use for the Purposes Other Than the Forestry Industry, Use of the Forestry Fund, As Well As the Transfer of the Lands of the Forestry Fund into Other Land Categories

As an exception, permits the bodies of state power to transfer the forestry lands into non-forestry ones and to transfer the lands of the forestry fund into other land categories according to the available in the present time procedure of transfer of the forestry lands into non-forestry ones for their use for the purposes other than the forestry industry, use of the forestry fund, and/or withdrawal of the lands of the forestry fund in the presence of the positive statement of the state ecological expertise while observing the requirements of the forestry and land legislation of the Russian Federation.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 98 of February 21, 2004 on the Amendments to the Customs Tariff of the Russian Federation Pertaining to the Import of Individual Types of Technological Equipment to the Customs Territory of the Russian Federation

For 9 months introduces the rates of the import customs duties for certain types of equipment for drink and commodity packing, as well as for certain types of self-propelled mechanisms and machine-tools using electric discharge processes.

The Decision is entered into force one month after the day of its official publication.

Order of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Public Health of the Russian Federation No. 18/29 of January 29, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Instruction on the Procedure of Providing Blank Disability Sheets, Their Registration and Storage

Defines the procedure of providing blank disability sheets for the medical organisations licensed to carry out works and render appropriate medical aid services, including the temporary disability expertise, as well as their registration and storage. Provides the forms necessary for the mentioned document turnover.

The making of the blank disability sheets is vested in the Social Insurance Fund of Russia. All medical organisations must submit to the pubic health management bodies on the quarterly basis before the 5th of the month following the reported quarter the request reports to obtain blank disability sheets regardless of the demand for these blank forms.

The blank disability sheets are strict-reporting documents and must be stored in special rooms, safes or in specially made iron-coated cabinets with safe internal or hanging locks. The rooms, safes, cabinets used to store the blank forms must be locked and sealed. The blank forms must be registered in accounting records on a systematic basis on off-balance accounts.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 19, 2004. Reg. No. 5573.

Decision of the Higher Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation No. 14770/03 of January 22, 2004

The applicant challenged the provisions of the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-22/135 of March 26, 2003 amending the logbook of incomes and expenses of organisations and independent entrepreneurs using the simplified system of taxation and the procedure of recording of economic operations in it. According to the amendments, the taxpayers using the simplified system of taxation must record in the logbook of incomes and expenses not only the figures of their activities necessary for the calculation of the taxable base and the amount of the uniform tax, but also keep records of incomes and expenses other than those affecting the mentioned calculation.

The Higher Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation recognised the mentioned Order of the Ministry of Taxation as not complying with the Tax Code of the Russian Federation and invalid inasmuch as it pertains to independent entrepreneurs.

Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 230 of February 20, 2004 on the Amendments to the List of Equipment, Materials and Technologies That May Be Used to Create Missile Weapons Subject to Export Control

Amends the sections pertaining to flight control systems, engine and equipment elements, design materials, fuel and chemicals, as well as other equipment, materials and instruments.

The Decree is entered into force three months after the day of its official publication.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1387-U of February 17, 2004 on the Adjustment of the Normative Acts of the Bank of Russia

Pursuant to the entry into force of the Regulation on the disclosing of information by issuers of emission securities endorsed by the Decision of the Federal Commission for Securities Market of the Russian Federation No. 03-32/ps of July 2, 2003, invalidates the Regulation of the Bank of Russia No. 43-P of July 2, 1998 on the disclosing of information by the Bank of Russia and credit organisations being participants of financial markets.

The Direction is entered into force 10 days after the day of its publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-09/97@ of February 11, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Methodology Recommendations for the Tax Bodies on the Uniform Procedure of Removal from Records and Registration in the Tax Bodies of the Biggest Russian Taxpayer Organisations Because of the Change of the Place of Location

Defines the procedure of removal from records and registration in the tax bodies of the biggest Russian taxpayer organisations in view of the change of their place of location.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-09/96@ of February 11, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Methodology Recommendations for the Tax Bodies on the Uniform Procedure of Removal from Records and Registration in the Tax Bodies of the Biggest Russian Taxpayer Organisations Because of the Reorganisation and the Methodology Recommendations for the Tax Bodies on the Uniform Procedure of Removal from Records in the Tax Bodies of the Biggest Russian Taxpayer Organisations Because of the Liquidation

Defines the procedure of removal from records and registration in the tax bodies of the biggest Russian taxpayer organisations in view of the reorganisation and the procedure of removal from records in view of the liquidation.

Letter of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation No. 02-18/07-829 of February 9, 2004 on the Amount of the Maternity Allowance

From January 1, 2004, the maternity allowance is paid out as earlier in the amount of the average earnings regardless of the duration of the uninterrupted length of work. The amount of the allowance may not be greater than the maximum amount of the maternity allowance (Rbl 11,700).

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-03/89 of February 9, 2004 on the Amendments to the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-03/25 of January 21, 2002 on the Endorsement of the Instruction on the Filling of Declaration for the Value Added Tax

The Instruction for the filling of the VAT declaration is being brought in compliance with the recent changes in the legislation. The Instruction is intended for the filling of the forms of VAT declarations endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-03/644 of November 20, 2003.

The Order is entered into force beginning with the tax period for January 2004 (I quarter).

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 26, 2004. Reg. No. 5589.

Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 9n of January 22, 2004 on the Amendments to the Instruction on the Procedure of Opening and Keeping by the Federal Treasury Bodies of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation of the Personal Accounts for Registration of Operations in Execution of Expenses of the Federal Budget Endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 142n of December 31, 2002

Amends the procedure of opening, keeping, redrawing and closing of the personal accounts. In particular, specifies that at the opening of the personal account of the recipient of the resources for the Chief Administrator of Resources, the card of the specimens of signatures is singed by the head and the chief accountant (other authorised persons) of the Chief Administrator of Resources and certified with the round seal of the Chief Administrator of Resources. Another certifying signature is not required.

Also changes the procedure of recording of operations on the personal accounts. The federal treasury bodies, on the monthly basis no later than the third of the month following the reported one, shall verify operations of the flow of limits of the budget resources, the volumes of financing and cash expenses recorded on the personal accounts of recipients of resources and personal accounts of another recipient of resources.

A new wording is provided of the forms of applications for the opening, redrawing and closing of the personal account, the cards of the specimens of signatures, permission to open an account in the division of the Bank of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 25, 2004. Reg. No. 5582.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-22/154@ of February 26, 2004 on the Invalidation of the Orders of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-22/706 of December 10, 2002, No. BG-3-22/191 of April 17, 2003, No. BG-3-22/573 of October 28, 2003

Invalidates the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-22/706 of December 10, 2002 on the endorsement of the methodology recommendations on the application of Chapter 26.2 "Simplified System of Taxation" of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation with amendments.

Procedure of Calculation of Insurance Contributions (Endorsed by the Decision of the Board of Directors of the State Corporation "Deposit Insurance Agency" of February 3, 2004 (Protocol 3))

The procedure regulates the relations pertaining to the calculation of the estimate base and estimate period for the payment of insurance contributions to the Deposit Obligatory Insurance Fund. The document envisages the particulars of calculation of issuance contributions for an incomplete estimate period, as well as regulates other relations pertaining to the procedure of calculation of insurance contributions.

The estimate base for the calculation of insurance contributions is defined as the average chronological for the estimate period of the daily balance residues on the accounts used to record the deposits, except for the monetary resources exempted from insurance. The estimate period for the payment of insurance contributions is a calendar quarter of the year.

Procedure of Payment of Insurance Contributions (Endorsed by the Decision of the Management Board of the State Corporation "Deposit Insurance Agency" of February 5, 2004 (Protocol 2))

Defines the particulars of transfer of insurance contributions on the agency accounts in the Bank of Russia used to register the monetary resources of the Deposit Obligatory Insurance Fund. The procedure also regulates the relations pertaining to the failure to pay, untimely, incomplete or excessive payment of the amount of insurance contributions and defines the consequences of the failure to fulfil the duty to pay insurance contributions by the bank. The estimate period for the payment of insurance contributions by the bank is a calendar quarter of the year. The first estimate period for the payment of insurance contributions is the period from the day of the bank entry in the register of banks participating in the deposit insurance system to the day of the end of the calendar quarter when the bank was entered in the mentioned register.

The payment of insurance contributions is effected by the bank in the currency of the Russian Federation within 5 days from the day of the end of the estimate period by transferring the monetary resources to the account of the Deposit Insurance Fund.

Letter of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation No. 02-18/07-773 of February 5, 2004 on the Procedure of Calculation of the Temporary Disability, Maternity Allowances

Provides 11 examples of calculation of the temporary disability, maternity allowances for use in practical work as specified in Article 8 of the Federal Law No. 166-FZ of December 8, 2003 on the budget of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation for the year 2004.

Regulation of the Central Bank of Russia No. 246-P of January 5, 2004 on the Procedure of Drawing up of Consolidated Reports by the Parent Organisation of the Bank/Consolidated Group

Lists the reported data submitted by the participants of the bank/consolidated group to draw up consolidated reports. Defines the procedure of drawing up by the parent credit organisation of the cards of consolidation, logbook of mutual payments, logbook of adjustments, consolidated balance report and the consolidated report of profits and losses.

Specifies the particulars of describing in the consolidated reports of operations of sale of fixed assets between participants of the group, inclusion of the reported data of the participants of the group in the report of the foreign exchange exposure of the bank/consolidated group, calculation of the values of obligatory normatives of the group.

The Regulation is entered into force 10 days after the day of its official publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on January 29, 2004. Reg. No. 5494.

Federal Law No. 1-FZ of February 5, 2004 on the Amendments to the Federal Law on the Hypothec (Real Estate Mortgage)

Introduced amendments permit for the mortgaging of any land plots except for those out of circulation or restricted for circulation on the basis of a federal law, as well as those available in the state or municipal property. Assessment of the land plot for the purposes of mortgaging is carried out according to the legislation regulating assessment activities in the Russian Federation. The mortgage value of the land plot handed over in mortgage under a mortgage contract is fixed in agreement with the mortgagee.

In cases of handing over of the land plot under a lease contract, the lessee may mortgage his lease rights, however, within the period of the lease contract for such land plot and with owner consent.

If there are tightly bound real estate objects owned by the owner of the land plot on the mortgaged land plot out of lands of agricultural destination, the mortgage contract for such land plot may be drawn up only with simultaneous mortgaging of the tightly bound real estate objects.

The Federal Law is entered into force from the day of its official publication.

Order of the State Customs Committee of the Russian Federation No. 55 of January 20, 2004 on the Fixing of the Competent Customs Bodies in Charge of the Customs Operations for Certain Commodities Moved by Natural Persons

Lists the specialised customs bodies with authority restricted exclusively to the customs operations for commodities requiring the issue of the certificates of transport vehicles, chassis, self-propelled vehicles and spare parts for them moved by natural persons across the border, as well as operations of registration of the transport vehicles temporarily imported by natural persons.

The authority to carry out customs operations of registration of the temporarily imported transport vehicles for the natural persons arriving temporarily or living permanently in Moscow and the Moscow Province, St.Petersburg and the Leningrad Province is vested exclusively in the Butovo Customs Post of he Moscow Western Customs Office and the St.Petersburg Highway Customs Post of the North-West Excise Duty Customs Office.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 4, 2004. Reg. No. 5526.

Decision of the Federal Commission for Securities Market No. 03-47/ps of December 24, 2003 on the Specialists of the Securities Market

Introduces the new system of qualification requirements to the employees of professional participants of the securities market, organisations engaged in the management of investment funds, shared investment funds and non-state pension funds, as well as organisations engaged in activities of a specialised depositary of investment funds, shared investment funds and non-state pension funds.

Qualification certificates of the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia issued with restricted period of validity and not presented to put the "unlimited" stamp may be presented for it to the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia no later than January 1, 2005. After this date, the mentioned certificates are considered to be invalid. The holders of qualification certificates of specialists in corporate finances and specialists of specialised depositaries of the shared investment funds must confirm the necessary level of professional qualification.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 4, 2004. Reg. No. 5525.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-23/19 of January 16, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Form of the Annual Report of the Activities of a Foreign Organisation in the Russian Federation

Endorses the form of the annual report of activities of a foreign organisation in the Russian Federation (Form PO KND 1113020). The annual report is submitted through the permanent representation to the customs body at the place of location of the permanent representation.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 4, 2004. Reg. No. 5523.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 53 of February 6, 2004 on the Fixing of the Coefficient of Indexing of the Amount of the Monthly Insurance Payment under Obligatory Social Insurance against Industrial Accidents and Occupational Diseases

From January 1, 2004, the indexing factor for the amount of the monthly insurance payments in obligatory social insurance against industrial accidents and occupational diseases assigned before January 1, 2004 is fixed at 1.1.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 52 of February 6, 2004 on the Cost of Insurance Year for the Years 2002-2004

The cost of insurance year is fixed in the following amounts: Rbl 504 for the year 2002, Rbl 756 for the year 2003, Rbl 1,008 for the year 2004. Amounts of insurance contributions to the Pension Fund of Russia is fixed proceeding from the cost of insurance year in the form of a fixed payment.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 43 of January 30, 2004 on the Procedure of Application of the Anti-Dumping Duty for the Zinc-Coated Rolled Stock Originating in the Ukraine

Pursuant to the signing on January 23, 2004 of the Agreement between Russia and the Ukraine on the regulation of supplies to the Russian Federation of zinc-coated rolled stock originating in the Ukraine, the anti-dumping duty in the amount of 24.3% of the customs cost for the mentioned commodities is not collected during the period of the Agreement.

Order of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation No. 1151 of December 24, 2003 on the Endorsement of the Forms of the Notification of the Transborder Transportation of Waste and the Waste Transportation Document

Endorses the form of the notification of the transborder transportation of waste and the form of the waste transportation document.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 2, 2004. Reg. No. 5515.

Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 2n of January 13, 2004 on the Form of the Agency State Statistical Monitoring No. 2-S "Information on Activities of the Insurance (Medical Insurance) Organisation for the Year ___ " and the Instruction on the Procedure of Drawing up and Submission of the Form of the Annual Statistical Reports of Insurance (Medical Insurance) Organisations

As compared to the earlier available Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 95N of November 28, 2001, shifts the time limits for the annually submitted information according to Form 2-S by insurance (medical insurance) organisations - no later than June 1, (earlier, May 15).

Insurance organisations concluding contracts of obligatory insurance of civil responsibility of owners of transport vehicles shall submit such information no later than August 1. The mentioned organisations shall submit for the reported year information on insurance premiums and payments under the contracts of obligatory insurance of civil responsibility of owners of transport vehicles, of concluded contracts and contracts where obligations terminated in the current year and other information.

The blank forms of the annual statistical reports shall be provided in insurance (medical insurance) organisations independently. It is permitted to introduce changes to the typical form only to extend or reduce the columns taking into account the significance of the figures. Introduction of additional and removal of individual requisites from the typical form is not permitted. All requisites of the endorsed typical form must remain intact (including codes of lines, form name, sections, subsections etc.).

The Order is entered into force beginning with the report for the year 2003.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on January 29, 2004. Reg. No. 5505.

Operative Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 15-T of January 30, 2004 on the Opening of Bank Accounts by Credit Organisations

Explains that pursuant to the adoption of the Federal Law No. 185-FZ of December 23, 2003, legal entities and independent entrepreneurs do not need to present to the credit organisation the documents confirming the registration of the given entities as the payers of contributions to the state non-budgetary funds when opening bank accounts.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 61 of February 7, 2004 on the Rates of Import Customs Duties for Fifth-Wheel Tractors and Motor Transport Vehicles

The rate of the import customs duty for fifth-wheel tractors and motor transport vehicles fixed in the amount of 5% of the customs cost shall be applied from January 15, 2004 on the permanent basis.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 56 of February 6, 2004 on the General Rules of Preparation, Organisation and Holding of the Meetings of Creditors and Sessions of Committees of Creditors by the Bankruptcy Commissioners

The bankruptcy commissioner shall present for consideration by the meeting of creditors materials on the financial standing, debtor bankruptcy procedures and other materials permitting to adopt decisions on the issues of the agenda. The protocol of the meeting of creditors is drawn up in duplicate and is signed by the bankruptcy commissioner. One copy of the protocol is sent by the bankruptcy commissioner to the court within 5 days from the date of the meeting of creditors. If the meeting of creditors is arranged by the person demanding its convocation, the protocol of the meeting of creditors is drawn up in triplicate, with the first copy being sent to the court, the second - to the bankruptcy commissioner no later than within 5 days from the date of the meeting of creditors, and the third copy preserved with the person having arranged the meeting.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 55 of February 6, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Rules of Handing over of Accumulated Pensions Financing the Accumulated Part of the Labour Pension from One Non-State Pension Fund to Another Non-State Pension Fund or from a Non-State Pension Fund to the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation and Determination of Their Cost

Defines the rules of handing over of accumulated pensions financing the accumulated part of the labour pension from one non-state pension fund to another non-state pension fund or from the fund to the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation, procedure of determination of their cost, as well as the procedure of notification of the insured of the available reasons of transfer of accumulated pensions.

When handing over the accumulated pensions, the fund shall be obliged to hand out (send by mail) to the insured an excerpt of the condition of his pension account certified with the signature of the official in charge and the seal indicating the amount to be transferred, as well as to take measures to secure the accumulated pensions due for transfer.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. VG-3-22/77@ of January 8, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Form of the Application of the Registration of the Object (Objects) of Taxation for the Gambling Tax

Endorses Form 29-1 "Application for the Registration of the Object (Objects) of Taxation for the Gambling Tax". The taxpayer must register in the tax body at the place of his registration as a taxpayer each object of taxation no later than two working days in advance of the date of installation of each object of taxation.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 6, 2004. Reg. No. 5533.

Order of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation No. 40 of January 22, 2004 on the Endorsement of the List of Free Services Provided by the State Plant Quarantine Service of the Russian Federation

The list includes 18 services provided by the State Plant Quarantine Service of the Russian Federation free of charge. In particular, the mentioned Service shall define free of charge the quarantine phytosanitary condition of the products subject to quarantine measures in the luggage and belongings of passengers, in postal dispatches and shall draw up phytosanitary documentation. Besides, it shall provide free advice on the issues of revealing of quarantine objects and measures to combat them, the rules and norms of ensuring plant quarantine at import, export, production, transportation, use, storage, sale of the products subject to quarantine measures.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 6, 2004. Reg. No. 5530.

Instruction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 110-I of January 16, 2004 on the Obligatory Normatives for the Banks

Changes significantly the requirements to obligatory normatives for the banks specified in the Instruction of the Bank of Russia No. 1 of October 1, 1997 on the procedure of regulation of activities of banks.

The new Instruction does not contain now seven obligatory normatives: obligatory normatives of the maximum risk per one creditor (depositor) (Normative N8), maximum credit risk per one stock holder (participant) (Normative N9), maximum risk per one insider (Normative N10), maximum amount of attracted monetary deposits of the population (Normative N11), maximum bank obligations to non-resident banks and non-resident financial organisations (Normative N11.1), use of the bank own resources (capital) to purchase stocks (shares) of a single legal entity (Normative N12.1), risk of own bill liabilities (Normative N13) and liquidity of operations with precious metals (Normative N14).

The Instruction reduces the values of obligatory normatives: momentary liquidity (N2) from 20% to 15% and the current liquidity (N3) - from 70% to 50%.

Changes the method of estimation of the normative of sufficiency of own resources (N1). Credit requirements to the banks of the "group of developing countries" are classified according to risk groups depending on the time of placing of the monetary resources (risk group III for up to 90 calendar days, risk group IV for over 90 calendar days). Risk group IV includes credits and deposits (including those in precious metals) and other resources placed in the resident banks of the Russian Federation for up to 30 days. The given risk group has the risk coefficient figure of 50% (earlier, 70%).

The estimate of Normative N6 "Maximum Risk per One Borrower or Group of Interconnected Borrowers" besides credits provided by the bank to the borrower includes also securities of the sales and investment portfolios issued by the borrower (contractor) if they are not excluded from the capital estimate.

The Instruction specifies that estimation of obligatory normatives is carried out by the banks on the daily basis as of the end of the operative day. Territorial institutions of the Bank of Russia may request information on observation of obligatory normatives from the banks within the month. The Instruction introduces the requirement to the banks to inform the territorial institutions (together with the monthly reports) of available facts of violation of obligatory normatives during the month.

The Bank of Russia may apply measure of intervention to the banks in cases of failure to observe the obligatory normatives for the total of six and more operative days within any 30 operative days in succession.

The Instruction is entered into force from April 1, 2004.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 6, 2004. Reg. No. 5529.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1383-U of February 3, 2004 on the Procedure of Handing out and Supplies of Money for Numismatic Purposes by the Bank of Russia

Specifies the procedure of handing out by the Bank of Russia to resident credit organisations and supplies to non-resident credit organisations of money for sale at the numismatic market. The numismatic money is handed out at the sales prices of the Bank of Russia including actual expenses for production, nominal cost of coins of non-precious metals, actual expenses for the making of the souvenir package for the sets of coins, delivery expenses, as well as taxes, fees and other obligatory payments envisaged in the legislation of the Russian Federation.

The Direction is entered into force 10 days after the day of its official publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Operative Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 16-T of February 3, 2004 on the Recommendations on the Content and Organisation of the Web Sites of Credit Organisations in the Internet

In view of the changing of the composition of the published reports of credit organisations and bank/consolidated groups, conveys the new recommendations on the creation and organisation of representations of credit organisations in the Internet.

Thus, a credit organisation is recommended to place on the site information of accounting and financial reports for the two most recent years according to the forms provided in the Direction of the Bank of Russia No. 1270-U of April 14, 2003.

Official Report of the Deposit Insurance Agency of February 6, 2004.

The rate of insurance contributions of the banks in the Obligatory Deposit Insurance Fund is fixed in the amount of 0.15% of the estimate base for the estimated period (calendar quarter of the year).

Decision of the Higher Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation No. 12358/03 of November 19, 2003

The applicant challenged the explanation provided by the Ministry of Taxation of Russia in Item 9 of the Methodology Recommendations on the application of Chapter 26.2 "Simplified System of Taxation" of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-22/706 of December 10, 2002. According to the applicant, the available judicial practice does not permit the municipal unitary enterprises to calculate and pay the taxes according to the simplified system of taxation.

The Higher Arbitration Court came to the conclusion that the challenged norm does not comply with the Tax Code of the Russian Federation, since as compared to the earlier available Federal Law No. 222-FZ of December 29, 1995 on the simplified system of taxation, registration and reporting of small businesses, Chapter 26.2 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation does not contain any mention of the fact that the simplified system of taxation is applied only to small businesses.

The challenged item is recognised as invalid inasmuch as it prevents the switching over of municipal unitary enterprises to the simplified system of taxation proceeding from the meaning attached to it by the tax bodies.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 67 of February 9, 2004 on the Amendments to the Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 379 of June 30, 2003

The amendments are introduced in the Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation specifying additional restrictions on the investing of resources of accumulated pensions in individual classes of assets and defining the maximum share of individual classes of assets in the investment portfolio.

The shares of assets in the investment portfolio built at the expense of resources handed over to the Pension Fund of Russia in trust control by the management company and in the investment portfolio of a non-state pension fund engaged in obligatory pension insurance are defined in percent of their cost (in roubles) proceeding from the amount of resources on accounts and deposits in credit organisations and the market cost of securities forming the appropriate investment portfolio.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 64 of February 9, 2004 on the Amendments to the Decisions of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 92 of February 8, 2002 and No. 93 of February 8, 2002

The changes are introduced in the Decisions of the Government of the Russian Federation specifying the norms of expenses of organisations for compensations for the use of personal cars and motorcycles for business trips, as well as for the daily and field allowances where such expenses are qualified as other expenses pertaining to production and sales in the determination of the taxable base for the profit tax from organisations.

The Decision specifies that if the system of taxation for agricultural producers is applied (uniform agricultural tax), the mentioned norms shall be used from January 1, 2004 to determine expenses for the paying out of compensation for the use of personal cars and motorcycles for business trips, as well as for the daily and field allowances.

The Decision is entered into force from the day of its official publication and applies to legal relations emerging from January 1, 2004.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 60 of February 6, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Forms of the Typical Contract on Obligatory Pension Insurance between a Non-State Pension Fund and the Insured, Forms of Applications of the Insured to Transfer to a Non-State Pension Fund and Transfer to the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation

The typical form of the contract defines the subject of the contract, the rights and duties of the fund, the insured, procedure of registration of the resources of accumulated pensions and investing of the given resources by the management company. Regulates in detail the procedure of assigning and paying out of the accumulated part of the labour pension to the insured and making payments to his successors. The contract is concluded for an indefinite period of time.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1375-U of January 16, 2004 on the Rules of Drawing up and Submission of Reports of Credit Organisations to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation

Specifies the obligatory for the credit organisations (their branches), parent credit organisations of the bank/consolidated groups general rules of drawing up and submission of accounting and statistical reports to the Bank of Russia.

Credit organisations must draw up and submit to the Bank of Russia reports according to the "List of Forms of Reports and Other Information of Credit Organisations Submitted to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation" specified in the Direction of the Bank of Russia No. 1376-U of January 16, 2004.

The forms of reports must contain all envisaged for them indicators. If the data for one or more figures is not available, the zero is entered in the appropriate column (line) for digital indicators and a dash for the symbols. If the form of the report contains only zeros, credit organisations shall send to the Bank of Russia a report of absence of appropriate data, or report with zero indicators. The forms of reports must be filled out according to the form attached to the Direction. The blank forms of reports are provided in the credit organisations independently.

The Direction is entered into force 10 days after the day of its official publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 10, 2004. Reg. No. 5534.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-23/1 of January 5, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Form of the Tax Declaration for the Profit Tax from a Foreign Organisation and on Amendments to Its Filling Instruction

Endorses the new form of the tax declaration for the profit tax from a foreign organisation (KND 1151038).

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on January 29, 2004. Reg. No. 5495.

Letter of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation No. 02-18/07-565 of January 28, 2004 on the Filling of the Reverse Side of the Disability Sheet

Pursuant to the introduction from January 1, 2004 of the new procedure of calculation of the temporary disability allowance and the maternity allowance, explains the procedure of filling of the reverse side of the disability sheet. Thus, section "Information on the Earnings" and column "Months" should indicate the estimated period of the earnings taken into account (12 calendar months preceding the month of the occurred disability, maternity leave, or less than three months for the appropriate employees getting the allowance in the amount not greater than the minimum amount of labour remuneration for the full calendar month).

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 74 of February 12, 2004 on the Fixing of the Cost of Living in Per Capita Figures and for the Main Sociodemographic Groups of Population for the Whole of the Russian Federation for the IV Quarter of 2003

Fixes the cost of living for the whole of the Russian Federation for the IV quarter of 2003 in the amount of Rbl 2,143 per capita, Rbl 2,341 for able-bodied population, Rbl 1,625 for pensioners, Rbl 2,113 for children

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 72 of February 10, 2004 on the Amendments to the List of Commodities Subject to Obligatory Certification, the List of Products with Compliance Certified with the Declaration of Compliance and on Invalidation of the List of Works and Services Subject to Obligatory Certification

Significant changes are introduced in the list of commodities subject to obligatory certification endorsed by the Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1013 of August 13, 1997. From October 1, 2004, medicines are exempted from the obligatory certification and the medicines (codes 931000-937000 OKP) registered according to established procedure and consisting of mixed and unmixed products for use in therapy packed as dosed medicines or in retail trade package must have the declaration of compliance. According to the introduced changes, perfumery is exempted from obligatory certification.

The Decision specifies that the products excluded from Sections "Rubber Technical and Asbestos Products" and "Optical Instruments and Equipment" are exempted from obligatory compliance confirmation. Invalidates the list of works and services subject to obligatory certification.

The list of commodities requiring declaration of compliance now does not include compressed natural power gas for internal combustion engines. The mentioned list includes fuses, plugs, sockets, equipment for trade enterprises, beer, malt drinks, mineralised waters, as well as some types of printed items.

Order of the Ministry of Public Health of the Russian Federation No. 31 of January 30, 2004 on the Partial Invalidation of Item 2.5 of the Industry Sector Standard "Rules of Release (Sale) of Medicines in Apothecary Organisations. Main Provisions" Endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Public Health of Russia No. 80 of March 4, 2003

The mentioned item is partially invalidated pursuant to the adoption of the Decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation No. GKPI 03-607 of September 11, 2003, thus lifting the earlier available restrictions for the apothecary kiosks and shops to sale items of medical destination, disinfectants, items of personal hygiene, optical items, natural and artificial mineral waters, medicinal, child and dietetic foodstuffs, cosmetics and perfumery.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 11, 2004. Reg. No. 5541.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-21/726 of December 29, 2003 on the Endorsement of the Form of the Tax Declaration for the Payment for the Use of Water Objects and Its Filling Instruction

Endorses the new form of the tax declaration for the payment for the use of water objects (Form KND 1151032) and its filling Instruction.

The Order is entered into force beginning with the tax period for January (I quarter) 2004.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 11, 2004. Reg. No. 5539.

Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 14n of January 28, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Procedure of Providing of Information by Insurers of Conclusion, Prolongation and Termination of the Contract of Obligatory Insurance of the Liability of a Specialised Depositary and the Management Companies

Insurers shall send the mentioned information to the Ministry of Finance of Russia within three working days from the date conclusion, prolongation and termination of the appropriate contract. Information is submitted on paper medium according to the attached form together with the cover letter drawn up in free form.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 11, 2004. Reg. No. 5538.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 73 of February 12, 2004 on the Amendments to the Decisions of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 318 of March 15, 1997, No. 346 of June 19, 2003 and No. 395 of June 30,

Application of the insured to choose the investment portfolio (management company) submitted before December 31, 2003 must be considered in the Pension Fund of Russia before March 1, 2004. In case of refusal to satisfy the application of the insured to choose the investment portfolio (management company), or the application remains unconsidered, the Pension Fund of Russia shall notify of it the insured no later than March 31, 2004.

The Pension Fund of Russia shall provide for the transfer before March 31, 2004 of accumulated pensions to the selected by the insured management companies and the state management company according to the procedure specified in the contracts of trust control of the resources of accumulated pensions. The transfer applies to the amounts of insurance contributions financing the accumulated part of the labour pension received in the Pension Fund of Russia during the year 2002 and the net financial result obtained from their temporary placement.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 71 of February 10, 2004 on the Creation, Reorganisation and Liquidation of the Federal State Enterprises

Decisions on the creation, reorganisation and liquidation of the federal state institutions are taken by the Government of the Russian Federation on the basis of draft acts prepared by the federal bodies of executive power in coordination with the Ministry of Property Relations of Russia, Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, Ministry of Labour of Russia and the Ministry of Finance of Russia. The draft decision must contain the subject and goals of activities of the institution, as well as the limiting employee payroll and the amount of allocations to maintain the created (reorganised) institution within the limits of resources envisaged for these purposes in the federal budget. The charter of the federal state institution is endorsed by the federal body of executive power in charge of the coordination and regulation of activities in the appropriate sphere (sphere of management) in coordination with the Ministry of Property Relations of Russia and the Ministry of Finance of Russia.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1378-U of January 16, 2004 on the Adjustment of the Acts of the Bank of Russia

Pursuant to the adoption of the Instruction of the Bank of Russia No. 110-I of January 16, 2004 on the obligatory normatives for the banks entering into force from April 1, 2004 invalidates the Instruction of the Bank of Russia No. 1 of October 1, 1997 on the procedure of regulation of activities of the banks with amendments, as well as individual operative directions on the application of this Instruction.

The Direction is entered into force from April 1, 2004.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 83 of February 14, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Rules of Providing Budget Loans from the Federal Budget to the Subjects of the Russian Federation to Cover Temporary Cash Deficits

The temporary cash deficit emerging in the execution of the consolidated budget of the subject of the Russian Federation is defined as under-received in a certain period of the fiscal year incomes to implement the expenses envisaged in the budget of the subject of the Russian Federation taking into account the sources of financing of the budget deficit. If such deficit is available or forecasted, the body of executive power of the subject of the Russian Federation may apply to the Ministry of Finance of Russian Federation to get the budget loan. Budget loans are provided for not more than 6 months within the fiscal year. The budget loan is not provided to the subject of the Russian Federation with an overdue debt in the earlier obtained budget loans.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 82 of February 14, 2004 on the Procedure and Terms of Financing in 2004 of Preventive Measures Aimed at Reduction of Industrial Injuries and Occupational Diseases of Employees

Defines the procedure and terms of partial financing in 2004 of preventive measures aimed at reduction of industrial injuries and occupational diseases of insurant employees including the financing of periodic medical examinations and preventive treatment, in particular, sanatoria and resort treatment of employees engaged in works with adverse and hazardous factors. The list of preventive measures is endorsed by the Ministry of Labour of Russia in coordination with the Social Insurance Fund of Russia and serves as grounds for the working out of the plan of insurant preventive measures.
The amount of resources allocated by the insurant for the partial financing of preventive measures may not be greater than 20% of the amounts of insurance contributions transferred by this insurant to the Social Insurance Fund of Russia during the year 2003. Decision on the partial financing or refusal of it is taken by the Social Insurance Fund of Russia within 15 days from the day of submission of the application by the insurant. Applications are accepted before July 1, 2004.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 80 of February 14, 2004 on the Measures to Implement the Federal Law on the Federal Budget for the Year 2004

To implement the Federal Law on the federal budget for the year 2004, distributes the duties and issues orders to the federal bodies of executive power. Execution of the federal budget is implemented according to the summary budget list of the federal budget for the year 2004. Any amendments to the budget list inspiring creditor indebtedness reducing expenses is not permitted.
The recipient of the resources of the federal budget, when concluding contracts for supplies of commodities, works, services to be covered at the expense of the resources of the federal budget, may envisage advance payments. The contracts for communication services, subscription for printed matter, study at professional development courses, purchase of air and railway tickets, tickets for the urban and suburban transportation, as well as accommodations for sanatoria and resort treatment, may envisage advance payments in the amount of 100% or 30% for other contracts.
For the year 2004, there is a limit for provided tax credits, respites, extension schedules for the payment of federal taxes and fees fixed in the amount not greater than Rbl 750 million. The Decision lists the acts of the Government of the Russian Federation prolonged for the year 2004 pursuant to the adoption of the Law on the federal budget for the year 2004. In particular, prolongs the rules of paying out in 2003 to individual categories of citizens of preliminary compensation (compensation) for the deposits in the Savings Bank of the Russian Federation and some insurance organisations being guaranteed savings.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 77 of February 13, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Typical Insurance Rules of a Non-State Pension Fund Engaged in Activities in Obligatory Pension Insurance

The rules define the procedure and terms of execution by a non-state pension fund of obligations under the contracts of obligatory pension insurance concluded by this fund and the insured in favour of this person or his heirs. The execution of the duties by the find implies the assigning and paying out to the insured of the accumulated part of the labour pension, paying out of accumulated pension to the heirs of the insured, handing over of accumulated pensions to another insurer. The Decision specifies that the fund secures its liabilities with all the property owned by it.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1377-U of January 16, 2004 on the Invalidation of Individual Normative Acts of the Bank of Russia

Pursuant to the adoption of the Directions of the Bank of Russia No. 1375-U and No. 1376-U of January 16, 2004 specifying the rules of drawing up and submission of reports by credit organisations to the Bank of Russia, as well as the list, forms and procedure of submission of these reports, invalidates individual normative acts of the Bank of Russia. In particular, invalidates the Direction of the Bank of Russia No. 7-U of October 24, 1997 on the procedure of drawing up and submission of reports by credit organisations to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.
The Direction is entered into force from April 1, 2004 and must be published officially in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 84 of February 16, 2004 on the Amendments to the Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 914 of December 2, 2000

Amends the rules of keeping of logbooks of received and drawn up invoices, purchase ledger and sales ledger in the estimates of the value added tax. The mentioned rules are being brought in compliance with the Federal Law No. 117-FZ of July 7, 2003 having entered into force from January 1, 2004. The new wording is provided for the forms of the purchase ledger and the sales ledger. The mentioned forms include the column envisaging the 18% tax rate and preserve the column for the calculation of the 20% VAT rate.

The changes were also made to the form of the invoice. Thus, the "Seal", "Issued by" and the "Signature of the Seller Representative in Charge" are omitted.

The Decision specifies that invoices issued when selling commodities (carrying out works, rendering services) by organisations and independent entrepreneurs for cash must be registered in the sales ledger. In this case, the readings of control tapes of cash registers are registered in the sales ledger without the amounts of appropriate invoices.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 51 of February 6, 2004 on the Amendments to and Invalidation of Some of the Decisions of the Government of the Russian Federation Pertaining to Improvement of State Management in the Russian Federation

The amendments are introduced pursuant to the abolishment from July 1, 2003 of the Federal Border Guard Service of the Russian Federation, Federal Agency of Governmental Communication and Information of the President of the Russian Federation and the Federal Service of the Tax Police. The functions of the Federal Border Guard Service are handed over to the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation incorporating the Border Guard Service. The functions of the Federal Agency of Governmental Communication and Information of the Russian Federation are handed over to the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation and the Service of Special Communication and Information. The functions of the Federal Service of the Tax Police are handed over to the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances and the Federal Service for Economic and Tax Crimes of the Ministry of Internal Affairs o f the Russian Federation.

Order of the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances No. 306 of December 31, 2003 on the Endorsement of the Typical Internal Rules of the Bodies in Charge of Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances

The divisions, territorial bodies and organisations of the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances shall have a strictly regulated daily routine stipulated by the particulars of service activities and operative situation, time of the year, local conditions and other specific circumstances. The typical rules shall define for the personnel, federal state servants and employees of the bodies of the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances the length of the working week, length, beginning, end and procedure of registration of the service (working) time, time of breaks for rest and meals, on-duty (shift) schedules in cases of shift work, procedure of work in excess of the specified service (working) time, as well as on week-ends and holidays.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5550.

Order of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation No. 23 of January 14, 2004 on the Organisation of Reception, Registration, Record Keeping and Consideration in the Bodies of the Federal Security Service of Reports of Crimes and Other Criminal Information

Information of crimes may be received in the security bodies in the form of applications, surrender, reports of committed or anticipated crimes, other sources. The body of investigation, investigator must accept and verify the report of any committed or anticipated crime and take the decision on it within the scope of authority specified in the Code of Criminal Procedures of the Russian Federation no later than within 3 days from the day of receiving of the mentioned report. The applicant gets the document of reception of the report of the crime with information on the person having accepted it, as well as the date and time of reception.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5548.

Decision of the Federal Commission for Securities Market No. 03-51/ps of December 24, 2003 on the Amendments to the Regulation on the Particulars of Issue of Bonds and Disclosing of Information by International Financial Organisations on the Territory of the Russian Federation Endorsed by the Decision of the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia No. 03-24/ps of April 24, 2003

Specifies that the bond prospectus must indicate the time specified in the decision of issue (additional issue) of the bonds when the delay of execution of obligations by the issuer is considered to be a significant violation of the terms of the concluded loan contract. The quarterly report is submitted by the issuer to the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia no later than within 90 days from the end of the reported quarter.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5547.

Decision of the State Standards Committee of the Russian Federation No. 4 of January 30, 2004 on the National Standards of the Russian Federation

From July 1, 2003, adopted earlier by the State Standards Committee of Russia state and interstate standards are recognised as national standards. Before the entry into force of the appropriate technical regulations, the requirements to the products, production processes, operation, storage, transportation, sale and utilisation specified in the mentioned national standards must be executed on the obligatory basis only when pertaining to the protection of the life and health of citizens, property of natural persons or legal entities, state or municipal property, protection of the environment, life and health of animals and plants, prevention of actions misleading the buyers.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5546.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 89 of February 17, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Fundamentals of Price Forming in the Sphere of Housing and Communal Services

Defines the main principles and methods of price forming for the services in the maintenance and repair of dwelling space, dwelling space leasing and tariff rates for communal services, as well as the rules of regulation and application of these prices and tariff rates.

Regulation applies to the prices for the dwelling space (including the prices for the services in the maintenance, repair of the housing space and leasing) and the tariff rates for communal services (including tariff rates for the services in water supplies, water disposal, central heating, hot water supplies, electric power supplies, supplies of solid fuels, services in network and liquefied gas supplies, gas supplies in flasks).

To fix the prices and tariff rates, the method of economic substantiation is used. In addition, there is a method of indexing that changes the prices and tariff rates fixed using the method of substantiation with deflator indexes fixed by the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia.

It is not permitted to apply within one estimated period of regulation different methods of fixing of prices and tariff rates for organisations engaged in the same regulated types of activities.

Control over application of prices and tariff rates, including the substantiation of their amount, is vested in the bodies in charge of the regulation.

Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 13n of January 28, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Procedure of Disclosing of Information on the Structure and Composition of Stock-Holders (Participants) of a Specialised Depositary and Management Companies

Specialised depositary and management companies must submit on the annual basis no later than July 1 of the year following the reported one information according to the attached form on the structure and composition of stock-holders (participants) with the share in the registered capital of the specialised depositary or management company being at least 1 percent. The Ministry of Finance of Russia shall provide for the disclosing of provided information on the Internet site of the Ministry of Finance of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 17, 2004. Reg. No. 5561.

Instruction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 109-I of January 14, 2004 on the Procedure of Adoption by the Bank of Russia of the Decision on the State Registration of Credit Organisations and Issue of Licenses for Bank Operations

Specifies the particulars of the procedure of adoption by the Bank of Russia of the decision on the state registration of credit organisations and issue of licenses for bank operations.

The credit organisation may be created on the basis of any property form as an economic company (joint-stock company, limited-liability or additional-responsibility company). The founders of the credit organisation must pay 100% of the declared registered capital of the credit organisation specified in the charter of the credit organisation within one month from the day of receiving of the notification of the state registration. For the opening of the branch, the credit organisation pays the fee of 100 minimum amounts of labour remuneration as of the moment of issue of the notification of the Bank of Russia of the opening of the branch of the credit organisation.

The Instruction applies to legal relations in the sphere of state registration of credit organisations and issue of licenses for bank operations if by the day of its entry into force, the Bank of Russia did not take decisions envisaged in the Instruction as a result of consideration of the documents submitted by credit organisations and/or other entities.

The Instruction is entered into force 10 days after the moment of its publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5551.

Decision of the Ministry of Labour of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 1/1n of January 12, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Procedure of Calculation and Confirmation of the Length of State Service Permitting to Get the Length-of-Service Pension of the Federal State Servants and Determination of the Compliance of Positions with the Periods of Service (Work) in Them Included in the Length of State Service

The endorsed procedure regulates the issues of calculation of the length of state service permitting to get the length-of-service pension of the federal state servants, confirmation of this length of service, determination of compliance of positions, inclusion in the length of state service permitting to assign the length-of-service pension.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5549.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 90 of February 18, 2004 on the Endorsement of the List of Commodities Produced Using the Property of Organisations Not Exempted from the Property Tax from Organisations and/or Sold by Such Organisations

The mentioned list includes automobile tyres, hunting rifles, yachts, motor boats (other than special-purpose ones), products of the ferrous and non-ferrous metal industry (other than second-hand raw materials and metal items), precious stones and precious metals, fur items (other than those for children), high-quality items of crystal and porcelain, caviar, finished delicacies of valuable fishes and sea products.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1382-U of February 2, 2004 on the Amendments to the Regulation of the Bank of Russia No. 205-P of December 5, 2002 on the Rules of Accounting Work in Credit Organisations Located on the Territory of the Russian Federation

The Chart of Accounts in credit organisations is extended to include new passive Balance Accounts 30126, 30226, 30410, 30607, 60405 "Reserves for Possible Losses". Balance Accounts 50212 and 50506 "Reserves for Devaluated Securities" are excluded.

The Direction changes the names of the Balance Accounts 20321, 47425, 47702, 50709, 50809, 60105, 60206, 60324. In the new wording, their name is "Reserves for Possible Losses". The mentioned accounts are intended to register the flow (forming (accrual), recovery (reduction)) of reserves for possible losses. Analytical records are arranged on the personal accounts opened for each contractor of a credit organisation under the deal in the framework of concluded contracts. The records are maintained in the currency of the Russian Federation.

Appropriate changes are introduced in the description of the mentioned accounts, scheme of analytical records of incomes and expenses and the report of profits and losses. The changes are also introduced in the balance report of the credit organisation and the procedure of accounting work for investments in securities and operations with securities.

The Direction is entered into force 10 days after the day of its official publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 19, 2004. Reg. No. 5571.

Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation No. 63 of February 4, 2004 on the Amendment to the Interim Procedure of Exchange of the Passport of the Citizen of the USSR for the Passport of the Citizen of the Russian Federation for the Citizen Registered at the Place of Residence in One of the Subjects of the Russian Federation and Actually Living or Registered at the Place of Residence in Another Subject of the Russian Federation Endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia No. 347 of May 24, 2003

The changes are introduced in view of the prolongation of the time of replacement of the passports of the citizens of the USSR for the passports of the citizens of the Russian Federation till July 1, 2004.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 19, 2004. Reg. No. 5566.

Order of the State Customs Committee of the Russian Federation No. 160 of February 6, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Procedure of Certification of the Specialists of the Customs Registration

Defines the qualification requirements to the specialist of the customs registration and specifies the procedure of passing of the qualification examination to get the qualification certificate of the specialist of the customs registration. Lists the documents submitted together with the application for the certification.

The qualification examination is arranged by the regional customs departments simultaneously on the whole territory of the Russian Federation at least two times in a calendar year.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 19, 2004. Reg. No. 5565.

Order of the Ministry for Antimonopoly Policy of the Russian Federation No. 33 of January 30, 2004 on the Amendments to the Regulation on the Procedure of Approval of the Deals Pertaining to the Purchase of Assets or Stocks (Shares in the Registered Capital) of Financial Organisations, As Well As the Rights Permitting to Define the Terms of Entrepreneurial Activities or Implement the Functions of the Executive Body of a Financial Organisation Endorsed by the Order of the Ministry for Antimonopoly Policy of Russia No. 210 of February 28, 2001

Specifies that the request for the purchase by legal entities and/or natural persons of more than 20% of the stocks (shares in the registered capital) in cases of changing of the registered capital of a financial organisation is submitted to the antimonopoly bodies by the person (persons) buying the stocks (shares in the registered capital).

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 17, 2004. Reg. No. 5560.

Decision of the Federal Commission for Securities Market No. 03-48/ps of December 24, 2003 on the Procedure of Qualification of Securities

The endorsed procedure regulates the relations emerging when the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia qualifies the securities. For the purposes of qualification, the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia may check the legal entities whose activities at the securities market are regulated by the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia, as well as demand submission of the documents necessary for the solving of the qualification issues. No later than within 3 days from the date of adoption of the decision of qualification of securities, the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia shall send the notification of the adopted decision and, if necessary, also an order (including the one on elimination of violations of the legislation of the Russian Federation on securities) obligatory for execution.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 17, 2004. Reg. No. 5555.

Order of the State Customs Committee of the Russian Federation No. 91 of January 26, 2004 on the Amendments to the Order of the State Customs Committee of Russia No. 768 of August 28, 2000

Amends the Order of the State Customs Committee of Russia specifying the particulars of declaring of currencies and securities moved by natural persons.

The currencies and securities are declared in the customs body of the Russian Federation in writing by submitting the cargo customs decoration or in the electronic form. While filling out the cargo customs declaration, Column 53 "Customs Office and the Country of Destination" is not filled out.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 17, 2004. Reg. No. 5554.

Federal Law No. 3-FZ of February 19, 2004 on the Ratification of the Treaty on the Fundamentals of Relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Nicaragua

Ratifies the Treaty signed in New York on September 18, 2002. The contracting parties develop mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation. The parties shall assist business contacts and links, assist direct links between enterprises, companies and other economic subjects and organisations of both countries, as well as provide, in framework of their national legislations, bilateral agreements and on the basis of the principle of reciprocity, for the maximum beneficial conditions of such entrepreneurial and other economic activities. The parties shall implement bilateral cooperation in the interests of a stable development and solution of socio-economic tasks of their states including attraction of investments, improvement of use of natural resources and economic potential.

Federal Law No. 2-FZ of February 19, 2004 on the Ratification of the Treaty on Friendly Relations and Cooperation between the Russian Federation and Romania

Ratifies the Treaty signed in Moscow on July 4, 2003. The Treaty envisages expansion of economic cooperation, creation of favourable conditions for development of up-to-date forms of trade exchange, economic and scientific and technical cooperation. The parties shall assist establishing direct links and cooperation between the subjects of entrepreneurial (economic) activities, as well as promote development of cooperation in the sphere of capital investments.

      Besides, the parties shall encourage expansion of contacts between the citizens of both states, including mutual trips of citizens for business, economic, cultural and scientific purposes, as well as for private matters.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 96 of February 20, 2004 on the Summary Register of Organisations of the Defence Industry Complex

The Summary Register of Organisations of the Defence Industry Complex is a federal information system containing information on organisations included in the Register, on their property and financial standing and on the economic efficiency of activities. The Register includes organisations possessing as property, in economic management or operative control isolated property, including equipment and production space, as well as possessing qualified personnel for development, production, repair and utilisation of armaments, military and special equipment. Information contained in the Register is of restricted-access nature. Creation and keeping of the Register is vested in the Ministry of Industry and Science of Russia.

Decision of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation of February 25, 2004 on the Case of Constitutionality of Item 10 of Article 75 of the Federal Law on the Main Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right to Participate in the Referendum of the Citizens of the Russian Federation and Part 1 of Article 259 of the Code of Civil Procedures of the Russian Federation Pursuant to the Request of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation

The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation recognised as not complying with the Constitution of the Russian Federation the provision of Item 10 of Article 75 of the Federal Law on the main guarantees of electoral rights and the right to participate in the referendum of the citizens of the Russian Federation and Part 1 of Article 259 of the Code of Civil Procedures of the Russian Federation stating that if the violations mentioned in the appeal or application on the decisions and actions (failure to act) violating electoral rights of citizens and the right of citizens to participate in the referendum affect a significant number of citizens, or the violation acquired a special public significance because of other circumstances, the Central Electoral Commission of the Russian Federation may apply to the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation that has to consider the appeal.

The Decision is entered into force immediately after annunciation.

Decision of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation of February 24, 2004 on the Case of Constitutionality of Individual Provisions of Articles 74 and 77 of the Federal Law on Joint-Stock Companies (in the Wording of December 26, 1995) Regulating the Procedure of Consolidation of Placed Stocks of the Joint-Stock Company and Redemption of Fractional Stocks Pursuant to the Appeals of Citizens, a Legal Entity and Request of the Oktyabrsky Regional Court of the City of Penza

The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation recognised as not contradicting the Constitution of the Russian Federation interconnected provisions of Paragraph 2 of Item 1 of Article 74 and Article 77 of the Federal Law on joint-stock companies (in the wording of May 24, 1999) stating that in case of forming of fractional stocks during consolidation, the latter must be redeemed by the company at the market value. The given provisions imply taking into account the rights and legal interests of the holders of fractional stocks by applying appropriate legal procedures and an efficient judicial control over the decisions taken by the Board of Directors (Supervising Board) and the general meeting of stock-holders. The revealed constitutional and legal meaning is obligatory to all and excludes any other their interpretation in the judicial practice.

Decisions on the cases of stock-holder citizens based on the mentioned provisions in the interpretation other than their constitutional and legal meaning revealed by the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation must be revised according to established procedure.

The Decision is entered into force immediately after annunciation.

Federal Law No. 4-FZ of February 22, 2004 on the Amendment to Article 25 of the Federal Law on the Military Duty and the Military Service

Sets forth that the citizens living in individual regions of the Far North or individual localities of the similar status are called up for the military service from May 1 through June 30 or from November 1 through December 31. The list of the mentioned regions and localities, as well as the draft time for the citizens living in these regions and localities, are defined by the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

Earlier, the draft in the given category applied to the citizens living only in individual regions of the Far North according to the list defined by the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation only from May 1 through June 30. Other citizens are called up for the military service according to the commonly accepted procedure.

The Federal Law is entered into force from the day of its official publication.

Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 264 of February 24, 2004 on the Government of the Russian Federation

From February 24, 2004, sends the Government of the Russian Federation into retirement. The Government continues to execute their functions before the forming of the new composition of the main executive body of power of the country. The duties of the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation are vested temporarily in the Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation V.B.Khristenko.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 99 of February 21, 2004 on the Organisation of the Transfer of the Forestry Lands into Non-Forestry Ones for Their Use for the Purposes Other Than the Forestry Industry, Use of the Forestry Fund, As Well As the Transfer of the Lands of the Forestry Fund into Other Land Categories

As an exception, permits the bodies of state power to transfer the forestry lands into non-forestry ones and to transfer the lands of the forestry fund into other land categories according to the available in the present time procedure of transfer of the forestry lands into non-forestry ones for their use for the purposes other than the forestry industry, use of the forestry fund, and/or withdrawal of the lands of the forestry fund in the presence of the positive statement of the state ecological expertise while observing the requirements of the forestry and land legislation of the Russian Federation.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 98 of February 21, 2004 on the Amendments to the Customs Tariff of the Russian Federation Pertaining to the Import of Individual Types of Technological Equipment to the Customs Territory of the Russian Federation

For 9 months introduces the rates of the import customs duties for certain types of equipment for drink and commodity packing, as well as for certain types of self-propelled mechanisms and machine-tools using electric discharge processes.

The Decision is entered into force one month after the day of its official publication.

Order of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Public Health of the Russian Federation No. 18/29 of January 29, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Instruction on the Procedure of Providing Blank Disability Sheets, Their Registration and Storage

Defines the procedure of providing blank disability sheets for the medical organisations licensed to carry out works and render appropriate medical aid services, including the temporary disability expertise, as well as their registration and storage. Provides the forms necessary for the mentioned document turnover.

The making of the blank disability sheets is vested in the Social Insurance Fund of Russia. All medical organisations must submit to the pubic health management bodies on the quarterly basis before the 5th of the month following the reported quarter the request reports to obtain blank disability sheets regardless of the demand for these blank forms.

The blank disability sheets are strict-reporting documents and must be stored in special rooms, safes or in specially made iron-coated cabinets with safe internal or hanging locks. The rooms, safes, cabinets used to store the blank forms must be locked and sealed. The blank forms must be registered in accounting records on a systematic basis on off-balance accounts.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 19, 2004. Reg. No. 5573.

Decision of the Higher Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation No. 14770/03 of January 22, 2004

The applicant challenged the provisions of the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-22/135 of March 26, 2003 amending the logbook of incomes and expenses of organisations and independent entrepreneurs using the simplified system of taxation and the procedure of recording of economic operations in it. According to the amendments, the taxpayers using the simplified system of taxation must record in the logbook of incomes and expenses not only the figures of their activities necessary for the calculation of the taxable base and the amount of the uniform tax, but also keep records of incomes and expenses other than those affecting the mentioned calculation.

The Higher Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation recognised the mentioned Order of the Ministry of Taxation as not complying with the Tax Code of the Russian Federation and invalid inasmuch as it pertains to independent entrepreneurs.

Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 230 of February 20, 2004 on the Amendments to the List of Equipment, Materials and Technologies That May Be Used to Create Missile Weapons Subject to Export Control

Amends the sections pertaining to flight control systems, engine and equipment elements, design materials, fuel and chemicals, as well as other equipment, materials and instruments.

The Decree is entered into force three months after the day of its official publication.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1387-U of February 17, 2004 on the Adjustment of the Normative Acts of the Bank of Russia

Pursuant to the entry into force of the Regulation on the disclosing of information by issuers of emission securities endorsed by the Decision of the Federal Commission for Securities Market of the Russian Federation No. 03-32/ps of July 2, 2003, invalidates the Regulation of the Bank of Russia No. 43-P of July 2, 1998 on the disclosing of information by the Bank of Russia and credit organisations being participants of financial markets.

The Direction is entered into force 10 days after the day of its publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-09/97@ of February 11, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Methodology Recommendations for the Tax Bodies on the Uniform Procedure of Removal from Records and Registration in the Tax Bodies of the Biggest Russian Taxpayer Organisations Because of the Change of the Place of Location

Defines the procedure of removal from records and registration in the tax bodies of the biggest Russian taxpayer organisations in view of the change of their place of location.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-09/96@ of February 11, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Methodology Recommendations for the Tax Bodies on the Uniform Procedure of Removal from Records and Registration in the Tax Bodies of the Biggest Russian Taxpayer Organisations Because of the Reorganisation and the Methodology Recommendations for the Tax Bodies on the Uniform Procedure of Removal from Records in the Tax Bodies of the Biggest Russian Taxpayer Organisations Because of the Liquidation

Defines the procedure of removal from records and registration in the tax bodies of the biggest Russian taxpayer organisations in view of the reorganisation and the procedure of removal from records in view of the liquidation.

Letter of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation No. 02-18/07-829 of February 9, 2004 on the Amount of the Maternity Allowance

From January 1, 2004, the maternity allowance is paid out as earlier in the amount of the average earnings regardless of the duration of the uninterrupted length of work. The amount of the allowance may not be greater than the maximum amount of the maternity allowance (Rbl 11,700).

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-03/89 of February 9, 2004 on the Amendments to the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-03/25 of January 21, 2002 on the Endorsement of the Instruction on the Filling of Declaration for the Value Added Tax

The Instruction for the filling of the VAT declaration is being brought in compliance with the recent changes in the legislation. The Instruction is intended for the filling of the forms of VAT declarations endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-03/644 of November 20, 2003.

The Order is entered into force beginning with the tax period for January 2004 (I quarter).

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 26, 2004. Reg. No. 5589.

Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 9n of January 22, 2004 on the Amendments to the Instruction on the Procedure of Opening and Keeping by the Federal Treasury Bodies of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation of the Personal Accounts for Registration of Operations in Execution of Expenses of the Federal Budget Endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 142n of December 31, 2002

Amends the procedure of opening, keeping, redrawing and closing of the personal accounts. In particular, specifies that at the opening of the personal account of the recipient of the resources for the Chief Administrator of Resources, the card of the specimens of signatures is singed by the head and the chief accountant (other authorised persons) of the Chief Administrator of Resources and certified with the round seal of the Chief Administrator of Resources. Another certifying signature is not required.

Also changes the procedure of recording of operations on the personal accounts. The federal treasury bodies, on the monthly basis no later than the third of the month following the reported one, shall verify operations of the flow of limits of the budget resources, the volumes of financing and cash expenses recorded on the personal accounts of recipients of resources and personal accounts of another recipient of resources.

A new wording is provided of the forms of applications for the opening, redrawing and closing of the personal account, the cards of the specimens of signatures, permission to open an account in the division of the Bank of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 25, 2004. Reg. No. 5582.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-22/154@ of February 26, 2004 on the Invalidation of the Orders of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-22/706 of December 10, 2002, No. BG-3-22/191 of April 17, 2003, No. BG-3-22/573 of October 28, 2003

Invalidates the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-22/706 of December 10, 2002 on the endorsement of the methodology recommendations on the application of Chapter 26.2 "Simplified System of Taxation" of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation with amendments.

Procedure of Calculation of Insurance Contributions (Endorsed by the Decision of the Board of Directors of the State Corporation "Deposit Insurance Agency" of February 3, 2004 (Protocol 3))

The procedure regulates the relations pertaining to the calculation of the estimate base and estimate period for the payment of insurance contributions to the Deposit Obligatory Insurance Fund. The document envisages the particulars of calculation of issuance contributions for an incomplete estimate period, as well as regulates other relations pertaining to the procedure of calculation of insurance contributions.

The estimate base for the calculation of insurance contributions is defined as the average chronological for the estimate period of the daily balance residues on the accounts used to record the deposits, except for the monetary resources exempted from insurance. The estimate period for the payment of insurance contributions is a calendar quarter of the year.

Procedure of Payment of Insurance Contributions (Endorsed by the Decision of the Management Board of the State Corporation "Deposit Insurance Agency" of February 5, 2004 (Protocol 2))

Defines the particulars of transfer of insurance contributions on the agency accounts in the Bank of Russia used to register the monetary resources of the Deposit Obligatory Insurance Fund. The procedure also regulates the relations pertaining to the failure to pay, untimely, incomplete or excessive payment of the amount of insurance contributions and defines the consequences of the failure to fulfil the duty to pay insurance contributions by the bank. The estimate period for the payment of insurance contributions by the bank is a calendar quarter of the year. The first estimate period for the payment of insurance contributions is the period from the day of the bank entry in the register of banks participating in the deposit insurance system to the day of the end of the calendar quarter when the bank was entered in the mentioned register.

The payment of insurance contributions is effected by the bank in the currency of the Russian Federation within 5 days from the day of the end of the estimate period by transferring the monetary resources to the account of the Deposit Insurance Fund.

Letter of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation No. 02-18/07-773 of February 5, 2004 on the Procedure of Calculation of the Temporary Disability, Maternity Allowances

Provides 11 examples of calculation of the temporary disability, maternity allowances for use in practical work as specified in Article 8 of the Federal Law No. 166-FZ of December 8, 2003 on the budget of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation for the year 2004.

Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 2n of January 13, 2004 on the Form of the Agency State Statistical Monitoring No. 2-S "Information on Activities of the Insurance (Medical Insurance) Organisation for the Year ___ " and the Instruction on the Procedure of Drawing up and Submission of the Form of the Annual Statistical Reports of Insurance (Medical Insurance) Organisations

As compared to the earlier available Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 95N of November 28, 2001, shifts the time limits for the annually submitted information according to Form 2-S by insurance (medical insurance) organisations - no later than June 1, (earlier, May 15).

Insurance organisations concluding contracts of obligatory insurance of civil responsibility of owners of transport vehicles shall submit such information no later than August 1. The mentioned organisations shall submit for the reported year information on insurance premiums and payments under the contracts of obligatory insurance of civil responsibility of owners of transport vehicles, of concluded contracts and contracts where obligations terminated in the current year and other information.

The blank forms of the annual statistical reports shall be provided in insurance (medical insurance) organisations independently. It is permitted to introduce changes to the typical form only to extend or reduce the columns taking into account the significance of the figures. Introduction of additional and removal of individual requisites from the typical form is not permitted. All requisites of the endorsed typical form must remain intact (including codes of lines, form name, sections, subsections etc.).

The Order is entered into force beginning with the report for the year 2003.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on January 29, 2004. Reg. No. 5505.

Operative Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 15-T of January 30, 2004 on the Opening of Bank Accounts by Credit Organisations

Explains that pursuant to the adoption of the Federal Law No. 185-FZ of December 23, 2003, legal entities and independent entrepreneurs do not need to present to the credit organisation the documents confirming the registration of the given entities as the payers of contributions to the state non-budgetary funds when opening bank accounts.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 61 of February 7, 2004 on the Rates of Import Customs Duties for Fifth-Wheel Tractors and Motor Transport Vehicles

The rate of the import customs duty for fifth-wheel tractors and motor transport vehicles fixed in the amount of 5% of the customs cost shall be applied from January 15, 2004 on the permanent basis.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 56 of February 6, 2004 on the General Rules of Preparation, Organisation and Holding of the Meetings of Creditors and Sessions of Committees of Creditors by the Bankruptcy Commissioners

The bankruptcy commissioner shall present for consideration by the meeting of creditors materials on the financial standing, debtor bankruptcy procedures and other materials permitting to adopt decisions on the issues of the agenda. The protocol of the meeting of creditors is drawn up in duplicate and is signed by the bankruptcy commissioner. One copy of the protocol is sent by the bankruptcy commissioner to the court within 5 days from the date of the meeting of creditors. If the meeting of creditors is arranged by the person demanding its convocation, the protocol of the meeting of creditors is drawn up in triplicate, with the first copy being sent to the court, the second - to the bankruptcy commissioner no later than within 5 days from the date of the meeting of creditors, and the third copy preserved with the person having arranged the meeting.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 55 of February 6, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Rules of Handing over of Accumulated Pensions Financing the Accumulated Part of the Labour Pension from One Non-State Pension Fund to Another Non-State Pension Fund or from a Non-State Pension Fund to the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation and Determination of Their Cost

Defines the rules of handing over of accumulated pensions financing the accumulated part of the labour pension from one non-state pension fund to another non-state pension fund or from the fund to the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation, procedure of determination of their cost, as well as the procedure of notification of the insured of the available reasons of transfer of accumulated pensions.

When handing over the accumulated pensions, the fund shall be obliged to hand out (send by mail) to the insured an excerpt of the condition of his pension account certified with the signature of the official in charge and the seal indicating the amount to be transferred, as well as to take measures to secure the accumulated pensions due for transfer.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. VG-3-22/77@ of January 8, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Form of the Application of the Registration of the Object (Objects) of Taxation for the Gambling Tax

Endorses Form 29-1 "Application for the Registration of the Object (Objects) of Taxation for the Gambling Tax". The taxpayer must register in the tax body at the place of his registration as a taxpayer each object of taxation no later than two working days in advance of the date of installation of each object of taxation.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 6, 2004. Reg. No. 5533.

Order of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation No. 40 of January 22, 2004 on the Endorsement of the List of Free Services Provided by the State Plant Quarantine Service of the Russian Federation

The list includes 18 services provided by the State Plant Quarantine Service of the Russian Federation free of charge. In particular, the mentioned Service shall define free of charge the quarantine phytosanitary condition of the products subject to quarantine measures in the luggage and belongings of passengers, in postal dispatches and shall draw up phytosanitary documentation. Besides, it shall provide free advice on the issues of revealing of quarantine objects and measures to combat them, the rules and norms of ensuring plant quarantine at import, export, production, transportation, use, storage, sale of the products subject to quarantine measures.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 6, 2004. Reg. No. 5530.

Instruction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 110-I of January 16, 2004 on the Obligatory Normatives for the Banks

Changes significantly the requirements to obligatory normatives for the banks specified in the Instruction of the Bank of Russia No. 1 of October 1, 1997 on the procedure of regulation of activities of banks.

The new Instruction does not contain now seven obligatory normatives: obligatory normatives of the maximum risk per one creditor (depositor) (Normative N8), maximum credit risk per one stock holder (participant) (Normative N9), maximum risk per one insider (Normative N10), maximum amount of attracted monetary deposits of the population (Normative N11), maximum bank obligations to non-resident banks and non-resident financial organisations (Normative N11.1), use of the bank own resources (capital) to purchase stocks (shares) of a single legal entity (Normative N12.1), risk of own bill liabilities (Normative N13) and liquidity of operations with precious metals (Normative N14).

The Instruction reduces the values of obligatory normatives: momentary liquidity (N2) from 20% to 15% and the current liquidity (N3) - from 70% to 50%.

Changes the method of estimation of the normative of sufficiency of own resources (N1). Credit requirements to the banks of the "group of developing countries" are classified according to risk groups depending on the time of placing of the monetary resources (risk group III for up to 90 calendar days, risk group IV for over 90 calendar days). Risk group IV includes credits and deposits (including those in precious metals) and other resources placed in the resident banks of the Russian Federation for up to 30 days. The given risk group has the risk coefficient figure of 50% (earlier, 70%).

The estimate of Normative N6 "Maximum Risk per One Borrower or Group of Interconnected Borrowers" besides credits provided by the bank to the borrower includes also securities of the sales and investment portfolios issued by the borrower (contractor) if they are not excluded from the capital estimate.

The Instruction specifies that estimation of obligatory normatives is carried out by the banks on the daily basis as of the end of the operative day. Territorial institutions of the Bank of Russia may request information on observation of obligatory normatives from the banks within the month. The Instruction introduces the requirement to the banks to inform the territorial institutions (together with the monthly reports) of available facts of violation of obligatory normatives during the month.

The Bank of Russia may apply measure of intervention to the banks in cases of failure to observe the obligatory normatives for the total of six and more operative days within any 30 operative days in succession.

The Instruction is entered into force from April 1, 2004.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 6, 2004. Reg. No. 5529.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1383-U of February 3, 2004 on the Procedure of Handing out and Supplies of Money for Numismatic Purposes by the Bank of Russia

Specifies the procedure of handing out by the Bank of Russia to resident credit organisations and supplies to non-resident credit organisations of money for sale at the numismatic market. The numismatic money is handed out at the sales prices of the Bank of Russia including actual expenses for production, nominal cost of coins of non-precious metals, actual expenses for the making of the souvenir package for the sets of coins, delivery expenses, as well as taxes, fees and other obligatory payments envisaged in the legislation of the Russian Federation.

The Direction is entered into force 10 days after the day of its official publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Operative Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 16-T of February 3, 2004 on the Recommendations on the Content and Organisation of the Web Sites of Credit Organisations in the Internet

In view of the changing of the composition of the published reports of credit organisations and bank/consolidated groups, conveys the new recommendations on the creation and organisation of representations of credit organisations in the Internet.

Thus, a credit organisation is recommended to place on the site information of accounting and financial reports for the two most recent years according to the forms provided in the Direction of the Bank of Russia No. 1270-U of April 14, 2003.

Official Report of the Deposit Insurance Agency of February 6, 2004.

The rate of insurance contributions of the banks in the Obligatory Deposit Insurance Fund is fixed in the amount of 0.15% of the estimate base for the estimated period (calendar quarter of the year).

Decision of the Higher Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation No. 12358/03 of November 19, 2003

The applicant challenged the explanation provided by the Ministry of Taxation of Russia in Item 9 of the Methodology Recommendations on the application of Chapter 26.2 "Simplified System of Taxation" of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-22/706 of December 10, 2002. According to the applicant, the available judicial practice does not permit the municipal unitary enterprises to calculate and pay the taxes according to the simplified system of taxation.

The Higher Arbitration Court came to the conclusion that the challenged norm does not comply with the Tax Code of the Russian Federation, since as compared to the earlier available Federal Law No. 222-FZ of December 29, 1995 on the simplified system of taxation, registration and reporting of small businesses, Chapter 26.2 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation does not contain any mention of the fact that the simplified system of taxation is applied only to small businesses.

The challenged item is recognised as invalid inasmuch as it prevents the switching over of municipal unitary enterprises to the simplified system of taxation proceeding from the meaning attached to it by the tax bodies.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 67 of February 9, 2004 on the Amendments to the Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 379 of June 30, 2003

The amendments are introduced in the Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation specifying additional restrictions on the investing of resources of accumulated pensions in individual classes of assets and defining the maximum share of individual classes of assets in the investment portfolio.

The shares of assets in the investment portfolio built at the expense of resources handed over to the Pension Fund of Russia in trust control by the management company and in the investment portfolio of a non-state pension fund engaged in obligatory pension insurance are defined in percent of their cost (in roubles) proceeding from the amount of resources on accounts and deposits in credit organisations and the market cost of securities forming the appropriate investment portfolio.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 64 of February 9, 2004 on the Amendments to the Decisions of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 92 of February 8, 2002 and No. 93 of February 8, 2002

The changes are introduced in the Decisions of the Government of the Russian Federation specifying the norms of expenses of organisations for compensations for the use of personal cars and motorcycles for business trips, as well as for the daily and field allowances where such expenses are qualified as other expenses pertaining to production and sales in the determination of the taxable base for the profit tax from organisations.

The Decision specifies that if the system of taxation for agricultural producers is applied (uniform agricultural tax), the mentioned norms shall be used from January 1, 2004 to determine expenses for the paying out of compensation for the use of personal cars and motorcycles for business trips, as well as for the daily and field allowances.

The Decision is entered into force from the day of its official publication and applies to legal relations emerging from January 1, 2004.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 60 of February 6, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Forms of the Typical Contract on Obligatory Pension Insurance between a Non-State Pension Fund and the Insured, Forms of Applications of the Insured to Transfer to a Non-State Pension Fund and Transfer to the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation

The typical form of the contract defines the subject of the contract, the rights and duties of the fund, the insured, procedure of registration of the resources of accumulated pensions and investing of the given resources by the management company. Regulates in detail the procedure of assigning and paying out of the accumulated part of the labour pension to the insured and making payments to his successors. The contract is concluded for an indefinite period of time.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1375-U of January 16, 2004 on the Rules of Drawing up and Submission of Reports of Credit Organisations to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation

Specifies the obligatory for the credit organisations (their branches), parent credit organisations of the bank/consolidated groups general rules of drawing up and submission of accounting and statistical reports to the Bank of Russia.

Credit organisations must draw up and submit to the Bank of Russia reports according to the "List of Forms of Reports and Other Information of Credit Organisations Submitted to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation" specified in the Direction of the Bank of Russia No. 1376-U of January 16, 2004.

The forms of reports must contain all envisaged for them indicators. If the data for one or more figures is not available, the zero is entered in the appropriate column (line) for digital indicators and a dash for the symbols. If the form of the report contains only zeros, credit organisations shall send to the Bank of Russia a report of absence of appropriate data, or report with zero indicators. The forms of reports must be filled out according to the form attached to the Direction. The blank forms of reports are provided in the credit organisations independently.

The Direction is entered into force 10 days after the day of its official publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 10, 2004. Reg. No. 5534.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-23/1 of January 5, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Form of the Tax Declaration for the Profit Tax from a Foreign Organisation and on Amendments to Its Filling Instruction

Endorses the new form of the tax declaration for the profit tax from a foreign organisation (KND 1151038).

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on January 29, 2004. Reg. No. 5495.

Letter of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation No. 02-18/07-565 of January 28, 2004 on the Filling of the Reverse Side of the Disability Sheet

Pursuant to the introduction from January 1, 2004 of the new procedure of calculation of the temporary disability allowance and the maternity allowance, explains the procedure of filling of the reverse side of the disability sheet. Thus, section "Information on the Earnings" and column "Months" should indicate the estimated period of the earnings taken into account (12 calendar months preceding the month of the occurred disability, maternity leave, or less than three months for the appropriate employees getting the allowance in the amount not greater than the minimum amount of labour remuneration for the full calendar month).

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 74 of February 12, 2004 on the Fixing of the Cost of Living in Per Capita Figures and for the Main Sociodemographic Groups of Population for the Whole of the Russian Federation for the IV Quarter of 2003

Fixes the cost of living for the whole of the Russian Federation for the IV quarter of 2003 in the amount of Rbl 2,143 per capita, Rbl 2,341 for able-bodied population, Rbl 1,625 for pensioners, Rbl 2,113 for children

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 72 of February 10, 2004 on the Amendments to the List of Commodities Subject to Obligatory Certification, the List of Products with Compliance Certified with the Declaration of Compliance and on Invalidation of the List of Works and Services Subject to Obligatory Certification

Significant changes are introduced in the list of commodities subject to obligatory certification endorsed by the Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1013 of August 13, 1997. From October 1, 2004, medicines are exempted from the obligatory certification and the medicines (codes 931000-937000 OKP) registered according to established procedure and consisting of mixed and unmixed products for use in therapy packed as dosed medicines or in retail trade package must have the declaration of compliance. According to the introduced changes, perfumery is exempted from obligatory certification.

The Decision specifies that the products excluded from Sections "Rubber Technical and Asbestos Products" and "Optical Instruments and Equipment" are exempted from obligatory compliance confirmation. Invalidates the list of works and services subject to obligatory certification.

The list of commodities requiring declaration of compliance now does not include compressed natural power gas for internal combustion engines. The mentioned list includes fuses, plugs, sockets, equipment for trade enterprises, beer, malt drinks, mineralised waters, as well as some types of printed items.

Order of the Ministry of Public Health of the Russian Federation No. 31 of January 30, 2004 on the Partial Invalidation of Item 2.5 of the Industry Sector Standard "Rules of Release (Sale) of Medicines in Apothecary Organisations. Main Provisions" Endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Public Health of Russia No. 80 of March 4, 2003

The mentioned item is partially invalidated pursuant to the adoption of the Decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation No. GKPI 03-607 of September 11, 2003, thus lifting the earlier available restrictions for the apothecary kiosks and shops to sale items of medical destination, disinfectants, items of personal hygiene, optical items, natural and artificial mineral waters, medicinal, child and dietetic foodstuffs, cosmetics and perfumery.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 11, 2004. Reg. No. 5541.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-21/726 of December 29, 2003 on the Endorsement of the Form of the Tax Declaration for the Payment for the Use of Water Objects and Its Filling Instruction

Endorses the new form of the tax declaration for the payment for the use of water objects (Form KND 1151032) and its filling Instruction.

The Order is entered into force beginning with the tax period for January (I quarter) 2004.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 11, 2004. Reg. No. 5539.

Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 14n of January 28, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Procedure of Providing of Information by Insurers of Conclusion, Prolongation and Termination of the Contract of Obligatory Insurance of the Liability of a Specialised Depositary and the Management Companies

Insurers shall send the mentioned information to the Ministry of Finance of Russia within three working days from the date conclusion, prolongation and termination of the appropriate contract. Information is submitted on paper medium according to the attached form together with the cover letter drawn up in free form.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 11, 2004. Reg. No. 5538.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 73 of February 12, 2004 on the Amendments to the Decisions of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 318 of March 15, 1997, No. 346 of June 19, 2003 and No. 395 of June 30,

Application of the insured to choose the investment portfolio (management company) submitted before December 31, 2003 must be considered in the Pension Fund of Russia before March 1, 2004. In case of refusal to satisfy the application of the insured to choose the investment portfolio (management company), or the application remains unconsidered, the Pension Fund of Russia shall notify of it the insured no later than March 31, 2004.

The Pension Fund of Russia shall provide for the transfer before March 31, 2004 of accumulated pensions to the selected by the insured management companies and the state management company according to the procedure specified in the contracts of trust control of the resources of accumulated pensions. The transfer applies to the amounts of insurance contributions financing the accumulated part of the labour pension received in the Pension Fund of Russia during the year 2002 and the net financial result obtained from their temporary placement.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 71 of February 10, 2004 on the Creation, Reorganisation and Liquidation of the Federal State Enterprises

Decisions on the creation, reorganisation and liquidation of the federal state institutions are taken by the Government of the Russian Federation on the basis of draft acts prepared by the federal bodies of executive power in coordination with the Ministry of Property Relations of Russia, Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, Ministry of Labour of Russia and the Ministry of Finance of Russia. The draft decision must contain the subject and goals of activities of the institution, as well as the limiting employee payroll and the amount of allocations to maintain the created (reorganised) institution within the limits of resources envisaged for these purposes in the federal budget. The charter of the federal state institution is endorsed by the federal body of executive power in charge of the coordination and regulation of activities in the appropriate sphere (sphere of management) in coordination with the Ministry of Property Relations of Russia and the Ministry of Finance of Russia.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1378-U of January 16, 2004 on the Adjustment of the Acts of the Bank of Russia

Pursuant to the adoption of the Instruction of the Bank of Russia No. 110-I of January 16, 2004 on the obligatory normatives for the banks entering into force from April 1, 2004 invalidates the Instruction of the Bank of Russia No. 1 of October 1, 1997 on the procedure of regulation of activities of the banks with amendments, as well as individual operative directions on the application of this Instruction.

The Direction is entered into force from April 1, 2004.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 83 of February 14, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Rules of Providing Budget Loans from the Federal Budget to the Subjects of the Russian Federation to Cover Temporary Cash Deficits

The temporary cash deficit emerging in the execution of the consolidated budget of the subject of the Russian Federation is defined as under-received in a certain period of the fiscal year incomes to implement the expenses envisaged in the budget of the subject of the Russian Federation taking into account the sources of financing of the budget deficit. If such deficit is available or forecasted, the body of executive power of the subject of the Russian Federation may apply to the Ministry of Finance of Russian Federation to get the budget loan. Budget loans are provided for not more than 6 months within the fiscal year. The budget loan is not provided to the subject of the Russian Federation with an overdue debt in the earlier obtained budget loans.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 82 of February 14, 2004 on the Procedure and Terms of Financing in 2004 of Preventive Measures Aimed at Reduction of Industrial Injuries and Occupational Diseases of Employees

Defines the procedure and terms of partial financing in 2004 of preventive measures aimed at reduction of industrial injuries and occupational diseases of insurant employees including the financing of periodic medical examinations and preventive treatment, in particular, sanatoria and resort treatment of employees engaged in works with adverse and hazardous factors. The list of preventive measures is endorsed by the Ministry of Labour of Russia in coordination with the Social Insurance Fund of Russia and serves as grounds for the working out of the plan of insurant preventive measures.
The amount of resources allocated by the insurant for the partial financing of preventive measures may not be greater than 20% of the amounts of insurance contributions transferred by this insurant to the Social Insurance Fund of Russia during the year 2003. Decision on the partial financing or refusal of it is taken by the Social Insurance Fund of Russia within 15 days from the day of submission of the application by the insurant. Applications are accepted before July 1, 2004.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 80 of February 14, 2004 on the Measures to Implement the Federal Law on the Federal Budget for the Year 2004

To implement the Federal Law on the federal budget for the year 2004, distributes the duties and issues orders to the federal bodies of executive power. Execution of the federal budget is implemented according to the summary budget list of the federal budget for the year 2004. Any amendments to the budget list inspiring creditor indebtedness reducing expenses is not permitted.
The recipient of the resources of the federal budget, when concluding contracts for supplies of commodities, works, services to be covered at the expense of the resources of the federal budget, may envisage advance payments. The contracts for communication services, subscription for printed matter, study at professional development courses, purchase of air and railway tickets, tickets for the urban and suburban transportation, as well as accommodations for sanatoria and resort treatment, may envisage advance payments in the amount of 100% or 30% for other contracts.
For the year 2004, there is a limit for provided tax credits, respites, extension schedules for the payment of federal taxes and fees fixed in the amount not greater than Rbl 750 million. The Decision lists the acts of the Government of the Russian Federation prolonged for the year 2004 pursuant to the adoption of the Law on the federal budget for the year 2004. In particular, prolongs the rules of paying out in 2003 to individual categories of citizens of preliminary compensation (compensation) for the deposits in the Savings Bank of the Russian Federation and some insurance organisations being guaranteed savings.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 77 of February 13, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Typical Insurance Rules of a Non-State Pension Fund Engaged in Activities in Obligatory Pension Insurance

The rules define the procedure and terms of execution by a non-state pension fund of obligations under the contracts of obligatory pension insurance concluded by this fund and the insured in favour of this person or his heirs. The execution of the duties by the find implies the assigning and paying out to the insured of the accumulated part of the labour pension, paying out of accumulated pension to the heirs of the insured, handing over of accumulated pensions to another insurer. The Decision specifies that the fund secures its liabilities with all the property owned by it.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1377-U of January 16, 2004 on the Invalidation of Individual Normative Acts of the Bank of Russia

Pursuant to the adoption of the Directions of the Bank of Russia No. 1375-U and No. 1376-U of January 16, 2004 specifying the rules of drawing up and submission of reports by credit organisations to the Bank of Russia, as well as the list, forms and procedure of submission of these reports, invalidates individual normative acts of the Bank of Russia. In particular, invalidates the Direction of the Bank of Russia No. 7-U of October 24, 1997 on the procedure of drawing up and submission of reports by credit organisations to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.
The Direction is entered into force from April 1, 2004 and must be published officially in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 84 of February 16, 2004 on the Amendments to the Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 914 of December 2, 2000

Amends the rules of keeping of logbooks of received and drawn up invoices, purchase ledger and sales ledger in the estimates of the value added tax. The mentioned rules are being brought in compliance with the Federal Law No. 117-FZ of July 7, 2003 having entered into force from January 1, 2004. The new wording is provided for the forms of the purchase ledger and the sales ledger. The mentioned forms include the column envisaging the 18% tax rate and preserve the column for the calculation of the 20% VAT rate.

The changes were also made to the form of the invoice. Thus, the "Seal", "Issued by" and the "Signature of the Seller Representative in Charge" are omitted.

The Decision specifies that invoices issued when selling commodities (carrying out works, rendering services) by organisations and independent entrepreneurs for cash must be registered in the sales ledger. In this case, the readings of control tapes of cash registers are registered in the sales ledger without the amounts of appropriate invoices.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 51 of February 6, 2004 on the Amendments to and Invalidation of Some of the Decisions of the Government of the Russian Federation Pertaining to Improvement of State Management in the Russian Federation

The amendments are introduced pursuant to the abolishment from July 1, 2003 of the Federal Border Guard Service of the Russian Federation, Federal Agency of Governmental Communication and Information of the President of the Russian Federation and the Federal Service of the Tax Police. The functions of the Federal Border Guard Service are handed over to the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation incorporating the Border Guard Service. The functions of the Federal Agency of Governmental Communication and Information of the Russian Federation are handed over to the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation and the Service of Special Communication and Information. The functions of the Federal Service of the Tax Police are handed over to the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances and the Federal Service for Economic and Tax Crimes of the Ministry of Internal Affairs o f the Russian Federation.

Order of the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances No. 306 of December 31, 2003 on the Endorsement of the Typical Internal Rules of the Bodies in Charge of Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances

The divisions, territorial bodies and organisations of the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances shall have a strictly regulated daily routine stipulated by the particulars of service activities and operative situation, time of the year, local conditions and other specific circumstances. The typical rules shall define for the personnel, federal state servants and employees of the bodies of the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances the length of the working week, length, beginning, end and procedure of registration of the service (working) time, time of breaks for rest and meals, on-duty (shift) schedules in cases of shift work, procedure of work in excess of the specified service (working) time, as well as on week-ends and holidays.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5550.

Order of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation No. 23 of January 14, 2004 on the Organisation of Reception, Registration, Record Keeping and Consideration in the Bodies of the Federal Security Service of Reports of Crimes and Other Criminal Information

Information of crimes may be received in the security bodies in the form of applications, surrender, reports of committed or anticipated crimes, other sources. The body of investigation, investigator must accept and verify the report of any committed or anticipated crime and take the decision on it within the scope of authority specified in the Code of Criminal Procedures of the Russian Federation no later than within 3 days from the day of receiving of the mentioned report. The applicant gets the document of reception of the report of the crime with information on the person having accepted it, as well as the date and time of reception.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5548.

Decision of the Federal Commission for Securities Market No. 03-51/ps of December 24, 2003 on the Amendments to the Regulation on the Particulars of Issue of Bonds and Disclosing of Information by International Financial Organisations on the Territory of the Russian Federation Endorsed by the Decision of the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia No. 03-24/ps of April 24, 2003

Specifies that the bond prospectus must indicate the time specified in the decision of issue (additional issue) of the bonds when the delay of execution of obligations by the issuer is considered to be a significant violation of the terms of the concluded loan contract. The quarterly report is submitted by the issuer to the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia no later than within 90 days from the end of the reported quarter.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5547.

Decision of the State Standards Committee of the Russian Federation No. 4 of January 30, 2004 on the National Standards of the Russian Federation

From July 1, 2003, adopted earlier by the State Standards Committee of Russia state and interstate standards are recognised as national standards. Before the entry into force of the appropriate technical regulations, the requirements to the products, production processes, operation, storage, transportation, sale and utilisation specified in the mentioned national standards must be executed on the obligatory basis only when pertaining to the protection of the life and health of citizens, property of natural persons or legal entities, state or municipal property, protection of the environment, life and health of animals and plants, prevention of actions misleading the buyers.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5546.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 89 of February 17, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Fundamentals of Price Forming in the Sphere of Housing and Communal Services

Defines the main principles and methods of price forming for the services in the maintenance and repair of dwelling space, dwelling space leasing and tariff rates for communal services, as well as the rules of regulation and application of these prices and tariff rates.

Regulation applies to the prices for the dwelling space (including the prices for the services in the maintenance, repair of the housing space and leasing) and the tariff rates for communal services (including tariff rates for the services in water supplies, water disposal, central heating, hot water supplies, electric power supplies, supplies of solid fuels, services in network and liquefied gas supplies, gas supplies in flasks).

To fix the prices and tariff rates, the method of economic substantiation is used. In addition, there is a method of indexing that changes the prices and tariff rates fixed using the method of substantiation with deflator indexes fixed by the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia.

It is not permitted to apply within one estimated period of regulation different methods of fixing of prices and tariff rates for organisations engaged in the same regulated types of activities.

Control over application of prices and tariff rates, including the substantiation of their amount, is vested in the bodies in charge of the regulation.

Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 13n of January 28, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Procedure of Disclosing of Information on the Structure and Composition of Stock-Holders (Participants) of a Specialised Depositary and Management Companies

Specialised depositary and management companies must submit on the annual basis no later than July 1 of the year following the reported one information according to the attached form on the structure and composition of stock-holders (participants) with the share in the registered capital of the specialised depositary or management company being at least 1 percent. The Ministry of Finance of Russia shall provide for the disclosing of provided information on the Internet site of the Ministry of Finance of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 17, 2004. Reg. No. 5561.

Instruction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 109-I of January 14, 2004 on the Procedure of Adoption by the Bank of Russia of the Decision on the State Registration of Credit Organisations and Issue of Licenses for Bank Operations

Specifies the particulars of the procedure of adoption by the Bank of Russia of the decision on the state registration of credit organisations and issue of licenses for bank operations.

The credit organisation may be created on the basis of any property form as an economic company (joint-stock company, limited-liability or additional-responsibility company). The founders of the credit organisation must pay 100% of the declared registered capital of the credit organisation specified in the charter of the credit organisation within one month from the day of receiving of the notification of the state registration. For the opening of the branch, the credit organisation pays the fee of 100 minimum amounts of labour remuneration as of the moment of issue of the notification of the Bank of Russia of the opening of the branch of the credit organisation.

The Instruction applies to legal relations in the sphere of state registration of credit organisations and issue of licenses for bank operations if by the day of its entry into force, the Bank of Russia did not take decisions envisaged in the Instruction as a result of consideration of the documents submitted by credit organisations and/or other entities.

The Instruction is entered into force 10 days after the moment of its publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5551.

Decision of the Ministry of Labour of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 1/1n of January 12, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Procedure of Calculation and Confirmation of the Length of State Service Permitting to Get the Length-of-Service Pension of the Federal State Servants and Determination of the Compliance of Positions with the Periods of Service (Work) in Them Included in the Length of State Service

The endorsed procedure regulates the issues of calculation of the length of state service permitting to get the length-of-service pension of the federal state servants, confirmation of this length of service, determination of compliance of positions, inclusion in the length of state service permitting to assign the length-of-service pension.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5549.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 90 of February 18, 2004 on the Endorsement of the List of Commodities Produced Using the Property of Organisations Not Exempted from the Property Tax from Organisations and/or Sold by Such Organisations

The mentioned list includes automobile tyres, hunting rifles, yachts, motor boats (other than special-purpose ones), products of the ferrous and non-ferrous metal industry (other than second-hand raw materials and metal items), precious stones and precious metals, fur items (other than those for children), high-quality items of crystal and porcelain, caviar, finished delicacies of valuable fishes and sea products.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1382-U of February 2, 2004 on the Amendments to the Regulation of the Bank of Russia No. 205-P of December 5, 2002 on the Rules of Accounting Work in Credit Organisations Located on the Territory of the Russian Federation

The Chart of Accounts in credit organisations is extended to include new passive Balance Accounts 30126, 30226, 30410, 30607, 60405 "Reserves for Possible Losses". Balance Accounts 50212 and 50506 "Reserves for Devaluated Securities" are excluded.

The Direction changes the names of the Balance Accounts 20321, 47425, 47702, 50709, 50809, 60105, 60206, 60324. In the new wording, their name is "Reserves for Possible Losses". The mentioned accounts are intended to register the flow (forming (accrual), recovery (reduction)) of reserves for possible losses. Analytical records are arranged on the personal accounts opened for each contractor of a credit organisation under the deal in the framework of concluded contracts. The records are maintained in the currency of the Russian Federation.

Appropriate changes are introduced in the description of the mentioned accounts, scheme of analytical records of incomes and expenses and the report of profits and losses. The changes are also introduced in the balance report of the credit organisation and the procedure of accounting work for investments in securities and operations with securities.

The Direction is entered into force 10 days after the day of its official publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 19, 2004. Reg. No. 5571.

Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation No. 63 of February 4, 2004 on the Amendment to the Interim Procedure of Exchange of the Passport of the Citizen of the USSR for the Passport of the Citizen of the Russian Federation for the Citizen Registered at the Place of Residence in One of the Subjects of the Russian Federation and Actually Living or Registered at the Place of Residence in Another Subject of the Russian Federation Endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia No. 347 of May 24, 2003

The changes are introduced in view of the prolongation of the time of replacement of the passports of the citizens of the USSR for the passports of the citizens of the Russian Federation till July 1, 2004.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 19, 2004. Reg. No. 5566.

Order of the State Customs Committee of the Russian Federation No. 160 of February 6, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Procedure of Certification of the Specialists of the Customs Registration

Defines the qualification requirements to the specialist of the customs registration and specifies the procedure of passing of the qualification examination to get the qualification certificate of the specialist of the customs registration. Lists the documents submitted together with the application for the certification.

The qualification examination is arranged by the regional customs departments simultaneously on the whole territory of the Russian Federation at least two times in a calendar year.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 19, 2004. Reg. No. 5565.

Order of the Ministry for Antimonopoly Policy of the Russian Federation No. 33 of January 30, 2004 on the Amendments to the Regulation on the Procedure of Approval of the Deals Pertaining to the Purchase of Assets or Stocks (Shares in the Registered Capital) of Financial Organisations, As Well As the Rights Permitting to Define the Terms of Entrepreneurial Activities or Implement the Functions of the Executive Body of a Financial Organisation Endorsed by the Order of the Ministry for Antimonopoly Policy of Russia No. 210 of February 28, 2001

Specifies that the request for the purchase by legal entities and/or natural persons of more than 20% of the stocks (shares in the registered capital) in cases of changing of the registered capital of a financial organisation is submitted to the antimonopoly bodies by the person (persons) buying the stocks (shares in the registered capital).

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 17, 2004. Reg. No. 5560.

Decision of the Federal Commission for Securities Market No. 03-48/ps of December 24, 2003 on the Procedure of Qualification of Securities

The endorsed procedure regulates the relations emerging when the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia qualifies the securities. For the purposes of qualification, the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia may check the legal entities whose activities at the securities market are regulated by the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia, as well as demand submission of the documents necessary for the solving of the qualification issues. No later than within 3 days from the date of adoption of the decision of qualification of securities, the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia shall send the notification of the adopted decision and, if necessary, also an order (including the one on elimination of violations of the legislation of the Russian Federation on securities) obligatory for execution.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 17, 2004. Reg. No. 5555.

Order of the State Customs Committee of the Russian Federation No. 91 of January 26, 2004 on the Amendments to the Order of the State Customs Committee of Russia No. 768 of August 28, 2000

Amends the Order of the State Customs Committee of Russia specifying the particulars of declaring of currencies and securities moved by natural persons.

The currencies and securities are declared in the customs body of the Russian Federation in writing by submitting the cargo customs decoration or in the electronic form. While filling out the cargo customs declaration, Column 53 "Customs Office and the Country of Destination" is not filled out.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 17, 2004. Reg. No. 5554.

Federal Law No. 3-FZ of February 19, 2004 on the Ratification of the Treaty on the Fundamentals of Relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Nicaragua

Ratifies the Treaty signed in New York on September 18, 2002. The contracting parties develop mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation. The parties shall assist business contacts and links, assist direct links between enterprises, companies and other economic subjects and organisations of both countries, as well as provide, in framework of their national legislations, bilateral agreements and on the basis of the principle of reciprocity, for the maximum beneficial conditions of such entrepreneurial and other economic activities. The parties shall implement bilateral cooperation in the interests of a stable development and solution of socio-economic tasks of their states including attraction of investments, improvement of use of natural resources and economic potential.

Federal Law No. 2-FZ of February 19, 2004 on the Ratification of the Treaty on Friendly Relations and Cooperation between the Russian Federation and Romania

Ratifies the Treaty signed in Moscow on July 4, 2003. The Treaty envisages expansion of economic cooperation, creation of favourable conditions for development of up-to-date forms of trade exchange, economic and scientific and technical cooperation. The parties shall assist establishing direct links and cooperation between the subjects of entrepreneurial (economic) activities, as well as promote development of cooperation in the sphere of capital investments.

      Besides, the parties shall encourage expansion of contacts between the citizens of both states, including mutual trips of citizens for business, economic, cultural and scientific purposes, as well as for private matters.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 96 of February 20, 2004 on the Summary Register of Organisations of the Defence Industry Complex

The Summary Register of Organisations of the Defence Industry Complex is a federal information system containing information on organisations included in the Register, on their property and financial standing and on the economic efficiency of activities. The Register includes organisations possessing as property, in economic management or operative control isolated property, including equipment and production space, as well as possessing qualified personnel for development, production, repair and utilisation of armaments, military and special equipment. Information contained in the Register is of restricted-access nature. Creation and keeping of the Register is vested in the Ministry of Industry and Science of Russia.

Decision of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation of February 25, 2004 on the Case of Constitutionality of Item 10 of Article 75 of the Federal Law on the Main Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right to Participate in the Referendum of the Citizens of the Russian Federation and Part 1 of Article 259 of the Code of Civil Procedures of the Russian Federation Pursuant to the Request of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation

The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation recognised as not complying with the Constitution of the Russian Federation the provision of Item 10 of Article 75 of the Federal Law on the main guarantees of electoral rights and the right to participate in the referendum of the citizens of the Russian Federation and Part 1 of Article 259 of the Code of Civil Procedures of the Russian Federation stating that if the violations mentioned in the appeal or application on the decisions and actions (failure to act) violating electoral rights of citizens and the right of citizens to participate in the referendum affect a significant number of citizens, or the violation acquired a special public significance because of other circumstances, the Central Electoral Commission of the Russian Federation may apply to the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation that has to consider the appeal.

The Decision is entered into force immediately after annunciation.

Decision of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation of February 24, 2004 on the Case of Constitutionality of Individual Provisions of Articles 74 and 77 of the Federal Law on Joint-Stock Companies (in the Wording of December 26, 1995) Regulating the Procedure of Consolidation of Placed Stocks of the Joint-Stock Company and Redemption of Fractional Stocks Pursuant to the Appeals of Citizens, a Legal Entity and Request of the Oktyabrsky Regional Court of the City of Penza

The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation recognised as not contradicting the Constitution of the Russian Federation interconnected provisions of Paragraph 2 of Item 1 of Article 74 and Article 77 of the Federal Law on joint-stock companies (in the wording of May 24, 1999) stating that in case of forming of fractional stocks during consolidation, the latter must be redeemed by the company at the market value. The given provisions imply taking into account the rights and legal interests of the holders of fractional stocks by applying appropriate legal procedures and an efficient judicial control over the decisions taken by the Board of Directors (Supervising Board) and the general meeting of stock-holders. The revealed constitutional and legal meaning is obligatory to all and excludes any other their interpretation in the judicial practice.

Decisions on the cases of stock-holder citizens based on the mentioned provisions in the interpretation other than their constitutional and legal meaning revealed by the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation must be revised according to established procedure.

The Decision is entered into force immediately after annunciation.

Federal Law No. 4-FZ of February 22, 2004 on the Amendment to Article 25 of the Federal Law on the Military Duty and the Military Service

Sets forth that the citizens living in individual regions of the Far North or individual localities of the similar status are called up for the military service from May 1 through June 30 or from November 1 through December 31. The list of the mentioned regions and localities, as well as the draft time for the citizens living in these regions and localities, are defined by the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

Earlier, the draft in the given category applied to the citizens living only in individual regions of the Far North according to the list defined by the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation only from May 1 through June 30. Other citizens are called up for the military service according to the commonly accepted procedure.

The Federal Law is entered into force from the day of its official publication.

Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 264 of February 24, 2004 on the Government of the Russian Federation

From February 24, 2004, sends the Government of the Russian Federation into retirement. The Government continues to execute their functions before the forming of the new composition of the main executive body of power of the country. The duties of the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation are vested temporarily in the Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation V.B.Khristenko.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 99 of February 21, 2004 on the Organisation of the Transfer of the Forestry Lands into Non-Forestry Ones for Their Use for the Purposes Other Than the Forestry Industry, Use of the Forestry Fund, As Well As the Transfer of the Lands of the Forestry Fund into Other Land Categories

As an exception, permits the bodies of state power to transfer the forestry lands into non-forestry ones and to transfer the lands of the forestry fund into other land categories according to the available in the present time procedure of transfer of the forestry lands into non-forestry ones for their use for the purposes other than the forestry industry, use of the forestry fund, and/or withdrawal of the lands of the forestry fund in the presence of the positive statement of the state ecological expertise while observing the requirements of the forestry and land legislation of the Russian Federation.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 98 of February 21, 2004 on the Amendments to the Customs Tariff of the Russian Federation Pertaining to the Import of Individual Types of Technological Equipment to the Customs Territory of the Russian Federation

For 9 months introduces the rates of the import customs duties for certain types of equipment for drink and commodity packing, as well as for certain types of self-propelled mechanisms and machine-tools using electric discharge processes.

The Decision is entered into force one month after the day of its official publication.

Order of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Public Health of the Russian Federation No. 18/29 of January 29, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Instruction on the Procedure of Providing Blank Disability Sheets, Their Registration and Storage

Defines the procedure of providing blank disability sheets for the medical organisations licensed to carry out works and render appropriate medical aid services, including the temporary disability expertise, as well as their registration and storage. Provides the forms necessary for the mentioned document turnover.

The making of the blank disability sheets is vested in the Social Insurance Fund of Russia. All medical organisations must submit to the pubic health management bodies on the quarterly basis before the 5th of the month following the reported quarter the request reports to obtain blank disability sheets regardless of the demand for these blank forms.

The blank disability sheets are strict-reporting documents and must be stored in special rooms, safes or in specially made iron-coated cabinets with safe internal or hanging locks. The rooms, safes, cabinets used to store the blank forms must be locked and sealed. The blank forms must be registered in accounting records on a systematic basis on off-balance accounts.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 19, 2004. Reg. No. 5573.

Decision of the Higher Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation No. 14770/03 of January 22, 2004

The applicant challenged the provisions of the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-22/135 of March 26, 2003 amending the logbook of incomes and expenses of organisations and independent entrepreneurs using the simplified system of taxation and the procedure of recording of economic operations in it. According to the amendments, the taxpayers using the simplified system of taxation must record in the logbook of incomes and expenses not only the figures of their activities necessary for the calculation of the taxable base and the amount of the uniform tax, but also keep records of incomes and expenses other than those affecting the mentioned calculation.

The Higher Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation recognised the mentioned Order of the Ministry of Taxation as not complying with the Tax Code of the Russian Federation and invalid inasmuch as it pertains to independent entrepreneurs.

Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 230 of February 20, 2004 on the Amendments to the List of Equipment, Materials and Technologies That May Be Used to Create Missile Weapons Subject to Export Control

Amends the sections pertaining to flight control systems, engine and equipment elements, design materials, fuel and chemicals, as well as other equipment, materials and instruments.

The Decree is entered into force three months after the day of its official publication.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1387-U of February 17, 2004 on the Adjustment of the Normative Acts of the Bank of Russia

Pursuant to the entry into force of the Regulation on the disclosing of information by issuers of emission securities endorsed by the Decision of the Federal Commission for Securities Market of the Russian Federation No. 03-32/ps of July 2, 2003, invalidates the Regulation of the Bank of Russia No. 43-P of July 2, 1998 on the disclosing of information by the Bank of Russia and credit organisations being participants of financial markets.

The Direction is entered into force 10 days after the day of its publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-09/97@ of February 11, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Methodology Recommendations for the Tax Bodies on the Uniform Procedure of Removal from Records and Registration in the Tax Bodies of the Biggest Russian Taxpayer Organisations Because of the Change of the Place of Location

Defines the procedure of removal from records and registration in the tax bodies of the biggest Russian taxpayer organisations in view of the change of their place of location.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-09/96@ of February 11, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Methodology Recommendations for the Tax Bodies on the Uniform Procedure of Removal from Records and Registration in the Tax Bodies of the Biggest Russian Taxpayer Organisations Because of the Reorganisation and the Methodology Recommendations for the Tax Bodies on the Uniform Procedure of Removal from Records in the Tax Bodies of the Biggest Russian Taxpayer Organisations Because of the Liquidation

Defines the procedure of removal from records and registration in the tax bodies of the biggest Russian taxpayer organisations in view of the reorganisation and the procedure of removal from records in view of the liquidation.

Letter of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation No. 02-18/07-829 of February 9, 2004 on the Amount of the Maternity Allowance

From January 1, 2004, the maternity allowance is paid out as earlier in the amount of the average earnings regardless of the duration of the uninterrupted length of work. The amount of the allowance may not be greater than the maximum amount of the maternity allowance (Rbl 11,700).

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-03/89 of February 9, 2004 on the Amendments to the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-03/25 of January 21, 2002 on the Endorsement of the Instruction on the Filling of Declaration for the Value Added Tax

The Instruction for the filling of the VAT declaration is being brought in compliance with the recent changes in the legislation. The Instruction is intended for the filling of the forms of VAT declarations endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-03/644 of November 20, 2003.

The Order is entered into force beginning with the tax period for January 2004 (I quarter).

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 26, 2004. Reg. No. 5589.

Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 9n of January 22, 2004 on the Amendments to the Instruction on the Procedure of Opening and Keeping by the Federal Treasury Bodies of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation of the Personal Accounts for Registration of Operations in Execution of Expenses of the Federal Budget Endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 142n of December 31, 2002

Amends the procedure of opening, keeping, redrawing and closing of the personal accounts. In particular, specifies that at the opening of the personal account of the recipient of the resources for the Chief Administrator of Resources, the card of the specimens of signatures is singed by the head and the chief accountant (other authorised persons) of the Chief Administrator of Resources and certified with the round seal of the Chief Administrator of Resources. Another certifying signature is not required.

Also changes the procedure of recording of operations on the personal accounts. The federal treasury bodies, on the monthly basis no later than the third of the month following the reported one, shall verify operations of the flow of limits of the budget resources, the volumes of financing and cash expenses recorded on the personal accounts of recipients of resources and personal accounts of another recipient of resources.

A new wording is provided of the forms of applications for the opening, redrawing and closing of the personal account, the cards of the specimens of signatures, permission to open an account in the division of the Bank of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 25, 2004. Reg. No. 5582.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-22/154@ of February 26, 2004 on the Invalidation of the Orders of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-22/706 of December 10, 2002, No. BG-3-22/191 of April 17, 2003, No. BG-3-22/573 of October 28, 2003

Invalidates the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-22/706 of December 10, 2002 on the endorsement of the methodology recommendations on the application of Chapter 26.2 "Simplified System of Taxation" of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation with amendments.

Procedure of Calculation of Insurance Contributions (Endorsed by the Decision of the Board of Directors of the State Corporation "Deposit Insurance Agency" of February 3, 2004 (Protocol 3))

The procedure regulates the relations pertaining to the calculation of the estimate base and estimate period for the payment of insurance contributions to the Deposit Obligatory Insurance Fund. The document envisages the particulars of calculation of issuance contributions for an incomplete estimate period, as well as regulates other relations pertaining to the procedure of calculation of insurance contributions.

The estimate base for the calculation of insurance contributions is defined as the average chronological for the estimate period of the daily balance residues on the accounts used to record the deposits, except for the monetary resources exempted from insurance. The estimate period for the payment of insurance contributions is a calendar quarter of the year.

Procedure of Payment of Insurance Contributions (Endorsed by the Decision of the Management Board of the State Corporation "Deposit Insurance Agency" of February 5, 2004 (Protocol 2))

Defines the particulars of transfer of insurance contributions on the agency accounts in the Bank of Russia used to register the monetary resources of the Deposit Obligatory Insurance Fund. The procedure also regulates the relations pertaining to the failure to pay, untimely, incomplete or excessive payment of the amount of insurance contributions and defines the consequences of the failure to fulfil the duty to pay insurance contributions by the bank. The estimate period for the payment of insurance contributions by the bank is a calendar quarter of the year. The first estimate period for the payment of insurance contributions is the period from the day of the bank entry in the register of banks participating in the deposit insurance system to the day of the end of the calendar quarter when the bank was entered in the mentioned register.

The payment of insurance contributions is effected by the bank in the currency of the Russian Federation within 5 days from the day of the end of the estimate period by transferring the monetary resources to the account of the Deposit Insurance Fund.

Letter of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation No. 02-18/07-773 of February 5, 2004 on the Procedure of Calculation of the Temporary Disability, Maternity Allowances

Provides 11 examples of calculation of the temporary disability, maternity allowances for use in practical work as specified in Article 8 of the Federal Law No. 166-FZ of December 8, 2003 on the budget of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation for the year 2004.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 56 of February 6, 2004 on the General Rules of Preparation, Organisation and Holding of the Meetings of Creditors and Sessions of Committees of Creditors by the Bankruptcy Commissioners

The bankruptcy commissioner shall present for consideration by the meeting of creditors materials on the financial standing, debtor bankruptcy procedures and other materials permitting to adopt decisions on the issues of the agenda. The protocol of the meeting of creditors is drawn up in duplicate and is signed by the bankruptcy commissioner. One copy of the protocol is sent by the bankruptcy commissioner to the court within 5 days from the date of the meeting of creditors. If the meeting of creditors is arranged by the person demanding its convocation, the protocol of the meeting of creditors is drawn up in triplicate, with the first copy being sent to the court, the second - to the bankruptcy commissioner no later than within 5 days from the date of the meeting of creditors, and the third copy preserved with the person having arranged the meeting.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 55 of February 6, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Rules of Handing over of Accumulated Pensions Financing the Accumulated Part of the Labour Pension from One Non-State Pension Fund to Another Non-State Pension Fund or from a Non-State Pension Fund to the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation and Determination of Their Cost

Defines the rules of handing over of accumulated pensions financing the accumulated part of the labour pension from one non-state pension fund to another non-state pension fund or from the fund to the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation, procedure of determination of their cost, as well as the procedure of notification of the insured of the available reasons of transfer of accumulated pensions.

When handing over the accumulated pensions, the fund shall be obliged to hand out (send by mail) to the insured an excerpt of the condition of his pension account certified with the signature of the official in charge and the seal indicating the amount to be transferred, as well as to take measures to secure the accumulated pensions due for transfer.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. VG-3-22/77@ of January 8, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Form of the Application of the Registration of the Object (Objects) of Taxation for the Gambling Tax

Endorses Form 29-1 "Application for the Registration of the Object (Objects) of Taxation for the Gambling Tax". The taxpayer must register in the tax body at the place of his registration as a taxpayer each object of taxation no later than two working days in advance of the date of installation of each object of taxation.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 6, 2004. Reg. No. 5533.

Order of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation No. 40 of January 22, 2004 on the Endorsement of the List of Free Services Provided by the State Plant Quarantine Service of the Russian Federation

The list includes 18 services provided by the State Plant Quarantine Service of the Russian Federation free of charge. In particular, the mentioned Service shall define free of charge the quarantine phytosanitary condition of the products subject to quarantine measures in the luggage and belongings of passengers, in postal dispatches and shall draw up phytosanitary documentation. Besides, it shall provide free advice on the issues of revealing of quarantine objects and measures to combat them, the rules and norms of ensuring plant quarantine at import, export, production, transportation, use, storage, sale of the products subject to quarantine measures.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 6, 2004. Reg. No. 5530.

Instruction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 110-I of January 16, 2004 on the Obligatory Normatives for the Banks

Changes significantly the requirements to obligatory normatives for the banks specified in the Instruction of the Bank of Russia No. 1 of October 1, 1997 on the procedure of regulation of activities of banks.

The new Instruction does not contain now seven obligatory normatives: obligatory normatives of the maximum risk per one creditor (depositor) (Normative N8), maximum credit risk per one stock holder (participant) (Normative N9), maximum risk per one insider (Normative N10), maximum amount of attracted monetary deposits of the population (Normative N11), maximum bank obligations to non-resident banks and non-resident financial organisations (Normative N11.1), use of the bank own resources (capital) to purchase stocks (shares) of a single legal entity (Normative N12.1), risk of own bill liabilities (Normative N13) and liquidity of operations with precious metals (Normative N14).

The Instruction reduces the values of obligatory normatives: momentary liquidity (N2) from 20% to 15% and the current liquidity (N3) - from 70% to 50%.

Changes the method of estimation of the normative of sufficiency of own resources (N1). Credit requirements to the banks of the "group of developing countries" are classified according to risk groups depending on the time of placing of the monetary resources (risk group III for up to 90 calendar days, risk group IV for over 90 calendar days). Risk group IV includes credits and deposits (including those in precious metals) and other resources placed in the resident banks of the Russian Federation for up to 30 days. The given risk group has the risk coefficient figure of 50% (earlier, 70%).

The estimate of Normative N6 "Maximum Risk per One Borrower or Group of Interconnected Borrowers" besides credits provided by the bank to the borrower includes also securities of the sales and investment portfolios issued by the borrower (contractor) if they are not excluded from the capital estimate.

The Instruction specifies that estimation of obligatory normatives is carried out by the banks on the daily basis as of the end of the operative day. Territorial institutions of the Bank of Russia may request information on observation of obligatory normatives from the banks within the month. The Instruction introduces the requirement to the banks to inform the territorial institutions (together with the monthly reports) of available facts of violation of obligatory normatives during the month.

The Bank of Russia may apply measure of intervention to the banks in cases of failure to observe the obligatory normatives for the total of six and more operative days within any 30 operative days in succession.

The Instruction is entered into force from April 1, 2004.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 6, 2004. Reg. No. 5529.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1383-U of February 3, 2004 on the Procedure of Handing out and Supplies of Money for Numismatic Purposes by the Bank of Russia

Specifies the procedure of handing out by the Bank of Russia to resident credit organisations and supplies to non-resident credit organisations of money for sale at the numismatic market. The numismatic money is handed out at the sales prices of the Bank of Russia including actual expenses for production, nominal cost of coins of non-precious metals, actual expenses for the making of the souvenir package for the sets of coins, delivery expenses, as well as taxes, fees and other obligatory payments envisaged in the legislation of the Russian Federation.

The Direction is entered into force 10 days after the day of its official publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Operative Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 16-T of February 3, 2004 on the Recommendations on the Content and Organisation of the Web Sites of Credit Organisations in the Internet

In view of the changing of the composition of the published reports of credit organisations and bank/consolidated groups, conveys the new recommendations on the creation and organisation of representations of credit organisations in the Internet.

Thus, a credit organisation is recommended to place on the site information of accounting and financial reports for the two most recent years according to the forms provided in the Direction of the Bank of Russia No. 1270-U of April 14, 2003.

Official Report of the Deposit Insurance Agency of February 6, 2004.

The rate of insurance contributions of the banks in the Obligatory Deposit Insurance Fund is fixed in the amount of 0.15% of the estimate base for the estimated period (calendar quarter of the year).

Decision of the Higher Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation No. 12358/03 of November 19, 2003

The applicant challenged the explanation provided by the Ministry of Taxation of Russia in Item 9 of the Methodology Recommendations on the application of Chapter 26.2 "Simplified System of Taxation" of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-22/706 of December 10, 2002. According to the applicant, the available judicial practice does not permit the municipal unitary enterprises to calculate and pay the taxes according to the simplified system of taxation.

The Higher Arbitration Court came to the conclusion that the challenged norm does not comply with the Tax Code of the Russian Federation, since as compared to the earlier available Federal Law No. 222-FZ of December 29, 1995 on the simplified system of taxation, registration and reporting of small businesses, Chapter 26.2 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation does not contain any mention of the fact that the simplified system of taxation is applied only to small businesses.

The challenged item is recognised as invalid inasmuch as it prevents the switching over of municipal unitary enterprises to the simplified system of taxation proceeding from the meaning attached to it by the tax bodies.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 67 of February 9, 2004 on the Amendments to the Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 379 of June 30, 2003

The amendments are introduced in the Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation specifying additional restrictions on the investing of resources of accumulated pensions in individual classes of assets and defining the maximum share of individual classes of assets in the investment portfolio.

The shares of assets in the investment portfolio built at the expense of resources handed over to the Pension Fund of Russia in trust control by the management company and in the investment portfolio of a non-state pension fund engaged in obligatory pension insurance are defined in percent of their cost (in roubles) proceeding from the amount of resources on accounts and deposits in credit organisations and the market cost of securities forming the appropriate investment portfolio.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 64 of February 9, 2004 on the Amendments to the Decisions of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 92 of February 8, 2002 and No. 93 of February 8, 2002

The changes are introduced in the Decisions of the Government of the Russian Federation specifying the norms of expenses of organisations for compensations for the use of personal cars and motorcycles for business trips, as well as for the daily and field allowances where such expenses are qualified as other expenses pertaining to production and sales in the determination of the taxable base for the profit tax from organisations.

The Decision specifies that if the system of taxation for agricultural producers is applied (uniform agricultural tax), the mentioned norms shall be used from January 1, 2004 to determine expenses for the paying out of compensation for the use of personal cars and motorcycles for business trips, as well as for the daily and field allowances.

The Decision is entered into force from the day of its official publication and applies to legal relations emerging from January 1, 2004.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 60 of February 6, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Forms of the Typical Contract on Obligatory Pension Insurance between a Non-State Pension Fund and the Insured, Forms of Applications of the Insured to Transfer to a Non-State Pension Fund and Transfer to the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation

The typical form of the contract defines the subject of the contract, the rights and duties of the fund, the insured, procedure of registration of the resources of accumulated pensions and investing of the given resources by the management company. Regulates in detail the procedure of assigning and paying out of the accumulated part of the labour pension to the insured and making payments to his successors. The contract is concluded for an indefinite period of time.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1375-U of January 16, 2004 on the Rules of Drawing up and Submission of Reports of Credit Organisations to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation

Specifies the obligatory for the credit organisations (their branches), parent credit organisations of the bank/consolidated groups general rules of drawing up and submission of accounting and statistical reports to the Bank of Russia.

Credit organisations must draw up and submit to the Bank of Russia reports according to the "List of Forms of Reports and Other Information of Credit Organisations Submitted to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation" specified in the Direction of the Bank of Russia No. 1376-U of January 16, 2004.

The forms of reports must contain all envisaged for them indicators. If the data for one or more figures is not available, the zero is entered in the appropriate column (line) for digital indicators and a dash for the symbols. If the form of the report contains only zeros, credit organisations shall send to the Bank of Russia a report of absence of appropriate data, or report with zero indicators. The forms of reports must be filled out according to the form attached to the Direction. The blank forms of reports are provided in the credit organisations independently.

The Direction is entered into force 10 days after the day of its official publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 10, 2004. Reg. No. 5534.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-23/1 of January 5, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Form of the Tax Declaration for the Profit Tax from a Foreign Organisation and on Amendments to Its Filling Instruction

Endorses the new form of the tax declaration for the profit tax from a foreign organisation (KND 1151038).

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on January 29, 2004. Reg. No. 5495.

Letter of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation No. 02-18/07-565 of January 28, 2004 on the Filling of the Reverse Side of the Disability Sheet

Pursuant to the introduction from January 1, 2004 of the new procedure of calculation of the temporary disability allowance and the maternity allowance, explains the procedure of filling of the reverse side of the disability sheet. Thus, section "Information on the Earnings" and column "Months" should indicate the estimated period of the earnings taken into account (12 calendar months preceding the month of the occurred disability, maternity leave, or less than three months for the appropriate employees getting the allowance in the amount not greater than the minimum amount of labour remuneration for the full calendar month).

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 74 of February 12, 2004 on the Fixing of the Cost of Living in Per Capita Figures and for the Main Sociodemographic Groups of Population for the Whole of the Russian Federation for the IV Quarter of 2003

Fixes the cost of living for the whole of the Russian Federation for the IV quarter of 2003 in the amount of Rbl 2,143 per capita, Rbl 2,341 for able-bodied population, Rbl 1,625 for pensioners, Rbl 2,113 for children

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 72 of February 10, 2004 on the Amendments to the List of Commodities Subject to Obligatory Certification, the List of Products with Compliance Certified with the Declaration of Compliance and on Invalidation of the List of Works and Services Subject to Obligatory Certification

Significant changes are introduced in the list of commodities subject to obligatory certification endorsed by the Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1013 of August 13, 1997. From October 1, 2004, medicines are exempted from the obligatory certification and the medicines (codes 931000-937000 OKP) registered according to established procedure and consisting of mixed and unmixed products for use in therapy packed as dosed medicines or in retail trade package must have the declaration of compliance. According to the introduced changes, perfumery is exempted from obligatory certification.

The Decision specifies that the products excluded from Sections "Rubber Technical and Asbestos Products" and "Optical Instruments and Equipment" are exempted from obligatory compliance confirmation. Invalidates the list of works and services subject to obligatory certification.

The list of commodities requiring declaration of compliance now does not include compressed natural power gas for internal combustion engines. The mentioned list includes fuses, plugs, sockets, equipment for trade enterprises, beer, malt drinks, mineralised waters, as well as some types of printed items.

Order of the Ministry of Public Health of the Russian Federation No. 31 of January 30, 2004 on the Partial Invalidation of Item 2.5 of the Industry Sector Standard "Rules of Release (Sale) of Medicines in Apothecary Organisations. Main Provisions" Endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Public Health of Russia No. 80 of March 4, 2003

The mentioned item is partially invalidated pursuant to the adoption of the Decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation No. GKPI 03-607 of September 11, 2003, thus lifting the earlier available restrictions for the apothecary kiosks and shops to sale items of medical destination, disinfectants, items of personal hygiene, optical items, natural and artificial mineral waters, medicinal, child and dietetic foodstuffs, cosmetics and perfumery.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 11, 2004. Reg. No. 5541.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-21/726 of December 29, 2003 on the Endorsement of the Form of the Tax Declaration for the Payment for the Use of Water Objects and Its Filling Instruction

Endorses the new form of the tax declaration for the payment for the use of water objects (Form KND 1151032) and its filling Instruction.

The Order is entered into force beginning with the tax period for January (I quarter) 2004.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 11, 2004. Reg. No. 5539.

Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 14n of January 28, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Procedure of Providing of Information by Insurers of Conclusion, Prolongation and Termination of the Contract of Obligatory Insurance of the Liability of a Specialised Depositary and the Management Companies

Insurers shall send the mentioned information to the Ministry of Finance of Russia within three working days from the date conclusion, prolongation and termination of the appropriate contract. Information is submitted on paper medium according to the attached form together with the cover letter drawn up in free form.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 11, 2004. Reg. No. 5538.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 73 of February 12, 2004 on the Amendments to the Decisions of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 318 of March 15, 1997, No. 346 of June 19, 2003 and No. 395 of June 30,

Application of the insured to choose the investment portfolio (management company) submitted before December 31, 2003 must be considered in the Pension Fund of Russia before March 1, 2004. In case of refusal to satisfy the application of the insured to choose the investment portfolio (management company), or the application remains unconsidered, the Pension Fund of Russia shall notify of it the insured no later than March 31, 2004.

The Pension Fund of Russia shall provide for the transfer before March 31, 2004 of accumulated pensions to the selected by the insured management companies and the state management company according to the procedure specified in the contracts of trust control of the resources of accumulated pensions. The transfer applies to the amounts of insurance contributions financing the accumulated part of the labour pension received in the Pension Fund of Russia during the year 2002 and the net financial result obtained from their temporary placement.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 71 of February 10, 2004 on the Creation, Reorganisation and Liquidation of the Federal State Enterprises

Decisions on the creation, reorganisation and liquidation of the federal state institutions are taken by the Government of the Russian Federation on the basis of draft acts prepared by the federal bodies of executive power in coordination with the Ministry of Property Relations of Russia, Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, Ministry of Labour of Russia and the Ministry of Finance of Russia. The draft decision must contain the subject and goals of activities of the institution, as well as the limiting employee payroll and the amount of allocations to maintain the created (reorganised) institution within the limits of resources envisaged for these purposes in the federal budget. The charter of the federal state institution is endorsed by the federal body of executive power in charge of the coordination and regulation of activities in the appropriate sphere (sphere of management) in coordination with the Ministry of Property Relations of Russia and the Ministry of Finance of Russia.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1378-U of January 16, 2004 on the Adjustment of the Acts of the Bank of Russia

Pursuant to the adoption of the Instruction of the Bank of Russia No. 110-I of January 16, 2004 on the obligatory normatives for the banks entering into force from April 1, 2004 invalidates the Instruction of the Bank of Russia No. 1 of October 1, 1997 on the procedure of regulation of activities of the banks with amendments, as well as individual operative directions on the application of this Instruction.

The Direction is entered into force from April 1, 2004.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 83 of February 14, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Rules of Providing Budget Loans from the Federal Budget to the Subjects of the Russian Federation to Cover Temporary Cash Deficits

The temporary cash deficit emerging in the execution of the consolidated budget of the subject of the Russian Federation is defined as under-received in a certain period of the fiscal year incomes to implement the expenses envisaged in the budget of the subject of the Russian Federation taking into account the sources of financing of the budget deficit. If such deficit is available or forecasted, the body of executive power of the subject of the Russian Federation may apply to the Ministry of Finance of Russian Federation to get the budget loan. Budget loans are provided for not more than 6 months within the fiscal year. The budget loan is not provided to the subject of the Russian Federation with an overdue debt in the earlier obtained budget loans.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 82 of February 14, 2004 on the Procedure and Terms of Financing in 2004 of Preventive Measures Aimed at Reduction of Industrial Injuries and Occupational Diseases of Employees

Defines the procedure and terms of partial financing in 2004 of preventive measures aimed at reduction of industrial injuries and occupational diseases of insurant employees including the financing of periodic medical examinations and preventive treatment, in particular, sanatoria and resort treatment of employees engaged in works with adverse and hazardous factors. The list of preventive measures is endorsed by the Ministry of Labour of Russia in coordination with the Social Insurance Fund of Russia and serves as grounds for the working out of the plan of insurant preventive measures.
The amount of resources allocated by the insurant for the partial financing of preventive measures may not be greater than 20% of the amounts of insurance contributions transferred by this insurant to the Social Insurance Fund of Russia during the year 2003. Decision on the partial financing or refusal of it is taken by the Social Insurance Fund of Russia within 15 days from the day of submission of the application by the insurant. Applications are accepted before July 1, 2004.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 80 of February 14, 2004 on the Measures to Implement the Federal Law on the Federal Budget for the Year 2004

To implement the Federal Law on the federal budget for the year 2004, distributes the duties and issues orders to the federal bodies of executive power. Execution of the federal budget is implemented according to the summary budget list of the federal budget for the year 2004. Any amendments to the budget list inspiring creditor indebtedness reducing expenses is not permitted.
The recipient of the resources of the federal budget, when concluding contracts for supplies of commodities, works, services to be covered at the expense of the resources of the federal budget, may envisage advance payments. The contracts for communication services, subscription for printed matter, study at professional development courses, purchase of air and railway tickets, tickets for the urban and suburban transportation, as well as accommodations for sanatoria and resort treatment, may envisage advance payments in the amount of 100% or 30% for other contracts.
For the year 2004, there is a limit for provided tax credits, respites, extension schedules for the payment of federal taxes and fees fixed in the amount not greater than Rbl 750 million. The Decision lists the acts of the Government of the Russian Federation prolonged for the year 2004 pursuant to the adoption of the Law on the federal budget for the year 2004. In particular, prolongs the rules of paying out in 2003 to individual categories of citizens of preliminary compensation (compensation) for the deposits in the Savings Bank of the Russian Federation and some insurance organisations being guaranteed savings.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 77 of February 13, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Typical Insurance Rules of a Non-State Pension Fund Engaged in Activities in Obligatory Pension Insurance

The rules define the procedure and terms of execution by a non-state pension fund of obligations under the contracts of obligatory pension insurance concluded by this fund and the insured in favour of this person or his heirs. The execution of the duties by the find implies the assigning and paying out to the insured of the accumulated part of the labour pension, paying out of accumulated pension to the heirs of the insured, handing over of accumulated pensions to another insurer. The Decision specifies that the fund secures its liabilities with all the property owned by it.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1377-U of January 16, 2004 on the Invalidation of Individual Normative Acts of the Bank of Russia

Pursuant to the adoption of the Directions of the Bank of Russia No. 1375-U and No. 1376-U of January 16, 2004 specifying the rules of drawing up and submission of reports by credit organisations to the Bank of Russia, as well as the list, forms and procedure of submission of these reports, invalidates individual normative acts of the Bank of Russia. In particular, invalidates the Direction of the Bank of Russia No. 7-U of October 24, 1997 on the procedure of drawing up and submission of reports by credit organisations to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.
The Direction is entered into force from April 1, 2004 and must be published officially in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 84 of February 16, 2004 on the Amendments to the Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 914 of December 2, 2000

Amends the rules of keeping of logbooks of received and drawn up invoices, purchase ledger and sales ledger in the estimates of the value added tax. The mentioned rules are being brought in compliance with the Federal Law No. 117-FZ of July 7, 2003 having entered into force from January 1, 2004. The new wording is provided for the forms of the purchase ledger and the sales ledger. The mentioned forms include the column envisaging the 18% tax rate and preserve the column for the calculation of the 20% VAT rate.

The changes were also made to the form of the invoice. Thus, the "Seal", "Issued by" and the "Signature of the Seller Representative in Charge" are omitted.

The Decision specifies that invoices issued when selling commodities (carrying out works, rendering services) by organisations and independent entrepreneurs for cash must be registered in the sales ledger. In this case, the readings of control tapes of cash registers are registered in the sales ledger without the amounts of appropriate invoices.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 51 of February 6, 2004 on the Amendments to and Invalidation of Some of the Decisions of the Government of the Russian Federation Pertaining to Improvement of State Management in the Russian Federation

The amendments are introduced pursuant to the abolishment from July 1, 2003 of the Federal Border Guard Service of the Russian Federation, Federal Agency of Governmental Communication and Information of the President of the Russian Federation and the Federal Service of the Tax Police. The functions of the Federal Border Guard Service are handed over to the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation incorporating the Border Guard Service. The functions of the Federal Agency of Governmental Communication and Information of the Russian Federation are handed over to the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation and the Service of Special Communication and Information. The functions of the Federal Service of the Tax Police are handed over to the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances and the Federal Service for Economic and Tax Crimes of the Ministry of Internal Affairs o f the Russian Federation.

Order of the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances No. 306 of December 31, 2003 on the Endorsement of the Typical Internal Rules of the Bodies in Charge of Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances

The divisions, territorial bodies and organisations of the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances shall have a strictly regulated daily routine stipulated by the particulars of service activities and operative situation, time of the year, local conditions and other specific circumstances. The typical rules shall define for the personnel, federal state servants and employees of the bodies of the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances the length of the working week, length, beginning, end and procedure of registration of the service (working) time, time of breaks for rest and meals, on-duty (shift) schedules in cases of shift work, procedure of work in excess of the specified service (working) time, as well as on week-ends and holidays.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5550.

Order of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation No. 23 of January 14, 2004 on the Organisation of Reception, Registration, Record Keeping and Consideration in the Bodies of the Federal Security Service of Reports of Crimes and Other Criminal Information

Information of crimes may be received in the security bodies in the form of applications, surrender, reports of committed or anticipated crimes, other sources. The body of investigation, investigator must accept and verify the report of any committed or anticipated crime and take the decision on it within the scope of authority specified in the Code of Criminal Procedures of the Russian Federation no later than within 3 days from the day of receiving of the mentioned report. The applicant gets the document of reception of the report of the crime with information on the person having accepted it, as well as the date and time of reception.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5548.

Decision of the Federal Commission for Securities Market No. 03-51/ps of December 24, 2003 on the Amendments to the Regulation on the Particulars of Issue of Bonds and Disclosing of Information by International Financial Organisations on the Territory of the Russian Federation Endorsed by the Decision of the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia No. 03-24/ps of April 24, 2003

Specifies that the bond prospectus must indicate the time specified in the decision of issue (additional issue) of the bonds when the delay of execution of obligations by the issuer is considered to be a significant violation of the terms of the concluded loan contract. The quarterly report is submitted by the issuer to the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia no later than within 90 days from the end of the reported quarter.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5547.

Decision of the State Standards Committee of the Russian Federation No. 4 of January 30, 2004 on the National Standards of the Russian Federation

From July 1, 2003, adopted earlier by the State Standards Committee of Russia state and interstate standards are recognised as national standards. Before the entry into force of the appropriate technical regulations, the requirements to the products, production processes, operation, storage, transportation, sale and utilisation specified in the mentioned national standards must be executed on the obligatory basis only when pertaining to the protection of the life and health of citizens, property of natural persons or legal entities, state or municipal property, protection of the environment, life and health of animals and plants, prevention of actions misleading the buyers.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5546.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 89 of February 17, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Fundamentals of Price Forming in the Sphere of Housing and Communal Services

Defines the main principles and methods of price forming for the services in the maintenance and repair of dwelling space, dwelling space leasing and tariff rates for communal services, as well as the rules of regulation and application of these prices and tariff rates.

Regulation applies to the prices for the dwelling space (including the prices for the services in the maintenance, repair of the housing space and leasing) and the tariff rates for communal services (including tariff rates for the services in water supplies, water disposal, central heating, hot water supplies, electric power supplies, supplies of solid fuels, services in network and liquefied gas supplies, gas supplies in flasks).

To fix the prices and tariff rates, the method of economic substantiation is used. In addition, there is a method of indexing that changes the prices and tariff rates fixed using the method of substantiation with deflator indexes fixed by the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia.

It is not permitted to apply within one estimated period of regulation different methods of fixing of prices and tariff rates for organisations engaged in the same regulated types of activities.

Control over application of prices and tariff rates, including the substantiation of their amount, is vested in the bodies in charge of the regulation.

Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 13n of January 28, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Procedure of Disclosing of Information on the Structure and Composition of Stock-Holders (Participants) of a Specialised Depositary and Management Companies

Specialised depositary and management companies must submit on the annual basis no later than July 1 of the year following the reported one information according to the attached form on the structure and composition of stock-holders (participants) with the share in the registered capital of the specialised depositary or management company being at least 1 percent. The Ministry of Finance of Russia shall provide for the disclosing of provided information on the Internet site of the Ministry of Finance of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 17, 2004. Reg. No. 5561.

Instruction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 109-I of January 14, 2004 on the Procedure of Adoption by the Bank of Russia of the Decision on the State Registration of Credit Organisations and Issue of Licenses for Bank Operations

Specifies the particulars of the procedure of adoption by the Bank of Russia of the decision on the state registration of credit organisations and issue of licenses for bank operations.

The credit organisation may be created on the basis of any property form as an economic company (joint-stock company, limited-liability or additional-responsibility company). The founders of the credit organisation must pay 100% of the declared registered capital of the credit organisation specified in the charter of the credit organisation within one month from the day of receiving of the notification of the state registration. For the opening of the branch, the credit organisation pays the fee of 100 minimum amounts of labour remuneration as of the moment of issue of the notification of the Bank of Russia of the opening of the branch of the credit organisation.

The Instruction applies to legal relations in the sphere of state registration of credit organisations and issue of licenses for bank operations if by the day of its entry into force, the Bank of Russia did not take decisions envisaged in the Instruction as a result of consideration of the documents submitted by credit organisations and/or other entities.

The Instruction is entered into force 10 days after the moment of its publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5551.

Decision of the Ministry of Labour of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 1/1n of January 12, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Procedure of Calculation and Confirmation of the Length of State Service Permitting to Get the Length-of-Service Pension of the Federal State Servants and Determination of the Compliance of Positions with the Periods of Service (Work) in Them Included in the Length of State Service

The endorsed procedure regulates the issues of calculation of the length of state service permitting to get the length-of-service pension of the federal state servants, confirmation of this length of service, determination of compliance of positions, inclusion in the length of state service permitting to assign the length-of-service pension.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5549.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 90 of February 18, 2004 on the Endorsement of the List of Commodities Produced Using the Property of Organisations Not Exempted from the Property Tax from Organisations and/or Sold by Such Organisations

The mentioned list includes automobile tyres, hunting rifles, yachts, motor boats (other than special-purpose ones), products of the ferrous and non-ferrous metal industry (other than second-hand raw materials and metal items), precious stones and precious metals, fur items (other than those for children), high-quality items of crystal and porcelain, caviar, finished delicacies of valuable fishes and sea products.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1382-U of February 2, 2004 on the Amendments to the Regulation of the Bank of Russia No. 205-P of December 5, 2002 on the Rules of Accounting Work in Credit Organisations Located on the Territory of the Russian Federation

The Chart of Accounts in credit organisations is extended to include new passive Balance Accounts 30126, 30226, 30410, 30607, 60405 "Reserves for Possible Losses". Balance Accounts 50212 and 50506 "Reserves for Devaluated Securities" are excluded.

The Direction changes the names of the Balance Accounts 20321, 47425, 47702, 50709, 50809, 60105, 60206, 60324. In the new wording, their name is "Reserves for Possible Losses". The mentioned accounts are intended to register the flow (forming (accrual), recovery (reduction)) of reserves for possible losses. Analytical records are arranged on the personal accounts opened for each contractor of a credit organisation under the deal in the framework of concluded contracts. The records are maintained in the currency of the Russian Federation.

Appropriate changes are introduced in the description of the mentioned accounts, scheme of analytical records of incomes and expenses and the report of profits and losses. The changes are also introduced in the balance report of the credit organisation and the procedure of accounting work for investments in securities and operations with securities.

The Direction is entered into force 10 days after the day of its official publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 19, 2004. Reg. No. 5571.

Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation No. 63 of February 4, 2004 on the Amendment to the Interim Procedure of Exchange of the Passport of the Citizen of the USSR for the Passport of the Citizen of the Russian Federation for the Citizen Registered at the Place of Residence in One of the Subjects of the Russian Federation and Actually Living or Registered at the Place of Residence in Another Subject of the Russian Federation Endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia No. 347 of May 24, 2003

The changes are introduced in view of the prolongation of the time of replacement of the passports of the citizens of the USSR for the passports of the citizens of the Russian Federation till July 1, 2004.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 19, 2004. Reg. No. 5566.

Order of the State Customs Committee of the Russian Federation No. 160 of February 6, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Procedure of Certification of the Specialists of the Customs Registration

Defines the qualification requirements to the specialist of the customs registration and specifies the procedure of passing of the qualification examination to get the qualification certificate of the specialist of the customs registration. Lists the documents submitted together with the application for the certification.

The qualification examination is arranged by the regional customs departments simultaneously on the whole territory of the Russian Federation at least two times in a calendar year.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 19, 2004. Reg. No. 5565.

Order of the Ministry for Antimonopoly Policy of the Russian Federation No. 33 of January 30, 2004 on the Amendments to the Regulation on the Procedure of Approval of the Deals Pertaining to the Purchase of Assets or Stocks (Shares in the Registered Capital) of Financial Organisations, As Well As the Rights Permitting to Define the Terms of Entrepreneurial Activities or Implement the Functions of the Executive Body of a Financial Organisation Endorsed by the Order of the Ministry for Antimonopoly Policy of Russia No. 210 of February 28, 2001

Specifies that the request for the purchase by legal entities and/or natural persons of more than 20% of the stocks (shares in the registered capital) in cases of changing of the registered capital of a financial organisation is submitted to the antimonopoly bodies by the person (persons) buying the stocks (shares in the registered capital).

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 17, 2004. Reg. No. 5560.

Decision of the Federal Commission for Securities Market No. 03-48/ps of December 24, 2003 on the Procedure of Qualification of Securities

The endorsed procedure regulates the relations emerging when the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia qualifies the securities. For the purposes of qualification, the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia may check the legal entities whose activities at the securities market are regulated by the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia, as well as demand submission of the documents necessary for the solving of the qualification issues. No later than within 3 days from the date of adoption of the decision of qualification of securities, the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia shall send the notification of the adopted decision and, if necessary, also an order (including the one on elimination of violations of the legislation of the Russian Federation on securities) obligatory for execution.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 17, 2004. Reg. No. 5555.

Order of the State Customs Committee of the Russian Federation No. 91 of January 26, 2004 on the Amendments to the Order of the State Customs Committee of Russia No. 768 of August 28, 2000

Amends the Order of the State Customs Committee of Russia specifying the particulars of declaring of currencies and securities moved by natural persons.

The currencies and securities are declared in the customs body of the Russian Federation in writing by submitting the cargo customs decoration or in the electronic form. While filling out the cargo customs declaration, Column 53 "Customs Office and the Country of Destination" is not filled out.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 17, 2004. Reg. No. 5554.

Federal Law No. 3-FZ of February 19, 2004 on the Ratification of the Treaty on the Fundamentals of Relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Nicaragua

Ratifies the Treaty signed in New York on September 18, 2002. The contracting parties develop mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation. The parties shall assist business contacts and links, assist direct links between enterprises, companies and other economic subjects and organisations of both countries, as well as provide, in framework of their national legislations, bilateral agreements and on the basis of the principle of reciprocity, for the maximum beneficial conditions of such entrepreneurial and other economic activities. The parties shall implement bilateral cooperation in the interests of a stable development and solution of socio-economic tasks of their states including attraction of investments, improvement of use of natural resources and economic potential.

Federal Law No. 2-FZ of February 19, 2004 on the Ratification of the Treaty on Friendly Relations and Cooperation between the Russian Federation and Romania

Ratifies the Treaty signed in Moscow on July 4, 2003. The Treaty envisages expansion of economic cooperation, creation of favourable conditions for development of up-to-date forms of trade exchange, economic and scientific and technical cooperation. The parties shall assist establishing direct links and cooperation between the subjects of entrepreneurial (economic) activities, as well as promote development of cooperation in the sphere of capital investments.

      Besides, the parties shall encourage expansion of contacts between the citizens of both states, including mutual trips of citizens for business, economic, cultural and scientific purposes, as well as for private matters.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 96 of February 20, 2004 on the Summary Register of Organisations of the Defence Industry Complex

The Summary Register of Organisations of the Defence Industry Complex is a federal information system containing information on organisations included in the Register, on their property and financial standing and on the economic efficiency of activities. The Register includes organisations possessing as property, in economic management or operative control isolated property, including equipment and production space, as well as possessing qualified personnel for development, production, repair and utilisation of armaments, military and special equipment. Information contained in the Register is of restricted-access nature. Creation and keeping of the Register is vested in the Ministry of Industry and Science of Russia.

Decision of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation of February 25, 2004 on the Case of Constitutionality of Item 10 of Article 75 of the Federal Law on the Main Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right to Participate in the Referendum of the Citizens of the Russian Federation and Part 1 of Article 259 of the Code of Civil Procedures of the Russian Federation Pursuant to the Request of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation

The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation recognised as not complying with the Constitution of the Russian Federation the provision of Item 10 of Article 75 of the Federal Law on the main guarantees of electoral rights and the right to participate in the referendum of the citizens of the Russian Federation and Part 1 of Article 259 of the Code of Civil Procedures of the Russian Federation stating that if the violations mentioned in the appeal or application on the decisions and actions (failure to act) violating electoral rights of citizens and the right of citizens to participate in the referendum affect a significant number of citizens, or the violation acquired a special public significance because of other circumstances, the Central Electoral Commission of the Russian Federation may apply to the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation that has to consider the appeal.

The Decision is entered into force immediately after annunciation.

Decision of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation of February 24, 2004 on the Case of Constitutionality of Individual Provisions of Articles 74 and 77 of the Federal Law on Joint-Stock Companies (in the Wording of December 26, 1995) Regulating the Procedure of Consolidation of Placed Stocks of the Joint-Stock Company and Redemption of Fractional Stocks Pursuant to the Appeals of Citizens, a Legal Entity and Request of the Oktyabrsky Regional Court of the City of Penza

The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation recognised as not contradicting the Constitution of the Russian Federation interconnected provisions of Paragraph 2 of Item 1 of Article 74 and Article 77 of the Federal Law on joint-stock companies (in the wording of May 24, 1999) stating that in case of forming of fractional stocks during consolidation, the latter must be redeemed by the company at the market value. The given provisions imply taking into account the rights and legal interests of the holders of fractional stocks by applying appropriate legal procedures and an efficient judicial control over the decisions taken by the Board of Directors (Supervising Board) and the general meeting of stock-holders. The revealed constitutional and legal meaning is obligatory to all and excludes any other their interpretation in the judicial practice.

Decisions on the cases of stock-holder citizens based on the mentioned provisions in the interpretation other than their constitutional and legal meaning revealed by the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation must be revised according to established procedure.

The Decision is entered into force immediately after annunciation.

Federal Law No. 4-FZ of February 22, 2004 on the Amendment to Article 25 of the Federal Law on the Military Duty and the Military Service

Sets forth that the citizens living in individual regions of the Far North or individual localities of the similar status are called up for the military service from May 1 through June 30 or from November 1 through December 31. The list of the mentioned regions and localities, as well as the draft time for the citizens living in these regions and localities, are defined by the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

Earlier, the draft in the given category applied to the citizens living only in individual regions of the Far North according to the list defined by the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation only from May 1 through June 30. Other citizens are called up for the military service according to the commonly accepted procedure.

The Federal Law is entered into force from the day of its official publication.

Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 264 of February 24, 2004 on the Government of the Russian Federation

From February 24, 2004, sends the Government of the Russian Federation into retirement. The Government continues to execute their functions before the forming of the new composition of the main executive body of power of the country. The duties of the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation are vested temporarily in the Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation V.B.Khristenko.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 99 of February 21, 2004 on the Organisation of the Transfer of the Forestry Lands into Non-Forestry Ones for Their Use for the Purposes Other Than the Forestry Industry, Use of the Forestry Fund, As Well As the Transfer of the Lands of the Forestry Fund into Other Land Categories

As an exception, permits the bodies of state power to transfer the forestry lands into non-forestry ones and to transfer the lands of the forestry fund into other land categories according to the available in the present time procedure of transfer of the forestry lands into non-forestry ones for their use for the purposes other than the forestry industry, use of the forestry fund, and/or withdrawal of the lands of the forestry fund in the presence of the positive statement of the state ecological expertise while observing the requirements of the forestry and land legislation of the Russian Federation.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 98 of February 21, 2004 on the Amendments to the Customs Tariff of the Russian Federation Pertaining to the Import of Individual Types of Technological Equipment to the Customs Territory of the Russian Federation

For 9 months introduces the rates of the import customs duties for certain types of equipment for drink and commodity packing, as well as for certain types of self-propelled mechanisms and machine-tools using electric discharge processes.

The Decision is entered into force one month after the day of its official publication.

Order of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Public Health of the Russian Federation No. 18/29 of January 29, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Instruction on the Procedure of Providing Blank Disability Sheets, Their Registration and Storage

Defines the procedure of providing blank disability sheets for the medical organisations licensed to carry out works and render appropriate medical aid services, including the temporary disability expertise, as well as their registration and storage. Provides the forms necessary for the mentioned document turnover.

The making of the blank disability sheets is vested in the Social Insurance Fund of Russia. All medical organisations must submit to the pubic health management bodies on the quarterly basis before the 5th of the month following the reported quarter the request reports to obtain blank disability sheets regardless of the demand for these blank forms.

The blank disability sheets are strict-reporting documents and must be stored in special rooms, safes or in specially made iron-coated cabinets with safe internal or hanging locks. The rooms, safes, cabinets used to store the blank forms must be locked and sealed. The blank forms must be registered in accounting records on a systematic basis on off-balance accounts.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 19, 2004. Reg. No. 5573.

Decision of the Higher Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation No. 14770/03 of January 22, 2004

The applicant challenged the provisions of the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-22/135 of March 26, 2003 amending the logbook of incomes and expenses of organisations and independent entrepreneurs using the simplified system of taxation and the procedure of recording of economic operations in it. According to the amendments, the taxpayers using the simplified system of taxation must record in the logbook of incomes and expenses not only the figures of their activities necessary for the calculation of the taxable base and the amount of the uniform tax, but also keep records of incomes and expenses other than those affecting the mentioned calculation.

The Higher Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation recognised the mentioned Order of the Ministry of Taxation as not complying with the Tax Code of the Russian Federation and invalid inasmuch as it pertains to independent entrepreneurs.

Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 230 of February 20, 2004 on the Amendments to the List of Equipment, Materials and Technologies That May Be Used to Create Missile Weapons Subject to Export Control

Amends the sections pertaining to flight control systems, engine and equipment elements, design materials, fuel and chemicals, as well as other equipment, materials and instruments.

The Decree is entered into force three months after the day of its official publication.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1387-U of February 17, 2004 on the Adjustment of the Normative Acts of the Bank of Russia

Pursuant to the entry into force of the Regulation on the disclosing of information by issuers of emission securities endorsed by the Decision of the Federal Commission for Securities Market of the Russian Federation No. 03-32/ps of July 2, 2003, invalidates the Regulation of the Bank of Russia No. 43-P of July 2, 1998 on the disclosing of information by the Bank of Russia and credit organisations being participants of financial markets.

The Direction is entered into force 10 days after the day of its publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-09/97@ of February 11, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Methodology Recommendations for the Tax Bodies on the Uniform Procedure of Removal from Records and Registration in the Tax Bodies of the Biggest Russian Taxpayer Organisations Because of the Change of the Place of Location

Defines the procedure of removal from records and registration in the tax bodies of the biggest Russian taxpayer organisations in view of the change of their place of location.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-09/96@ of February 11, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Methodology Recommendations for the Tax Bodies on the Uniform Procedure of Removal from Records and Registration in the Tax Bodies of the Biggest Russian Taxpayer Organisations Because of the Reorganisation and the Methodology Recommendations for the Tax Bodies on the Uniform Procedure of Removal from Records in the Tax Bodies of the Biggest Russian Taxpayer Organisations Because of the Liquidation

Defines the procedure of removal from records and registration in the tax bodies of the biggest Russian taxpayer organisations in view of the reorganisation and the procedure of removal from records in view of the liquidation.

Letter of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation No. 02-18/07-829 of February 9, 2004 on the Amount of the Maternity Allowance

From January 1, 2004, the maternity allowance is paid out as earlier in the amount of the average earnings regardless of the duration of the uninterrupted length of work. The amount of the allowance may not be greater than the maximum amount of the maternity allowance (Rbl 11,700).

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-03/89 of February 9, 2004 on the Amendments to the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-03/25 of January 21, 2002 on the Endorsement of the Instruction on the Filling of Declaration for the Value Added Tax

The Instruction for the filling of the VAT declaration is being brought in compliance with the recent changes in the legislation. The Instruction is intended for the filling of the forms of VAT declarations endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-03/644 of November 20, 2003.

The Order is entered into force beginning with the tax period for January 2004 (I quarter).

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 26, 2004. Reg. No. 5589.

Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 9n of January 22, 2004 on the Amendments to the Instruction on the Procedure of Opening and Keeping by the Federal Treasury Bodies of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation of the Personal Accounts for Registration of Operations in Execution of Expenses of the Federal Budget Endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 142n of December 31, 2002

Amends the procedure of opening, keeping, redrawing and closing of the personal accounts. In particular, specifies that at the opening of the personal account of the recipient of the resources for the Chief Administrator of Resources, the card of the specimens of signatures is singed by the head and the chief accountant (other authorised persons) of the Chief Administrator of Resources and certified with the round seal of the Chief Administrator of Resources. Another certifying signature is not required.

Also changes the procedure of recording of operations on the personal accounts. The federal treasury bodies, on the monthly basis no later than the third of the month following the reported one, shall verify operations of the flow of limits of the budget resources, the volumes of financing and cash expenses recorded on the personal accounts of recipients of resources and personal accounts of another recipient of resources.

A new wording is provided of the forms of applications for the opening, redrawing and closing of the personal account, the cards of the specimens of signatures, permission to open an account in the division of the Bank of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 25, 2004. Reg. No. 5582.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-22/154@ of February 26, 2004 on the Invalidation of the Orders of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-22/706 of December 10, 2002, No. BG-3-22/191 of April 17, 2003, No. BG-3-22/573 of October 28, 2003

Invalidates the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-22/706 of December 10, 2002 on the endorsement of the methodology recommendations on the application of Chapter 26.2 "Simplified System of Taxation" of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation with amendments.

Procedure of Calculation of Insurance Contributions (Endorsed by the Decision of the Board of Directors of the State Corporation "Deposit Insurance Agency" of February 3, 2004 (Protocol 3))

The procedure regulates the relations pertaining to the calculation of the estimate base and estimate period for the payment of insurance contributions to the Deposit Obligatory Insurance Fund. The document envisages the particulars of calculation of issuance contributions for an incomplete estimate period, as well as regulates other relations pertaining to the procedure of calculation of insurance contributions.

The estimate base for the calculation of insurance contributions is defined as the average chronological for the estimate period of the daily balance residues on the accounts used to record the deposits, except for the monetary resources exempted from insurance. The estimate period for the payment of insurance contributions is a calendar quarter of the year.

Procedure of Payment of Insurance Contributions (Endorsed by the Decision of the Management Board of the State Corporation "Deposit Insurance Agency" of February 5, 2004 (Protocol 2))

Defines the particulars of transfer of insurance contributions on the agency accounts in the Bank of Russia used to register the monetary resources of the Deposit Obligatory Insurance Fund. The procedure also regulates the relations pertaining to the failure to pay, untimely, incomplete or excessive payment of the amount of insurance contributions and defines the consequences of the failure to fulfil the duty to pay insurance contributions by the bank. The estimate period for the payment of insurance contributions by the bank is a calendar quarter of the year. The first estimate period for the payment of insurance contributions is the period from the day of the bank entry in the register of banks participating in the deposit insurance system to the day of the end of the calendar quarter when the bank was entered in the mentioned register.

The payment of insurance contributions is effected by the bank in the currency of the Russian Federation within 5 days from the day of the end of the estimate period by transferring the monetary resources to the account of the Deposit Insurance Fund.

Letter of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation No. 02-18/07-773 of February 5, 2004 on the Procedure of Calculation of the Temporary Disability, Maternity Allowances

Provides 11 examples of calculation of the temporary disability, maternity allowances for use in practical work as specified in Article 8 of the Federal Law No. 166-FZ of December 8, 2003 on the budget of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation for the year 2004.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-21/726 of December 29, 2003 on the Endorsement of the Form of the Tax Declaration for the Payment for the Use of Water Objects and Its Filling Instruction

Endorses the new form of the tax declaration for the payment for the use of water objects (Form KND 1151032) and its filling Instruction.

The Order is entered into force beginning with the tax period for January (I quarter) 2004.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 11, 2004. Reg. No. 5539.

Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 14n of January 28, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Procedure of Providing of Information by Insurers of Conclusion, Prolongation and Termination of the Contract of Obligatory Insurance of the Liability of a Specialised Depositary and the Management Companies

Insurers shall send the mentioned information to the Ministry of Finance of Russia within three working days from the date conclusion, prolongation and termination of the appropriate contract. Information is submitted on paper medium according to the attached form together with the cover letter drawn up in free form.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 11, 2004. Reg. No. 5538.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 73 of February 12, 2004 on the Amendments to the Decisions of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 318 of March 15, 1997, No. 346 of June 19, 2003 and No. 395 of June 30,

Application of the insured to choose the investment portfolio (management company) submitted before December 31, 2003 must be considered in the Pension Fund of Russia before March 1, 2004. In case of refusal to satisfy the application of the insured to choose the investment portfolio (management company), or the application remains unconsidered, the Pension Fund of Russia shall notify of it the insured no later than March 31, 2004.

The Pension Fund of Russia shall provide for the transfer before March 31, 2004 of accumulated pensions to the selected by the insured management companies and the state management company according to the procedure specified in the contracts of trust control of the resources of accumulated pensions. The transfer applies to the amounts of insurance contributions financing the accumulated part of the labour pension received in the Pension Fund of Russia during the year 2002 and the net financial result obtained from their temporary placement.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 71 of February 10, 2004 on the Creation, Reorganisation and Liquidation of the Federal State Enterprises

Decisions on the creation, reorganisation and liquidation of the federal state institutions are taken by the Government of the Russian Federation on the basis of draft acts prepared by the federal bodies of executive power in coordination with the Ministry of Property Relations of Russia, Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, Ministry of Labour of Russia and the Ministry of Finance of Russia. The draft decision must contain the subject and goals of activities of the institution, as well as the limiting employee payroll and the amount of allocations to maintain the created (reorganised) institution within the limits of resources envisaged for these purposes in the federal budget. The charter of the federal state institution is endorsed by the federal body of executive power in charge of the coordination and regulation of activities in the appropriate sphere (sphere of management) in coordination with the Ministry of Property Relations of Russia and the Ministry of Finance of Russia.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1378-U of January 16, 2004 on the Adjustment of the Acts of the Bank of Russia

Pursuant to the adoption of the Instruction of the Bank of Russia No. 110-I of January 16, 2004 on the obligatory normatives for the banks entering into force from April 1, 2004 invalidates the Instruction of the Bank of Russia No. 1 of October 1, 1997 on the procedure of regulation of activities of the banks with amendments, as well as individual operative directions on the application of this Instruction.

The Direction is entered into force from April 1, 2004.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 83 of February 14, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Rules of Providing Budget Loans from the Federal Budget to the Subjects of the Russian Federation to Cover Temporary Cash Deficits

The temporary cash deficit emerging in the execution of the consolidated budget of the subject of the Russian Federation is defined as under-received in a certain period of the fiscal year incomes to implement the expenses envisaged in the budget of the subject of the Russian Federation taking into account the sources of financing of the budget deficit. If such deficit is available or forecasted, the body of executive power of the subject of the Russian Federation may apply to the Ministry of Finance of Russian Federation to get the budget loan. Budget loans are provided for not more than 6 months within the fiscal year. The budget loan is not provided to the subject of the Russian Federation with an overdue debt in the earlier obtained budget loans.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 82 of February 14, 2004 on the Procedure and Terms of Financing in 2004 of Preventive Measures Aimed at Reduction of Industrial Injuries and Occupational Diseases of Employees

Defines the procedure and terms of partial financing in 2004 of preventive measures aimed at reduction of industrial injuries and occupational diseases of insurant employees including the financing of periodic medical examinations and preventive treatment, in particular, sanatoria and resort treatment of employees engaged in works with adverse and hazardous factors. The list of preventive measures is endorsed by the Ministry of Labour of Russia in coordination with the Social Insurance Fund of Russia and serves as grounds for the working out of the plan of insurant preventive measures.
The amount of resources allocated by the insurant for the partial financing of preventive measures may not be greater than 20% of the amounts of insurance contributions transferred by this insurant to the Social Insurance Fund of Russia during the year 2003. Decision on the partial financing or refusal of it is taken by the Social Insurance Fund of Russia within 15 days from the day of submission of the application by the insurant. Applications are accepted before July 1, 2004.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 80 of February 14, 2004 on the Measures to Implement the Federal Law on the Federal Budget for the Year 2004

To implement the Federal Law on the federal budget for the year 2004, distributes the duties and issues orders to the federal bodies of executive power. Execution of the federal budget is implemented according to the summary budget list of the federal budget for the year 2004. Any amendments to the budget list inspiring creditor indebtedness reducing expenses is not permitted.
The recipient of the resources of the federal budget, when concluding contracts for supplies of commodities, works, services to be covered at the expense of the resources of the federal budget, may envisage advance payments. The contracts for communication services, subscription for printed matter, study at professional development courses, purchase of air and railway tickets, tickets for the urban and suburban transportation, as well as accommodations for sanatoria and resort treatment, may envisage advance payments in the amount of 100% or 30% for other contracts.
For the year 2004, there is a limit for provided tax credits, respites, extension schedules for the payment of federal taxes and fees fixed in the amount not greater than Rbl 750 million. The Decision lists the acts of the Government of the Russian Federation prolonged for the year 2004 pursuant to the adoption of the Law on the federal budget for the year 2004. In particular, prolongs the rules of paying out in 2003 to individual categories of citizens of preliminary compensation (compensation) for the deposits in the Savings Bank of the Russian Federation and some insurance organisations being guaranteed savings.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 77 of February 13, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Typical Insurance Rules of a Non-State Pension Fund Engaged in Activities in Obligatory Pension Insurance

The rules define the procedure and terms of execution by a non-state pension fund of obligations under the contracts of obligatory pension insurance concluded by this fund and the insured in favour of this person or his heirs. The execution of the duties by the find implies the assigning and paying out to the insured of the accumulated part of the labour pension, paying out of accumulated pension to the heirs of the insured, handing over of accumulated pensions to another insurer. The Decision specifies that the fund secures its liabilities with all the property owned by it.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1377-U of January 16, 2004 on the Invalidation of Individual Normative Acts of the Bank of Russia

Pursuant to the adoption of the Directions of the Bank of Russia No. 1375-U and No. 1376-U of January 16, 2004 specifying the rules of drawing up and submission of reports by credit organisations to the Bank of Russia, as well as the list, forms and procedure of submission of these reports, invalidates individual normative acts of the Bank of Russia. In particular, invalidates the Direction of the Bank of Russia No. 7-U of October 24, 1997 on the procedure of drawing up and submission of reports by credit organisations to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.
The Direction is entered into force from April 1, 2004 and must be published officially in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 84 of February 16, 2004 on the Amendments to the Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 914 of December 2, 2000

Amends the rules of keeping of logbooks of received and drawn up invoices, purchase ledger and sales ledger in the estimates of the value added tax. The mentioned rules are being brought in compliance with the Federal Law No. 117-FZ of July 7, 2003 having entered into force from January 1, 2004. The new wording is provided for the forms of the purchase ledger and the sales ledger. The mentioned forms include the column envisaging the 18% tax rate and preserve the column for the calculation of the 20% VAT rate.

The changes were also made to the form of the invoice. Thus, the "Seal", "Issued by" and the "Signature of the Seller Representative in Charge" are omitted.

The Decision specifies that invoices issued when selling commodities (carrying out works, rendering services) by organisations and independent entrepreneurs for cash must be registered in the sales ledger. In this case, the readings of control tapes of cash registers are registered in the sales ledger without the amounts of appropriate invoices.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 51 of February 6, 2004 on the Amendments to and Invalidation of Some of the Decisions of the Government of the Russian Federation Pertaining to Improvement of State Management in the Russian Federation

The amendments are introduced pursuant to the abolishment from July 1, 2003 of the Federal Border Guard Service of the Russian Federation, Federal Agency of Governmental Communication and Information of the President of the Russian Federation and the Federal Service of the Tax Police. The functions of the Federal Border Guard Service are handed over to the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation incorporating the Border Guard Service. The functions of the Federal Agency of Governmental Communication and Information of the Russian Federation are handed over to the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation and the Service of Special Communication and Information. The functions of the Federal Service of the Tax Police are handed over to the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances and the Federal Service for Economic and Tax Crimes of the Ministry of Internal Affairs o f the Russian Federation.

Order of the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances No. 306 of December 31, 2003 on the Endorsement of the Typical Internal Rules of the Bodies in Charge of Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances

The divisions, territorial bodies and organisations of the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances shall have a strictly regulated daily routine stipulated by the particulars of service activities and operative situation, time of the year, local conditions and other specific circumstances. The typical rules shall define for the personnel, federal state servants and employees of the bodies of the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Control over Circulation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances the length of the working week, length, beginning, end and procedure of registration of the service (working) time, time of breaks for rest and meals, on-duty (shift) schedules in cases of shift work, procedure of work in excess of the specified service (working) time, as well as on week-ends and holidays.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5550.

Order of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation No. 23 of January 14, 2004 on the Organisation of Reception, Registration, Record Keeping and Consideration in the Bodies of the Federal Security Service of Reports of Crimes and Other Criminal Information

Information of crimes may be received in the security bodies in the form of applications, surrender, reports of committed or anticipated crimes, other sources. The body of investigation, investigator must accept and verify the report of any committed or anticipated crime and take the decision on it within the scope of authority specified in the Code of Criminal Procedures of the Russian Federation no later than within 3 days from the day of receiving of the mentioned report. The applicant gets the document of reception of the report of the crime with information on the person having accepted it, as well as the date and time of reception.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5548.

Decision of the Federal Commission for Securities Market No. 03-51/ps of December 24, 2003 on the Amendments to the Regulation on the Particulars of Issue of Bonds and Disclosing of Information by International Financial Organisations on the Territory of the Russian Federation Endorsed by the Decision of the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia No. 03-24/ps of April 24, 2003

Specifies that the bond prospectus must indicate the time specified in the decision of issue (additional issue) of the bonds when the delay of execution of obligations by the issuer is considered to be a significant violation of the terms of the concluded loan contract. The quarterly report is submitted by the issuer to the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia no later than within 90 days from the end of the reported quarter.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5547.

Decision of the State Standards Committee of the Russian Federation No. 4 of January 30, 2004 on the National Standards of the Russian Federation

From July 1, 2003, adopted earlier by the State Standards Committee of Russia state and interstate standards are recognised as national standards. Before the entry into force of the appropriate technical regulations, the requirements to the products, production processes, operation, storage, transportation, sale and utilisation specified in the mentioned national standards must be executed on the obligatory basis only when pertaining to the protection of the life and health of citizens, property of natural persons or legal entities, state or municipal property, protection of the environment, life and health of animals and plants, prevention of actions misleading the buyers.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5546.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 89 of February 17, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Fundamentals of Price Forming in the Sphere of Housing and Communal Services

Defines the main principles and methods of price forming for the services in the maintenance and repair of dwelling space, dwelling space leasing and tariff rates for communal services, as well as the rules of regulation and application of these prices and tariff rates.

Regulation applies to the prices for the dwelling space (including the prices for the services in the maintenance, repair of the housing space and leasing) and the tariff rates for communal services (including tariff rates for the services in water supplies, water disposal, central heating, hot water supplies, electric power supplies, supplies of solid fuels, services in network and liquefied gas supplies, gas supplies in flasks).

To fix the prices and tariff rates, the method of economic substantiation is used. In addition, there is a method of indexing that changes the prices and tariff rates fixed using the method of substantiation with deflator indexes fixed by the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia.

It is not permitted to apply within one estimated period of regulation different methods of fixing of prices and tariff rates for organisations engaged in the same regulated types of activities.

Control over application of prices and tariff rates, including the substantiation of their amount, is vested in the bodies in charge of the regulation.

Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 13n of January 28, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Procedure of Disclosing of Information on the Structure and Composition of Stock-Holders (Participants) of a Specialised Depositary and Management Companies

Specialised depositary and management companies must submit on the annual basis no later than July 1 of the year following the reported one information according to the attached form on the structure and composition of stock-holders (participants) with the share in the registered capital of the specialised depositary or management company being at least 1 percent. The Ministry of Finance of Russia shall provide for the disclosing of provided information on the Internet site of the Ministry of Finance of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 17, 2004. Reg. No. 5561.

Instruction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 109-I of January 14, 2004 on the Procedure of Adoption by the Bank of Russia of the Decision on the State Registration of Credit Organisations and Issue of Licenses for Bank Operations

Specifies the particulars of the procedure of adoption by the Bank of Russia of the decision on the state registration of credit organisations and issue of licenses for bank operations.

The credit organisation may be created on the basis of any property form as an economic company (joint-stock company, limited-liability or additional-responsibility company). The founders of the credit organisation must pay 100% of the declared registered capital of the credit organisation specified in the charter of the credit organisation within one month from the day of receiving of the notification of the state registration. For the opening of the branch, the credit organisation pays the fee of 100 minimum amounts of labour remuneration as of the moment of issue of the notification of the Bank of Russia of the opening of the branch of the credit organisation.

The Instruction applies to legal relations in the sphere of state registration of credit organisations and issue of licenses for bank operations if by the day of its entry into force, the Bank of Russia did not take decisions envisaged in the Instruction as a result of consideration of the documents submitted by credit organisations and/or other entities.

The Instruction is entered into force 10 days after the moment of its publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5551.

Decision of the Ministry of Labour of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 1/1n of January 12, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Procedure of Calculation and Confirmation of the Length of State Service Permitting to Get the Length-of-Service Pension of the Federal State Servants and Determination of the Compliance of Positions with the Periods of Service (Work) in Them Included in the Length of State Service

The endorsed procedure regulates the issues of calculation of the length of state service permitting to get the length-of-service pension of the federal state servants, confirmation of this length of service, determination of compliance of positions, inclusion in the length of state service permitting to assign the length-of-service pension.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 13, 2004. Reg. No. 5549.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 90 of February 18, 2004 on the Endorsement of the List of Commodities Produced Using the Property of Organisations Not Exempted from the Property Tax from Organisations and/or Sold by Such Organisations

The mentioned list includes automobile tyres, hunting rifles, yachts, motor boats (other than special-purpose ones), products of the ferrous and non-ferrous metal industry (other than second-hand raw materials and metal items), precious stones and precious metals, fur items (other than those for children), high-quality items of crystal and porcelain, caviar, finished delicacies of valuable fishes and sea products.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1382-U of February 2, 2004 on the Amendments to the Regulation of the Bank of Russia No. 205-P of December 5, 2002 on the Rules of Accounting Work in Credit Organisations Located on the Territory of the Russian Federation

The Chart of Accounts in credit organisations is extended to include new passive Balance Accounts 30126, 30226, 30410, 30607, 60405 "Reserves for Possible Losses". Balance Accounts 50212 and 50506 "Reserves for Devaluated Securities" are excluded.

The Direction changes the names of the Balance Accounts 20321, 47425, 47702, 50709, 50809, 60105, 60206, 60324. In the new wording, their name is "Reserves for Possible Losses". The mentioned accounts are intended to register the flow (forming (accrual), recovery (reduction)) of reserves for possible losses. Analytical records are arranged on the personal accounts opened for each contractor of a credit organisation under the deal in the framework of concluded contracts. The records are maintained in the currency of the Russian Federation.

Appropriate changes are introduced in the description of the mentioned accounts, scheme of analytical records of incomes and expenses and the report of profits and losses. The changes are also introduced in the balance report of the credit organisation and the procedure of accounting work for investments in securities and operations with securities.

The Direction is entered into force 10 days after the day of its official publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 19, 2004. Reg. No. 5571.

Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation No. 63 of February 4, 2004 on the Amendment to the Interim Procedure of Exchange of the Passport of the Citizen of the USSR for the Passport of the Citizen of the Russian Federation for the Citizen Registered at the Place of Residence in One of the Subjects of the Russian Federation and Actually Living or Registered at the Place of Residence in Another Subject of the Russian Federation Endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia No. 347 of May 24, 2003

The changes are introduced in view of the prolongation of the time of replacement of the passports of the citizens of the USSR for the passports of the citizens of the Russian Federation till July 1, 2004.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 19, 2004. Reg. No. 5566.

Order of the State Customs Committee of the Russian Federation No. 160 of February 6, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Procedure of Certification of the Specialists of the Customs Registration

Defines the qualification requirements to the specialist of the customs registration and specifies the procedure of passing of the qualification examination to get the qualification certificate of the specialist of the customs registration. Lists the documents submitted together with the application for the certification.

The qualification examination is arranged by the regional customs departments simultaneously on the whole territory of the Russian Federation at least two times in a calendar year.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 19, 2004. Reg. No. 5565.

Order of the Ministry for Antimonopoly Policy of the Russian Federation No. 33 of January 30, 2004 on the Amendments to the Regulation on the Procedure of Approval of the Deals Pertaining to the Purchase of Assets or Stocks (Shares in the Registered Capital) of Financial Organisations, As Well As the Rights Permitting to Define the Terms of Entrepreneurial Activities or Implement the Functions of the Executive Body of a Financial Organisation Endorsed by the Order of the Ministry for Antimonopoly Policy of Russia No. 210 of February 28, 2001

Specifies that the request for the purchase by legal entities and/or natural persons of more than 20% of the stocks (shares in the registered capital) in cases of changing of the registered capital of a financial organisation is submitted to the antimonopoly bodies by the person (persons) buying the stocks (shares in the registered capital).

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 17, 2004. Reg. No. 5560.

Decision of the Federal Commission for Securities Market No. 03-48/ps of December 24, 2003 on the Procedure of Qualification of Securities

The endorsed procedure regulates the relations emerging when the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia qualifies the securities. For the purposes of qualification, the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia may check the legal entities whose activities at the securities market are regulated by the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia, as well as demand submission of the documents necessary for the solving of the qualification issues. No later than within 3 days from the date of adoption of the decision of qualification of securities, the Federal Commission for Securities Market of Russia shall send the notification of the adopted decision and, if necessary, also an order (including the one on elimination of violations of the legislation of the Russian Federation on securities) obligatory for execution.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 17, 2004. Reg. No. 5555.

Order of the State Customs Committee of the Russian Federation No. 91 of January 26, 2004 on the Amendments to the Order of the State Customs Committee of Russia No. 768 of August 28, 2000

Amends the Order of the State Customs Committee of Russia specifying the particulars of declaring of currencies and securities moved by natural persons.

The currencies and securities are declared in the customs body of the Russian Federation in writing by submitting the cargo customs decoration or in the electronic form. While filling out the cargo customs declaration, Column 53 "Customs Office and the Country of Destination" is not filled out.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 17, 2004. Reg. No. 5554.

Federal Law No. 3-FZ of February 19, 2004 on the Ratification of the Treaty on the Fundamentals of Relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Nicaragua

Ratifies the Treaty signed in New York on September 18, 2002. The contracting parties develop mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation. The parties shall assist business contacts and links, assist direct links between enterprises, companies and other economic subjects and organisations of both countries, as well as provide, in framework of their national legislations, bilateral agreements and on the basis of the principle of reciprocity, for the maximum beneficial conditions of such entrepreneurial and other economic activities. The parties shall implement bilateral cooperation in the interests of a stable development and solution of socio-economic tasks of their states including attraction of investments, improvement of use of natural resources and economic potential.

Federal Law No. 2-FZ of February 19, 2004 on the Ratification of the Treaty on Friendly Relations and Cooperation between the Russian Federation and Romania

Ratifies the Treaty signed in Moscow on July 4, 2003. The Treaty envisages expansion of economic cooperation, creation of favourable conditions for development of up-to-date forms of trade exchange, economic and scientific and technical cooperation. The parties shall assist establishing direct links and cooperation between the subjects of entrepreneurial (economic) activities, as well as promote development of cooperation in the sphere of capital investments.

      Besides, the parties shall encourage expansion of contacts between the citizens of both states, including mutual trips of citizens for business, economic, cultural and scientific purposes, as well as for private matters.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 96 of February 20, 2004 on the Summary Register of Organisations of the Defence Industry Complex

The Summary Register of Organisations of the Defence Industry Complex is a federal information system containing information on organisations included in the Register, on their property and financial standing and on the economic efficiency of activities. The Register includes organisations possessing as property, in economic management or operative control isolated property, including equipment and production space, as well as possessing qualified personnel for development, production, repair and utilisation of armaments, military and special equipment. Information contained in the Register is of restricted-access nature. Creation and keeping of the Register is vested in the Ministry of Industry and Science of Russia.

Decision of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation of February 25, 2004 on the Case of Constitutionality of Item 10 of Article 75 of the Federal Law on the Main Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right to Participate in the Referendum of the Citizens of the Russian Federation and Part 1 of Article 259 of the Code of Civil Procedures of the Russian Federation Pursuant to the Request of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation

The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation recognised as not complying with the Constitution of the Russian Federation the provision of Item 10 of Article 75 of the Federal Law on the main guarantees of electoral rights and the right to participate in the referendum of the citizens of the Russian Federation and Part 1 of Article 259 of the Code of Civil Procedures of the Russian Federation stating that if the violations mentioned in the appeal or application on the decisions and actions (failure to act) violating electoral rights of citizens and the right of citizens to participate in the referendum affect a significant number of citizens, or the violation acquired a special public significance because of other circumstances, the Central Electoral Commission of the Russian Federation may apply to the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation that has to consider the appeal.

The Decision is entered into force immediately after annunciation.

Decision of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation of February 24, 2004 on the Case of Constitutionality of Individual Provisions of Articles 74 and 77 of the Federal Law on Joint-Stock Companies (in the Wording of December 26, 1995) Regulating the Procedure of Consolidation of Placed Stocks of the Joint-Stock Company and Redemption of Fractional Stocks Pursuant to the Appeals of Citizens, a Legal Entity and Request of the Oktyabrsky Regional Court of the City of Penza

The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation recognised as not contradicting the Constitution of the Russian Federation interconnected provisions of Paragraph 2 of Item 1 of Article 74 and Article 77 of the Federal Law on joint-stock companies (in the wording of May 24, 1999) stating that in case of forming of fractional stocks during consolidation, the latter must be redeemed by the company at the market value. The given provisions imply taking into account the rights and legal interests of the holders of fractional stocks by applying appropriate legal procedures and an efficient judicial control over the decisions taken by the Board of Directors (Supervising Board) and the general meeting of stock-holders. The revealed constitutional and legal meaning is obligatory to all and excludes any other their interpretation in the judicial practice.

Decisions on the cases of stock-holder citizens based on the mentioned provisions in the interpretation other than their constitutional and legal meaning revealed by the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation must be revised according to established procedure.

The Decision is entered into force immediately after annunciation.

Federal Law No. 4-FZ of February 22, 2004 on the Amendment to Article 25 of the Federal Law on the Military Duty and the Military Service

Sets forth that the citizens living in individual regions of the Far North or individual localities of the similar status are called up for the military service from May 1 through June 30 or from November 1 through December 31. The list of the mentioned regions and localities, as well as the draft time for the citizens living in these regions and localities, are defined by the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

Earlier, the draft in the given category applied to the citizens living only in individual regions of the Far North according to the list defined by the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation only from May 1 through June 30. Other citizens are called up for the military service according to the commonly accepted procedure.

The Federal Law is entered into force from the day of its official publication.

Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 264 of February 24, 2004 on the Government of the Russian Federation

From February 24, 2004, sends the Government of the Russian Federation into retirement. The Government continues to execute their functions before the forming of the new composition of the main executive body of power of the country. The duties of the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation are vested temporarily in the Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation V.B.Khristenko.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 99 of February 21, 2004 on the Organisation of the Transfer of the Forestry Lands into Non-Forestry Ones for Their Use for the Purposes Other Than the Forestry Industry, Use of the Forestry Fund, As Well As the Transfer of the Lands of the Forestry Fund into Other Land Categories

As an exception, permits the bodies of state power to transfer the forestry lands into non-forestry ones and to transfer the lands of the forestry fund into other land categories according to the available in the present time procedure of transfer of the forestry lands into non-forestry ones for their use for the purposes other than the forestry industry, use of the forestry fund, and/or withdrawal of the lands of the forestry fund in the presence of the positive statement of the state ecological expertise while observing the requirements of the forestry and land legislation of the Russian Federation.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 98 of February 21, 2004 on the Amendments to the Customs Tariff of the Russian Federation Pertaining to the Import of Individual Types of Technological Equipment to the Customs Territory of the Russian Federation

For 9 months introduces the rates of the import customs duties for certain types of equipment for drink and commodity packing, as well as for certain types of self-propelled mechanisms and machine-tools using electric discharge processes.

The Decision is entered into force one month after the day of its official publication.

Order of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Public Health of the Russian Federation No. 18/29 of January 29, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Instruction on the Procedure of Providing Blank Disability Sheets, Their Registration and Storage

Defines the procedure of providing blank disability sheets for the medical organisations licensed to carry out works and render appropriate medical aid services, including the temporary disability expertise, as well as their registration and storage. Provides the forms necessary for the mentioned document turnover.

The making of the blank disability sheets is vested in the Social Insurance Fund of Russia. All medical organisations must submit to the pubic health management bodies on the quarterly basis before the 5th of the month following the reported quarter the request reports to obtain blank disability sheets regardless of the demand for these blank forms.

The blank disability sheets are strict-reporting documents and must be stored in special rooms, safes or in specially made iron-coated cabinets with safe internal or hanging locks. The rooms, safes, cabinets used to store the blank forms must be locked and sealed. The blank forms must be registered in accounting records on a systematic basis on off-balance accounts.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 19, 2004. Reg. No. 5573.

Decision of the Higher Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation No. 14770/03 of January 22, 2004

The applicant challenged the provisions of the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-22/135 of March 26, 2003 amending the logbook of incomes and expenses of organisations and independent entrepreneurs using the simplified system of taxation and the procedure of recording of economic operations in it. According to the amendments, the taxpayers using the simplified system of taxation must record in the logbook of incomes and expenses not only the figures of their activities necessary for the calculation of the taxable base and the amount of the uniform tax, but also keep records of incomes and expenses other than those affecting the mentioned calculation.

The Higher Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation recognised the mentioned Order of the Ministry of Taxation as not complying with the Tax Code of the Russian Federation and invalid inasmuch as it pertains to independent entrepreneurs.

Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 230 of February 20, 2004 on the Amendments to the List of Equipment, Materials and Technologies That May Be Used to Create Missile Weapons Subject to Export Control

Amends the sections pertaining to flight control systems, engine and equipment elements, design materials, fuel and chemicals, as well as other equipment, materials and instruments.

The Decree is entered into force three months after the day of its official publication.

Direction of the Central Bank of Russia No. 1387-U of February 17, 2004 on the Adjustment of the Normative Acts of the Bank of Russia

Pursuant to the entry into force of the Regulation on the disclosing of information by issuers of emission securities endorsed by the Decision of the Federal Commission for Securities Market of the Russian Federation No. 03-32/ps of July 2, 2003, invalidates the Regulation of the Bank of Russia No. 43-P of July 2, 1998 on the disclosing of information by the Bank of Russia and credit organisations being participants of financial markets.

The Direction is entered into force 10 days after the day of its publication in the Herald of the Bank of Russia.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-09/97@ of February 11, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Methodology Recommendations for the Tax Bodies on the Uniform Procedure of Removal from Records and Registration in the Tax Bodies of the Biggest Russian Taxpayer Organisations Because of the Change of the Place of Location

Defines the procedure of removal from records and registration in the tax bodies of the biggest Russian taxpayer organisations in view of the change of their place of location.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-09/96@ of February 11, 2004 on the Endorsement of the Methodology Recommendations for the Tax Bodies on the Uniform Procedure of Removal from Records and Registration in the Tax Bodies of the Biggest Russian Taxpayer Organisations Because of the Reorganisation and the Methodology Recommendations for the Tax Bodies on the Uniform Procedure of Removal from Records in the Tax Bodies of the Biggest Russian Taxpayer Organisations Because of the Liquidation

Defines the procedure of removal from records and registration in the tax bodies of the biggest Russian taxpayer organisations in view of the reorganisation and the procedure of removal from records in view of the liquidation.

Letter of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation No. 02-18/07-829 of February 9, 2004 on the Amount of the Maternity Allowance

From January 1, 2004, the maternity allowance is paid out as earlier in the amount of the average earnings regardless of the duration of the uninterrupted length of work. The amount of the allowance may not be greater than the maximum amount of the maternity allowance (Rbl 11,700).

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-03/89 of February 9, 2004 on the Amendments to the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-03/25 of January 21, 2002 on the Endorsement of the Instruction on the Filling of Declaration for the Value Added Tax

The Instruction for the filling of the VAT declaration is being brought in compliance with the recent changes in the legislation. The Instruction is intended for the filling of the forms of VAT declarations endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-03/644 of November 20, 2003.

The Order is entered into force beginning with the tax period for January 2004 (I quarter).

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 26, 2004. Reg. No. 5589.

Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 9n of January 22, 2004 on the Amendments to the Instruction on the Procedure of Opening and Keeping by the Federal Treasury Bodies of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation of the Personal Accounts for Registration of Operations in Execution of Expenses of the Federal Budget Endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 142n of December 31, 2002

Amends the procedure of opening, keeping, redrawing and closing of the personal accounts. In particular, specifies that at the opening of the personal account of the recipient of the resources for the Chief Administrator of Resources, the card of the specimens of signatures is singed by the head and the chief accountant (other authorised persons) of the Chief Administrator of Resources and certified with the round seal of the Chief Administrator of Resources. Another certifying signature is not required.

Also changes the procedure of recording of operations on the personal accounts. The federal treasury bodies, on the monthly basis no later than the third of the month following the reported one, shall verify operations of the flow of limits of the budget resources, the volumes of financing and cash expenses recorded on the personal accounts of recipients of resources and personal accounts of another recipient of resources.

A new wording is provided of the forms of applications for the opening, redrawing and closing of the personal account, the cards of the specimens of signatures, permission to open an account in the division of the Bank of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 25, 2004. Reg. No. 5582.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-22/154@ of February 26, 2004 on the Invalidation of the Orders of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-22/706 of December 10, 2002, No. BG-3-22/191 of April 17, 2003, No. BG-3-22/573 of October 28, 2003

Invalidates the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-22/706 of December 10, 2002 on the endorsement of the methodology recommendations on the application of Chapter 26.2 "Simplified System of Taxation" of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation with amendments.

Procedure of Calculation of Insurance Contributions (Endorsed by the Decision of the Board of Directors of the State Corporation "Deposit Insurance Agency" of February 3, 2004 (Protocol 3))

The procedure regulates the relations pertaining to the calculation of the estimate base and estimate period for the payment of insurance contributions to the Deposit Obligatory Insurance Fund. The document envisages the particulars of calculation of issuance contributions for an incomplete estimate period, as well as regulates other relations pertaining to the procedure of calculation of insurance contributions.

The estimate base for the calculation of insurance contributions is defined as the average chronological for the estimate period of the daily balance residues on the accounts used to record the deposits, except for the monetary resources exempted from insurance. The estimate period for the payment of insurance contributions is a calendar quarter of the year.

Procedure of Payment of Insurance Contributions (Endorsed by the Decision of the Management Board of the State Corporation "Deposit Insurance Agency" of February 5, 2004 (Protocol 2))

Defines the particulars of transfer of insurance contributions on the agency accounts in the Bank of Russia used to register the monetary resources of the Deposit Obligatory Insurance Fund. The procedure also regulates the relations pertaining to the failure to pay, untimely, incomplete or excessive payment of the amount of insurance contributions and defines the consequences of the failure to fulfil the duty to pay insurance contributions by the bank. The estimate period for the payment of insurance contributions by the bank is a calendar quarter of the year. The first estimate period for the payment of insurance contributions is the period from the day of the bank entry in the register of banks participating in the deposit insurance system to the day of the end of the calendar quarter when the bank was entered in the mentioned register.

The payment of insurance contributions is effected by the bank in the currency of the Russian Federation within 5 days from the day of the end of the estimate period by transferring the monetary resources to the account of the Deposit Insurance Fund.

Letter of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation No. 02-18/07-773 of February 5, 2004 on the Procedure of Calculation of the Temporary Disability, Maternity Allowances

Provides 11 examples of calculation of the temporary disability, maternity allowances for use in practical work as specified in Article 8 of the Federal Law No. 166-FZ of December 8, 2003 on the budget of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation for the year 2004.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-03/89 of February 9, 2004 on the Amendments to the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-03/25 of January 21, 2002 on the Endorsement of the Instruction on the Filling of Declaration for the Value Added Tax

The Instruction for the filling of the VAT declaration is being brought in compliance with the recent changes in the legislation. The Instruction is intended for the filling of the forms of VAT declarations endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-03/644 of November 20, 2003.

The Order is entered into force beginning with the tax period for January 2004 (I quarter).

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 26, 2004. Reg. No. 5589.

Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 9n of January 22, 2004 on the Amendments to the Instruction on the Procedure of Opening and Keeping by the Federal Treasury Bodies of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation of the Personal Accounts for Registration of Operations in Execution of Expenses of the Federal Budget Endorsed by the Order of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation No. 142n of December 31, 2002

Amends the procedure of opening, keeping, redrawing and closing of the personal accounts. In particular, specifies that at the opening of the personal account of the recipient of the resources for the Chief Administrator of Resources, the card of the specimens of signatures is singed by the head and the chief accountant (other authorised persons) of the Chief Administrator of Resources and certified with the round seal of the Chief Administrator of Resources. Another certifying signature is not required.

Also changes the procedure of recording of operations on the personal accounts. The federal treasury bodies, on the monthly basis no later than the third of the month following the reported one, shall verify operations of the flow of limits of the budget resources, the volumes of financing and cash expenses recorded on the personal accounts of recipients of resources and personal accounts of another recipient of resources.

A new wording is provided of the forms of applications for the opening, redrawing and closing of the personal account, the cards of the specimens of signatures, permission to open an account in the division of the Bank of Russia.

Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on February 25, 2004. Reg. No. 5582.

Order of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-22/154@ of February 26, 2004 on the Invalidation of the Orders of the Ministry of Taxation of the Russian Federation No. BG-3-22/706 of December 10, 2002, No. BG-3-22/191 of April 17, 2003, No. BG-3-22/573 of October 28, 2003

Invalidates the Order of the Ministry of Taxation of Russia No. BG-3-22/706 of December 10, 2002 on the endorsement of the methodology recommendations on the application of Chapter 26.2 "Simplified System of Taxation" of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation with amendments.

Procedure of Calculation of Insurance Contributions (Endorsed by the Decision of the Board of Directors of the State Corporation "Deposit Insurance Agency" of February 3, 2004 (Protocol 3))

The procedure regulates the relations pertaining to the calculation of the estimate base and estimate period for the payment of insurance contributions to the Deposit Obligatory Insurance Fund. The document envisages the particulars of calculation of issuance contributions for an incomplete estimate period, as well as regulates other relations pertaining to the procedure of calculation of insurance contributions.

The estimate base for the calculation of insurance contributions is defined as the average chronological for the estimate period of the daily balance residues on the accounts used to record the deposits, except for the monetary resources exempted from insurance. The estimate period for the payment of insurance contributions is a calendar quarter of the year.

Procedure of Payment of Insurance Contributions (Endorsed by the Decision of the Management Board of the State Corporation "Deposit Insurance Agency" of February 5, 2004 (Protocol 2))

Defines the particulars of transfer of insurance contributions on the agency accounts in the Bank of Russia used to register the monetary resources of the Deposit Obligatory Insurance Fund. The procedure also regulates the relations pertaining to the failure to pay, untimely, incomplete or excessive payment of the amount of insurance contributions and defines the consequences of the failure to fulfil the duty to pay insurance contributions by the bank. The estimate period for the payment of insurance contributions by the bank is a calendar quarter of the year. The first estimate period for the payment of insurance contributions is the period from the day of the bank entry in the register of banks participating in the deposit insurance system to the day of the end of the calendar quarter when the bank was entered in the mentioned register.

The payment of insurance contributions is effected by the bank in the currency of the Russian Federation within 5 days from the day of the end of the estimate period by transferring the monetary resources to the account of the Deposit Insurance Fund.

Letter of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation No. 02-18/07-773 of February 5, 2004 on the Procedure of Calculation of the Temporary Disability, Maternity Allowances

Provides 11 examples of calculation of the temporary disability, maternity allowances for use in practical work as specified in Article 8 of the Federal Law No. 166-FZ of December 8, 2003 on the budget of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation for the year 2004.