Amendments have been made to the Law on the National Payment System, providing that the ban on cash replenishment with anonymous e-wallets shall not cover transport and school cards. This means the possibility of replenishing the mentioned cards with cash.

 On December 18, 2020, the Bank of Russia decided to keep the key rate at 4.25% per annum.

 The federal law has been signed, which provides for the postponement of the entry into force of the requirement to pre-install Russian software for certain types of technically complex goods until April 1, 2021.

 Vaccination against COVID-19 included in the calendar of preventive vaccinations for epidemic indications. The categories of citizens subject to mandatory vaccination against coronavirus and the sequence of the implementation have been established. Priority for doctors, teachers, social workers, employees of multifunctional public services centres, people with chronic diseases, including those suffering from diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular problems.

 Until December 31, 2020 inclusive, all working citizens must submit a written application to the employer in any form about keeping an employment record book in electronic form or keeping on a paper medium. The transition to an electronic employment record book is voluntary.

 The amendments to Direction of the Bank of Russia No. 3210-U of March 11, 2014 on the Procedure for the Conducting of Cash Operations entered into force on November 30.

 When concluding third party liability insurance agreements in the form of an electronic document, websites of certain insurers do not allow entering data on a foreign driver's license into the application, since the corresponding field is limited to 10 characters required for Russian licenses. This is evidenced by citizens' appeals to the Bank of Russia.

 The new Regulations on the procedure for considering pleas of mercy in the Russian Federation came into force.

 The amendments have been introduced into federal constitutional laws on the Judicial System of the Russian Federation, on the Arbitration Courts in the Russian Federation, on Courts of Law in the Russian Federation, on Military Courts of the Russian Federation, as well as into laws on the Status of Judges in the Russian Federation, on the Bodies of the Judicial Corps in the Russian Federation and into the Code of Administrative Court Proceedings of the Russian Federation.

 The President of the Russian Federation signed the federal law on amending the Labour Code of the Russian Federation.

 The super service "Europrotokol online" which allows register a traffic accident without calling the traffic police officers, started working on the whole territory of Russia. The service works through the mobile application "OSAGO Assistant", integrated with the Unified Portal of Public Services.

 The "dacha amnesty" has been extended until March 1, 2026. Herewith, now it concerns residential and garden houses located on land plots intended not only for gardening by citizens, but also for individual housing construction or personal household plots within the boundaries of the settlement.

 Due to the postponement of the matches of the UEFA European Football Championship, the Ministry of Digital Affairs has adjusted the procedure for using personalised viewers’ cards.

An electronic service "Calculator of the Effectiveness of the Implementation of Electronic Document Management" has posted on the website of the Federal Tax Service. With its help, one can calculate benchmarks for costs, payback period and the economic effect of the introduction of electronic document management.
 

On January 1, 2021, new requirements for the contents of a car first-aid kit will come into force. At the same time, motorists do not need to buy new first-aid kits, they will be able to complete the existing ones in accordance with the new requirements.
 

Since 2019, the state duty for registration of legal entities and individual businessmen has been cancelled (for filing documents in electronic form). It concerns the following legally significant actions:
- state registration of a legal entity (with a number of exceptions);
- state registration of changes to the constituent documents of a legal entity;
- state registration of liquidation of a legal entity;
- state registration of individuals as individual businessmen, or termination of activities by individuals as individual businessmen.
 

It is reported that the Ministry of Internal Affairs, together with the Ministry for Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, the Government of Moscow, other interested government bodies and the business community, are working out approaches to conducting an experiment to issue a passport with an electronic data medium in Moscow with its subsequent distribution throughout the country.
 

From April 1, 2020, tax authorities are granted the right to inform, no more than once a quarter, taxpayers and tax agents of arrears and (or) penalties and fines, via SMS service and (or) e-mail. For this, the taxpayer should send a written consent.
The consent may be submitted on paper, or by the registered mail, or through the personal taxpayer's account.
 

Amendments were made to the Tax Code of the Russian Federation that change the procedure for calculating the tax base and the basic rate of personal income tax. It is envisaged to increase the personal income tax rate from January 1, 2021 to 15% in respect of personal income exceeding five million roubles for the tax period (calendar year).
 

Due to the pandemic, the final essay (narration) by students that pass the GIA-11 examination is postponed until April 5, 2021. Repeatedly (for the proved reasons), students will be able to pass examination on April 21 and May 5, 2021.
 

The Prime Minister has signed a decision according to which the amount of payments to employees for innovative developments and solutions useful for business will increase. Starting from the next year, if an employer used an employee’ invention for the previous twelve calendar months, the remuneration shall be paid to the employee being author (inventor) be equal to threefold average wage, and for the use of an official utility model, or an official industrial design - twofold average wage. Currently, similar payments are equal to one average wage.
 

The possibility of issuing foreign travel passports with electronic media by the Ministry of Internal Affairs at Multifunctional Public Services Centres has been extended until December 1, 2021.
 

The Government of the Russian Federation has determined which goods must be pre-installed with Russian software. These are smartphones, tablets, computers, system units, digital TVs.
 

The Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Russian Federation has softened the "covid" regime for tourists, patients and persons who have been in contact with patients with COVID-19:
- swabs (or blood) for a COVID test are no longer taken from those who have been in contact with a COVID-19 patient and who have not developed clinical manifestations of coronavirus;
- those who arrived from regions affected by COVID should no longer self-isolate for 14 days;
- one negative test is enough for discharge from COVID sick leave (as well as to school, kindergarten, etc.);
- discharging from the hospital for follow-up care home can be done without the first negative test. An exception is a discharge for a communal apartment, hotel, hostel, residential care home.
 

It is reported that on November 25, 2020, new forms of applications for registration of business entities and requirements for preparation that forms, will come into force.
 

Starting from November 13, 2020, students of the Ministry of Education and Science institutions in Moscow and St. Petersburg will study distantly (at least until February 6, 2021). The midterm certification will also be held in the remote mode.
Students in other regions shall be transferred to distance learning based on the sanitary and epidemiological situation in the region.
 

From November 12, 2020 to December 30, 2021, an experiment is being carried out: citizens or organisations file applications with authorities via the Unified Web-portal of Public Services. The experiment involves the following agencies: the Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Education, Compulsory Medical Insurance Fund.
Thirty calendar days are given to prepare a response. For individual requests, a simplified procedure will be provided - ten calendar days.

The Bank of Russia has approved new regulations on its payment system. In particular, the regulations of the fast payment service have been improved. Specifics of transferring funds will be established in connection with introduction of a single treasury account through which payments to the budget shall now pass.
 

From 2021, a uniform electronic visa shall be introduced in Russia.
It will be issued on a special website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or using a mobile application. Such a visa can be obtained for tourist, business, humanitarian or guest trips. In this case, invitations, hotel reservations or any other documents confirming the purpose of the trip, a foreign citizen will not need. Suffice it to fill in a form, upload a personal photo and a copy of your passport, pay a consular fee of 40 dollars (for children under six years old - free of charge) and wait for a notification.
The processing time will take no more than four days. The visa will be valid for 60 days from the date of receipt, but it is allowed to stay in Russia for no more than 16 days. Extension of these terms is possible in force majeure circumstances by the decision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
It will be possible to cross the border with an e-visa through checkpoints in many regions, and travel throughout the country.
 

Within the period from July 1 through December 31, 2020, an experiment shall be conducted aimed at traceability of imported goods released in Russia for domestic consumption. From July 1, 2021, the goods traceability mechanism shall be introduced into the Tax Code of the Russian Federation.
 

From 2021, new information security requirements shall come into force. They establish levels of confidence in technical information security and information technology security tools.

The Bank of Russia has adjusted the Chart of accounts for accounting in non-bank financial institutions. The purpose of individual accounts has been changed and a number of new ones have been introduced.

On October 19, 2020, Order of the RF Ministry of Internal Affairs was officially published, which approved new forms of notifications related to the labour activity of foreign citizens on the territory of the Russian Federation.

Certificate on absence of COVID-19 is a special medical document, protected from counterfeiting by a special QR code. This code is unique and is assigned to only one certificate. If you suspect the authenticity of the submitted certificate with the test results for COVID-19, you must contact the law enforcement agencies.

Starting from the report for 2021, a certificate as per the form 2-NDFL will be included in the calculation of 6-NDFL form (in accordance with the Tax Code of the Russian Federation).
The Federal Tax Service approved a new 6-NDFL form, its format and the procedure for filling in.
 

Amendments to the OSAGO Rules entered into force.
Now it is allowed for drivers to draw up a notification of an accident in the form of the European protocol even in case of disagreements between the drivers about circumstances of the damage and the list of visible damage to vehicles.
For using such possibility, at least one of the drivers must have a special mobile app integrated with the webportal of public services. Currently, the "OSAGO Assistant" app performs these functions.

The Federal Tax Service has approved the Regulations on the Register of Trusted Operators of Legally Significant Electronic Document Interchange. Trusted operators shall provide electronic document interchange via telecommunication channels using approved certificates of digital signature verification keys for issuing and receiving invoices. The register of trusted operators will be posted on the website of the Federal Tax Service.
 

The Federal Tax Service has approved a new procedure for submitting electronic documents for state registration of legal entities and individual businessmen. Sending documents via the mobile app or through multifunctional centers is now possible.
 

According to the Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Russian Federation, everybody (with no exceptions), even children, shall wear hygienic face masks to protect respiratory system while being at crowded public areas, in public transport, taxis, parking lots, elevators, etc.
 

The Russian government has extended the program of the subsidised mortgage loans until July 1, 2021 (and not until the end of 2021, as assumed previously).
In compliance with this program and if certain requirements are met, citizens may obtain a loan to purchase housing in new housing developments at a preferential rate of 6.5%. However, the difference between the preferential and market rates shall be reimbursed to banks by the state.
 

The Law on the state registration of legal entities and individual entrepreneurs was amended. The amendments:
- clarified the content of the Unified State Register of Legal Entities;
- established information that the registering body enters into the register independently (without the participation of a legal entity);
- increased (from 3 to 7 business days) the period within which organisations and individual entrepreneurs must notify the registering body about changes in the information contained in the relevant state register.
 

For all persons on the territory of Russia, the mandatory wearing of hygiene masks is introduced in places of mass stay of people, public transport, taxis, in parking lots, in elevators.
Based on the sanitary and epidemiological situation heads of regions are recommended the following:
- to introduce restrictive measures to protect people at risk of COVID-19;
- to prohibit the holding of entertainment events and the provision of catering services from 23.00 to 06.00;
- to strengthen the disinfection regime on public transport, in taxis and other places of mass stay of people;
- to provide laboratory tests for COVID-19 at least 150 studies per 100 thousand population (average daily for 7 days).
 

On October 23, 2020, the Bank of Russia decided to keep the key rate at 4.25% per annum.

The Ministry of Public Health of the Russian Federation officially allowed the dispensing of drugs by electronic prescription from October 25. However, it may take some time for the region to take a decision on the use of electronic prescriptions and to connect to the corresponding information system.
 

December 1, 2020 is the last day for the proper payment of property taxes for individuals for 2019. If the tax notification has not been received by November 1, and taxable property (vehicle, land plot, residential premises, garden house, garage, etc.) is available, this is a reason to contact the tax office and clarify the data. This may be done in any convenient way: in person, by mail, through the authorised multifunctional centre or via electronic services "Personal account of the taxpayer" or "Contact the Federal Tax Service".
 

In 2021, one day of the public holiday will be moved from Saturday (February 20) to Monday (February 22). As a result, the weekend in connection with February 23 will last three days (Sunday, Monday and Tuesday). However, the previous business week will be six days.
November holidays will last four days - starting from the 4th to the 7th (from Thursday till Sunday) due to the transfer of the public holiday from Sunday (the 3rd of January).
New Year's holidays in 2022 will begin on Friday (that is December 31, 2021) due to the transfer of a day off weekend from Saturday (the 2nd of January).
 

In connection with the receipt of applications from citizens, the Bank of Russia recalled that the inspection and organisation of an independent technical examination of the damaged car are the direct responsibility of the insurer.
Imposing the obligation to pay for the inspection and organisation of an independent technical examination on the victims shall be inadmissible.
 

In August, the Government of the Russian Federation established the rules for the return of funds to tourists when buying tours of Russia. The money is returned to tourists by the JSC "National system of payment cards".
If the conditions stipulated by Item 68 of Article 217 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation, the income of tourists received by them as part of the loyalty programme for MIR card users shall be exempt from personal income tax.
 

Restrictions on entry into Russia for citizens of three more countries - Cuba, Serbia and Japan, introduced due to the situation with the coronavirus, have been cancelled. Citizens of these states, as well as persons entitled to reside in these countries, may now enter Russia from these countries through air checkpoints.
As explained on the official website of the RF Government, air traffic with these countries will be resumed as quid pro quo.
 

The Federal Agency for Tourism (Rostourism) set the dates for sales of tour packages with cashback. They will be available for purchase from October 15 to December 5, 2020.
Submission period - from October 15, 2020 to January 8, 2021.
For such tour packages the Government will refund 20% of the tour cost, but not more than 20 thousand roubles. The voucher shall be paid for with a MIR card.
 

The Ministry of Labour of the Russian Federation indicates that mandatory laboratory examination (passing tests for COVID-19 or antibodies) of teachers and other employees of educational organisations before the start of the school year or during the educational process shall not be provided.
 

The Ministry of Public Health of the Russian Federation announces the posting on its website of the initial list of interchangeable drugs.

In accordance with the new Regulations emergency training will include training for the working population in emergency response at least once a year and when applying for a job within the first month, as well as participation in exercises and training.

The Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation recalled the possibility of state registration of a legal entity whose location is the place of residence of an individual who is a permanent executive body or a person authorised to act on behalf of this legal entity.
In this case, the address of the legal entity, which is also the address (place of residence) of the individual, must be used to communicate with the legal entity.

Russians will be able to use the tourist cashback programme on new terms.
The term for the provision of the service shall be extended until January 10, 2021. Now, not only hotels and tour operators, but also travel aggregators will be able to participate in the programme. The dates of the start and end of sales of travel services with cashback will be announced later by the Federal Agency for Tourism.
Minimum tour or hotel duration reduced from four nights to two nights, the minimum cost of the tour is no longer limited (before it was - 25 thousand roubles). The maximum refund will be 20% of the tour cost, but not more than 20 thousand roubles (before it was - 15 thousand roubles.
The prerequisite for the programme (payment with a Mir card) remains the same. Cashback for the card will be credited automatically within five days from the date of payment for the trip.
 

On October 1, 2020 the deadline for the mandatory transition to Mir cards to receive social benefits actually expired.
However, the Central Bank informed credit institutions about the non-application of liability measures for crediting these payments to bank accounts, transactions on which are carried out using payment cards that are not national payment instruments, until December 31, 2020.
Thus, before the new year, benefits can be transferred to those cards that recipients of benefits have, and banks must accept such payments.
 

From October 1 to December 31, 2020, draftees aged 18 to 27 years old are called up for military service (who are not in reserve).
 

Airports were allowed to equip smoking areas in buildings and outdoors. It has been established that surveillance from other rooms for smokers in smoking areas, is excluded.
 

It contains provisions that allow individuals to initiate their bankruptcy out of court.
 

The Russian Agency for Health and Consumer Rights tightened the rules for returning citizens from foreign travel by air. Now tourists returned to the Russian Federation are subject to isolation at home (or in a hotel) until they receive the test results for the absence of COVID-19. And if the test turns out to be positive, then isolation for the whole family will drag on for 14 days.

The taxpayer has the right to take into account the costs of the purchase of a garden land plot where a residential building was built, as part of a property tax deduction after state registration of ownership of the house. This can be done starting from January 1, 2019.
 

The Federal Customs Service reminds that from October 1, 2020, Russia introduces mandatory labelling of perfumes and eau de toilette, as well as cameras (except for motion-picture cameras), photo flashes and flash lamps.
 

From March 1, 2021, the new Rules for the technical inspection of vehicles will come into force.
These amendments provide for the introduction of photographic recording of the vehicle inspection procedure; preparation of diagnostic cards mainly in the form of an electronic document, etc.
 

The International Labour Organisation has developed a guidelines for employers who switched their employees to remote working mode in 2020 in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. The recommendations address the roles and responsibilities of employers and employees when transferring to remote work, as well as methods for solving problems arising in this regard.

GRANTING THE RIGHT TO IT HAS BEEN APPROVED
On July 27, 2020, a federal law entered into force, which introduced provisions in the Civil Code of the Russian Federation that determine the legal regime of geographical indications. At the same time, the legal regime for appellations of origin was adjusted.

The Board of Directors of the Bank of Russia left key rate at 4.25% per annum. This value was set in July 2020. This is the second meeting in a year at which a decision is made to maintain the previous level of the key rate, all other meetings of directors led to a decrease in the rate.

Amendments to the Law on Consumer Loans came into force, providing for the borrower's right to a refund of amounts paid when concluding an insurance contract or joining an insurance program in connection with a loan. The basis for the refund of the corresponding amount is the refusal of the borrower from the insurance contract (participation in the insurance program) and early repayment of the loan.

The RF Ministry of Education and Science has approved the new rules for admission to universities, which will enter into force in 2021-2022 (academic year). Universities will be able to customise their own admission rules. However, the main innovation is that admission to universities will take place as "one wave", while the priority enrollment stage for applicants without entrance exams will remain, as well as according to the targeted or other special quotas.
 

The Ministry of Labour has prepared a draft decision of the Government of the Russian Federation on the transfer of days off in 2021. The department proposes the weekend of January 2 and 3 (Saturday and Sunday), coinciding with non-working holidays, to be postponed to November 5 and December 31, respectively. It is also proposed to transfer the rest day from Saturday February 20 to Monday February 22.

Amendments to the Law on Bankruptcy entered into force on September 1, 2020. The Law now contains provisions that allow individuals to initiate their bankruptcy without resort to courts.
 

User options provided via the Internet service "Taxpayer's Personal Account for Individuals" have been expanded. Now users of the service may download an electronic certificate of registration of an individual, signed with an enhanced certified electronic signature, free of charge and at any convenient time. The document has the same legal force as a paper copy signed by a tax official and certified by a seal.
 

From November 1, 2020, drivers will be able to draw up electronic notifications of accidents and if they have disagreements, as well as in relation to the vehicles owned by organisations. For this purpose, as currently, at least one of the drivers must possess a special mobile application integrated with the webportal of public services.

The Ministry of Culture has adjusted the requirements for the operation of theatres, circuses, philharmonic societies, concert halls, etc., during a pandemic.
If the regional authorities remove the restrictions, events for visitors are held subject to the occupancy rate of no more than 70%, unless the regional authorities have established a lower occupancy rate.
 

The RF Ministry of Justice registered Instructions of the Bank of Russia determining the new tariffs for compulsory motor vehicle third party liability insurance and the procedure for application thereof. Insurers will be able to charge a lower rate for accurate drivers and a higher rate for those who drive at risk and violate traffic rules. For passenger cars owned by citizens, the range of base rates will expand by 10% up and down.
From August 24, 2020, amendments enter into force to be made into the Law on OSAGO concerning customisation of tariffs. Tariffs will be determined depending on the factors characterising a particular driver. This can be, among other things, violation of traffic rules, the age of the vehicle, its mileage, the driver's marital status and the presence of children, telematics devices installed, etc.
 

The Civil Code of the Russian Federation fixes the rules on geographical indication. This is a new item of intellectual rights, which is introduced as a means of individualising a product. It acts on a par with an appellation of origin. The RF Ministry of Economic Development and Trade approved the procedure for its registration.
 

Starting from 2021, declarations for transport and land taxes shall be cancelled for organisations. This means that for 2020 tax agencies will calculate these taxes and notify taxpayers of it via messages as per the approved forms, on the basis of the data about vehicles and land plots owned by an organisation.

The Government of the Russian Federation approved an Action Plan aimed at improving the quality and availability of palliative care for the next four years.
 

The Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-being (Rospotrebnadzor) informs of beginning of the vaccination campaign against influenza. Specifics of the current epidemic season will be the simultaneous circulation of influenza and coronavirus. It is planned to cover at least 60% of the population with preventive vaccinations, and 75% in risk groups. The agency reminds that self-medication for flu is not recommended, since it may extremely dangerous.
 

In the personal account of the taxpayer on the website of the Federal Tax Service, there are several scripts for filling in declarations in accordance with the form 3-NDFL, depending on situation. Such scripts include buying and selling real estate; renting out dwelling apartments; contributions for investment or charity; payment for treatment or education

The rate for educational loans has been reduced and fixed per 3% per annum. The grace period has been increased from three to nine months when the principal does not need to be paid. It is calculated from the moment of graduation. The loan repayment period has been increased from 10 to 15 years (after the end of the grace period).

Starting from August 29, 2020, it will be possible to register vehicles at multifunctional centres. Employees will accept and issue documents, as well as state registration plates. Actions related to inspection of vehicles, registration of registration documents and assignment of registration plates will be performed, as usual, by the traffic police officers.

Borrowers may prohibit creditors from transferring their debts to third parties. This possibility must be included into the individual terms and conditions of the consumer credit or loan agreement. Prohibition by the borrower on transfer of debt should not affect the possibility of concluding a contract.

The Federal State Statistic Service approved two lump forms for filing statistical data on activities of small and medium-sized businesses for 2020.
Such data in compliance with the cited forms shall be submitted to territorial offices of the Federal State Statistic Service before April 1, 2021

A number of media outlets reported that in accordance with the amendments to the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union on the Safety of Wheeled Vehicles, allegedly adopted in 2020, any changes in the design of the vehicle must be approved by the State Traffic Inspectorate with mandatory certification in specialised laboratories. And for the installation of non-standard towbars, roof racks, car owners will be held administratively liable.
The traffic police denied this information.

On August 24, 2020, amendments to the Law on Third-Party Only Vehicle Insurance came into force, aimed, among other things, at personalizing the insurance rate in relation to each insured and recording the driving history of each driver.
The main novelty is that insurers are given the right to differentiate insurance rates depending on certain factors.
These include, for example, the repeated (during the year) bringing of the policyholder to administrative responsibility for driving at a red light, exceeding the permissible speed by more than 60 km/h or entering the oncoming lane.
In addition, it is possible to take into account other factors, such as the age and mileage of the vehicle, equipping the car with a telematics device, and marital status and the presence of children by the driver.
These factors must be indicated by the insurer in the methodology for calculating insurance rates and posted on its website.
The Central Bank will establish a list of factors, the use of which is not allowed.

Federal Law No. 166-FZ supplemented the Law on affixing an apostille on Russian official documents subject to export outside the territory of the Russian Federation. The amendments secured the right of the Government of the Russian Federation to establish the specifics of applying for an apostille, affixing an apostille using information and telecommunication networks, maintaining a register of apostilles in electronic form, and providing remote access to information on affixed apostilles.

From March 1, 2021, the EAEU Pharmacopoeia will begin to operate, which will become the basis for a unified approach to assessing the quality of medicines for five allied countries.
Producers of drugs previously registered in the common EAEU market must, by January 1, 2026, bring their regulatory documents on the quality of drugs in line with the Pharmacopoeia of the Union.

The doctor can prescribe medication with or without a prescription form.
To claim a deduction for personal income tax in the first case, you need to use the form, and in the second - information from medical records.

On July 31, 2020, amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation on liability for violations of currency legislation, which concern
- opening and maintaining accounts with other financial market organisations;
- repatriation of funds;
- presentation of forms of accounting and reporting on foreign exchange transactions.
 

On August 14, 2020, Amendment No. 1 to the Fire Safety Code of Practice 4.13130.2013 "Fire protection systems. Restriction of fire spread at objects of defense. Requirements to spacial layout and structural decisions".

The Government has adjusted the procedure for calculating the "preferential" medical experience, which gives the right to early appointment of an old-age insurance pension.
For medical workers who have provided care to patients with COVID-19 from the beginning of 2020 to September 30, 2020, each day of such work will be counted in the preferential retirement experience for two days.
 

The Government has established new rules for providing emergency assistance to tourists.
In case of termination of activities by the tour operator, tourists are provided with the following assistance free of charge:
- transportation from the host country;
- payment of the hotel services before the start of transportation;
- transfer, luggage storage;
- emergency and urgent medical assistance, legal and other types of emergency assistance.

To receive a social deduction for treatment, it is necessary that a medical organisation or an entrepreneur who provided medical services have a medical licence issued in Russia.
Thus, if the treatment was carried out abroad, then the expenses incurred are not included in the social tax deduction.
 

On August 11, 2020 the Ministry of Public Health registered a vaccine for prevention of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19). It is a vector two-component vaccine based on the human adenovirus. It passed all the necessary safety and efficiency tests on several species of animals and two groups of volunteers. The vaccine does not contain the components of the COVID-19 virus. A two-fold injection scheme allows the formation of long-term immunity.
 

From August 1, the rules governing the procedure for arriving into the Russian Federation by air have been clarified.
Before check-in for a flight to the Russian Federation, Russians must fill in a questionnaire on the website of state services. Upon arrival, within three days, Russians shall pass a PCR test for COVID, and post its result on the website of state services. In case of any ailment within 14 days from the moment of arrival, one shall immediately apply for medical assistance remotely.
Foreign citizens and stateless persons, already upon boarding the plane, must have a certificate of a negative PCR test for COVID, made no earlier than three calendar days before arriving in Russia.
 

The program to stimulate domestic tourism with possibility of receiving cashback for buying tours in Russia or staying at a hotel will be available only for a week and will terminate on August 28, 2020.
All Russian regions participate in the program. The trip must begin no earlier than August 21, but no later than December 20, 2020, and end - no earlier than August 25, but no later than December 31, 2020. Exception - 7 regions (Kaliningrad region, Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol, Altai, Stavropol and Krasnodar regions, Altai Republic). Cashback trips for these destinations will be available from October 1, 2020.

COMPANIES HAVE BEEN CLARIFIED
The President of the Russian Federation signed the Law on amendments to the Law on foreign investments in strategic business companies, which clarified:
- foreign investor control terms;
- signs of a strategic business entity under control;
- grounds for preliminary approval of transactions.
 

On the website of the Federal Tax Service, the Unified Register of Small and Medium Enterprises was updated taking into account the postponed deadlines for submitting tax reports. The presence of information in the Register is one of the conditions for obtaining a state support during a pandemic.
The Register of Small and Medium Enterprises is updated annually on August 10.
 

On August 3, 2020 amendments to the Law on the National Payment System came into force, aimed at minimizing the risks of using electronic means of payment in money laundering schemes.
In particular, from the specified date Article 7 of this Law provides that a client - a natural person who has not been identified or simplified identification in accordance with Law No. 115-FZ on countering the legalisation of illegal earnings (money laundering), can provide funds to an electronic money operator only using a bank account.
The Bank of Russia promptly clarified that these restrictions do not apply to transport and school cards.
 

Parents of adolescents 15-17 years old have legal access to complete information about the health of their children. However, if a teenager acquires full legal capacity after 16 years of age, but before adulthood (for example, marries), parental access to his medical documents is terminated.
 

It is allowed to advertise wines and champagne wines produced in the EAEU countries from grapes grown on the relevant territories. Condition - the place of growth of such grapes shall be confirmed.

Amendments have been made to the Law on public health protection, the RF Code of Administrative Offences, the Law on advertising and a number of other acts. The amendments concern restrictions and prohibitions on the use, sales and advertising of nicotine-containing products, as well as on dissemination of information on it. Restrictions are also applicable to hookahs.

Employees aged 40 or over will be provided with a paid working day for passing medical examination once a year (previously, it was stipulated by the law as once each 3 years).
The use of the provided day for medical examination shall be confirmed by a statement issued by a medical organisation. Employees of the pre-retirement and retirement age shall have the right to two paid working days a year for medical examination.

On July 24, 2020 the Bank of Russia decided to reduce the key rate to 4.25% per annum. The dynamics of inflation is analysed. It is assumed that its level will be about 4%.
 

The Civil Code of the Russian Federation was amended to provide for the issuance of the following documents in electronic form:
- trademark certificate;
- certificates of exclusive right to a geographical indication or appellation of origin of goods;
- certificates of state registration of a computer programme, database, integrated circuit topology;
- patent for an invention (excluding secret inventions), utility model or industrial design.

As the Minister of Education said during a briefing in the Government of the Russian Federation, it is not planned to replace traditional education with distance learning in the new academic year. Distance learning is considered only as an addition to the classical form.
Departmental officials also expects that the epidemiological situation will allow traditional celebratory assembly to be held in schools on September 1, 2020.

The RF Ministry of Transport recalled that when a high alert or emergency regime is introduced, airline companies must refund the carriage charge to passengers both at "refundable" and "non-refundable" tariffs in the following cases:
- passenger’s refusal of carriage (when the air carrier performs the flight);
- a flight is cancelled by the air carrier.

Significant terms of the agreement shall include the following data:
- the type of deposit, its amount and currency;
- possibility of its replenishment and the return period;
- the interest rate on the deposit;
- possibility of its early (pre-schedule) return;
- possibility and the procedure for extending the term of the fixed period deposit.
At the same time, it is provided that at discretion of the parties to the agreement, the table may be supplemented with other conditions that do not contradict the requirements of federal laws.
The table should be placed on the first page of the agreement and be well readable.
The minimum guaranteed interest rate on the deposit should also be designated there.
 

Rospotrebnadzor reminds that its recommendations adopted within the period of the pandemic (for catering organisations, beauty salons, trade, hotels, schools, etc.) shall not be considered as regulatory legal acts. There is no responsibility provided by the law for failure to comply with them.
On the contrary, the requirements SP 3.1.3597-20 on prevention of COVID-19 are obligatory. For non-compliance with these sanitary rules, administrative responsibility is provided.
According to the new SP 3.1.3597-20, which are valid until January 1, 2021, employers shall provide for the following:
- disinfection regime at workplaces and in all working spaces, disinfection of equipment and inventory;
- cleaning the air using special equipment;
- stock up of disinfectants;
- discovering employees with fever, cough or other signs of SARS.

Changes have been made to the March "anti-covid" decrees, according to which a two-week quarantine for persons that entered the Russian Federation is obligatory for:
- everyone who returned to the Russian Federation by the “export” international flights;
- labour migrants.
At the same time, there are requirements that Russians that returned to the Russian Federation must pass an analysis for COVID-19 using the PCR method within the first three days, and labour migrants must present fresh certificates of their negative COVID status.
 

From July 27, 2020, manufacturers of traditional Russian goods will be able to mark their products with special emblems confirming that the appellation of origin or geographical indication has been registered with respect to such goods. The protection marks were developed by the Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent) and have successfully passed the heraldic examination.
 

The law provides, starting from 2021, the opportunity for retail organisations to form a document (check) to reimburse the amount of value-added tax in electronic form when selling goods to individuals that are citizens of foreign states and to confirm the export of such goods (Tax Free system).

New forms, formats and rules for filling in documents used when registering foreign organisations with tax authorities have been approved. There are 12 forms in total, including separate application forms for different cases of registration of a foreign organisation, an international organisation, as well as a diplomatic mission, a representative office of a state (government) body of a foreign state.

The Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Russian Federation made an amendment to his decision No. 7 of March 18 (on ensuring the lockdown):
- two-week isolation for all Russians arriving from abroad is cancelled, now it is enough for citizens of the Russian Federation to pass a COVID test by PCR method in the first three days after returning;
- the two-week isolation is cancelled for all foreign citizens arriving from abroad who have either certificates of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, or certificates of a negative test result for COVID-19 by PCR method, issued no earlier than three days ago.

Income tax relief, VAT relief and preference for mineral extraction tax have been introduced for residents of the Arctic zone. The amendments define:
- conditions for applying a zero rate of income tax to the federal budget;
- list of works (services) for icebreaker assistance of sea vessels and sea transportation of goods taxed at a zero VAT rate;
- the procedure for applying the tax deduction for the mineral extraction tax when extracting minerals from a new subsoil plot.
 

On July 7, 2020, the Regulations came into force establishing the specifics of the execution of the contract for the carriage of passengers by air in the event of a threat and (or) the occurrence of individual emergencies, the introduction of a high alert or emergency regime throughout Russia or in part of it.
The approved rules shall apply to contracts to be executed from February 1, 2020 for international air carriage with the People's Republic of China, from March 18, 2020 - for all domestic air carriage and other international air carriage concluded before May 1, 2020 (with China - from February 1). These rules shall not apply to charters.
According to the document the air carrier has the right to unilaterally change the terms of the contract (date, time, route, type of aircraft):
- change the terms of the contract (date, time, route, type of aircraft);
- refuse to fulfill the contract (cancel the flight) and refund the carriage charge paid for the air carriage of a passenger.
The passenger can use this amount to pay for other tickets for three years.

According to the Ministry of Finance, organisations’ outlays on payment for services for conducting research on whether workers have a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19), as well as immunity to it, aimed at meeting the requirements of the current legislation of the Russian Federation in terms of ensuring normal working conditions for workers, are recorded for taxation of profit as part of other expenses related to production and sale, on the grounds of Subitem 7 of Item 1 of Article 264 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation, that is, as part of outlays on ensuring normal labour conditions and accident prevention measures.
 

A law has been adopted that provides for the creation of a Federal Register of Citizens Eligible to Provide Drugs, Medical Devices or Specialized Health Food Products at the expense of the federal budget or the budgets of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.
 

On July 3, 2020, the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation adopted a resolution on the results of an all-Russian vote on the approval of amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation. According to this document 77.92% of the number of citizens of the Russian Federation participating in the vote supported the amendments.
These amendments entered into force on July 4, 2020.
 

Levilimab (trade name Ilsira) became the second drug registered under the accelerated procedure. This drug is indicated when an excessive inflammatory reaction of the body to the introduction of the virus develops, which leads to damage to tissues or organs, to a severe course of infection with a possible fatal outcome.
 

In Russia, the IFRS document "Reform of the Basic Interest Rate" is being introduced. It shall come into force on the territory of our country within the time periods specified in this document.

The Government of the Russian Federation postponed the All-Russian Population Census to April 2021. In the hard-to-reach areas events shall be held within the period from October 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.

In April, in connection with the pandemic and in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, Russian passports and driver's licences that expired, or should have been expired, from February 1 through July 15, 2020, were deemed valid. The same Decree established that for citizens who have reached the age of 14 years and have not received a passport, an identity document is a birth certificate or travel passport.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation determined that it will be possible to replace or receive such documents until the end of 2020.

The Federal Tax Service has upgraded personal accounts of legal entities and individual businessmen in order to speed up removal of restrictions with respect to operations on debtor accounts and updating information contained in the Bank-inform Internet service on the current suspension decisions.
Now taxpayers may file an electronic appeal themselves and attach payment documents confirming payment of debts.

The government postponed the period of informing employees about the possibility of switching to electronic employment books until October 31, 2020, inclusive. In this case, notification methods should be established in local regulations.

On July 1, 2020, amendments to the Law on the Electric Power Industry entered into force. From now on, the installation, replacement and verification of meters, as well as the transfer of testimonies, are the duties of energy service companies. Smart meters with remote access will allow consumers to track the amount of energy supplied online.

The RF Ministry of Public Health has again postponed operation of the updated Medical Examination Procedure for drivers and candidates for driver’s licences, and it is expected to start on January 1, 2021.
It goes about "total" check (urinalysis) for psychoactive substances and "total" blood tests for a marker of alcohol addiction.

Citizens who do not have time before July 1 to issue a Mir bank card to receive social payments will be able to do this before October 1, 2020. It is until this date that the transitional period is extended, during which the benefits can continue to be credited to the cards of other payment systems. But after October 1, these payments can be transferred exclusively to Mir cards.

The Board of Directors of the Bank of Russia decides to reduce key rate. Since June 22, 2020 it is 4.50% per annum.
It is reported that this decision is aimed at maintaining annual inflation near 4% and maintaining (along with other measures) lending, including in the most vulnerable sectors of the economy.

The Federal Service for Supervision over Communications, Information Technology and Mass Communications removes restrictions to access to the web resources of Telegram messenger in Russia.

A service is launched for remote filing of documents for admission to the selected 54 universities on the free basis. This may be done without waiting for the results of the Uniform State Exam. After results of the exams are available, the points will be automatically transferred to universities and the committee will distribute students into the competition lists.
Through this service, documents for full-time education are accepted. For admission on the contract basis, students shall contact the university directly through the electronic service on the official website of an educational organisation.

The Ministry of Labour has approved new lists of types of jobs, professions, and positions in which citizens may be employed in alternative civilian services, and a new list of organisations where such service is envisaged.

Until October 1, 2020, the validity period of the results of a special assessment of working conditions and training on labour protection or testing of knowledge of labour protection requirements, expiring from April to September 2020, has been extended.

The Russian Association of Motor Insurers announces that on July 1, 2020, the decision of the Council of Insurance Bureau of the Green Card international insurance system will come into force, which provides for the possibility of issuing electronic insurance policies of this system. Holders of electronic policies at the entrance to the territory of the countries of the Green Card system will have to have them in printed form.
Russian car owners will be able to have recourse to this opportunity after completing the necessary technological work in the OSAGO automated information system, amending legal and regulatory framework, as well as organising electronic interactions between the Russian Association of Motor Insurers and Russian and foreign customs authorities.
 

Amendments to the Law on Banks and Banking Activities entered into force, excluding differentiated fees for the transfer of monetary funds between accounts of individuals within the same bank, a side from whether the sender and the recipient have opened accounts in one or different regions of the Russian Federation.
A provision has appeared that provides that the commission fee for the transfer of monetary funds between bank accounts of individuals in a credit institution cannot be caused by the opening of these bank accounts in different separate divisions (internal structural units) of this credit organisation.
 

The specifics of conducting the state final certification for educational programs of basic general and secondary general education and entrance tests for admission to study under the undergraduate and specialty programs in 2020 are approved.
The document stipulates that in 2020 graduates of grades 9 and 11 receive certificates without passing exams. The Unified State Examination shall be taken by graduates who wish to continue their education at colleges and universities.
 

On June 15, 2020 the Federal Tax Service re-opened tax inspections for personal visits. Due to the epidemiological situation, you may apply to the tax office by appointment using the "Online Record for Admission to the Inspection" service or through the Unified Contact Center of the Federal Tax Service

Amendments to the Law on Migration Registration. In particular, it is stipulated that after the amendments enter into force, the host party may file a notification of the arrival of a foreign citizen at the place of stay in the migration registration authority in electronic form. Currently, such notification may only be filed in person, through a multifunctional center or by post.

The instruction leaflet of the first registered drug for coronavirus is available in the GARANT System:
Favipiravir direct-acting antiviral drug (trade name "Avifavir"). According to the results of clinical trials, elimination of the virus during therapy with Favipiravir occurs on average in four days (in the observational group - in nine days).
 

Until December 1, 2020, the deadline for individuals who are residents for submission to tax authorities of reports on the movement of funds on accounts in banks and other organisations of the financial market located outside the territory of the Russian Federation for 2019 has been extended.
Recall that, as a general rule, such a report must be submitted annually before June 1 of the year following the reporting year. However, in connection with the situation due to the spread of coronavirus this year, the deadline has been extended.

The state information resource for accounting (financial) reporting has been launched. It contains the financial statements of organisations for 2019 filed with the Federal Tax Service.
The resource is publicly available. All accounting reports posted on it, as well as audit reports and explanations, are available for viewing and download to all users concerned.
For the convenience of users, the accounting (financial) statements of organisations are available, for the first time ever, for download with the electronic signature of the Federal Tax Service bearing the same legal significance as certified by the seal of a tax authority.
 

The Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare approved the application form for obtaining permits to remote retail sale of drugs and a list of documents confirming that the applicant meets the requirements for online pharmacies.
Also, the pharmacy must confirm the availability of its own courier service with the appropriate equipment for transportation and the availability of a warehouse for completed orders of customers.
 

The social deduction for personal income tax is provided in the amount of the cost of any medicines prescribed to the taxpayer or his or her family members by the attending physician and purchased at his/her own expense.
The following supporting documents shall be attached to declarations filed with tax agencies with respect to personal income tax (form 3-NDFL):
- prescription form drawn up by a healthcare professional;
- payment documents (cash receipt) obtained from the pharmacy.
When release of medicines under prescription, the pharmacist shall put a mark on the prescription indicating the trade name (above the prescription "Rp", which indicates the name of the medicine as per the international non-proprietary name).

CONNECTION WITH THE VICTORY PARADE
The Victory Parade is scheduled to be held on June 24 to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and Victory Parade on June 24, 1945, in connection with which this day was declared a day off in the country with wages reserved for employees. At 10 o'clock local time, military parades will be held on the Red Square of the capital and in other cities of the Russian Federation involving weapons and military equipment, and at 22 o'clock an artillery salute will begin.

Voting day (July 1 falls on Wednesday), according to paragraph 2 of part 5 of Article 2 of the Law on Amendment to the Constitution will be non-working and must be paid in accordance with the provisions established by the Labour Code of the Russian Federation with regard to payment for non-working days.
 

It has been established that the regions (the governor or the territorial body of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare) independently take a decision on:
- isolation regime for persons arriving in the region (at home or in the observatory),
- introduction of social distance - 1.5-2 metres,
- introduction of mask and disinfection regimen,
- use of social exclusion measures (cessation of catering, retail, switch to remote mode, transfer to distance learning; with the spread of infection - the maximum contact limit).
 

The Minister of Science and Education of the Russian Federation: despite of changes in the schedule of holding the State Uniform Examination, it will be possible to file documents with universities starting from June. Universities will accept applications from June 20 to August 17, 2020.
The main specifics of this year is that it will be possible to apply immediately after obtaining a certificate of education and before passing examination. The committees will work with applications, certificates, photos and other documents. As soon as the graduate passes the examination and points are entered into the base, the committee shall carry out rating and admission.

The RF Ministry of Science and Education has defined a new procedure for annual social and psychological testing of students in schools and professional educational institutions. The purpose of testing is prevention of illegal drug use by students.
The minimum age of persons to be tested is 13 years. Persons that have reached 15 years shall undergo a procedure with their written informed consent, the rest - with the consent of one of the parents.
Testing shall be carried out via questionary either in written or in electronic form.

From June 1 to September 30, 2020, the maximum fee for agreements on the acceptance of electronic payment facilities for money transfers using payment cards when paying for medical services shall be 1%.
 

The Law on OSAGO has been amended to improve the existing OSAGO tariff system, including customisation of the insurance rate for each policyholder and the history of each driver’s driving
 

Citizens will be able to receive deposit insurance payments where funds are generated from the sale of housing or land, inheritance, grants in the form of subsidies, in an increased amount, but not more than 10 million roubles. This also applies to funds received by court decision in respect of compensation for damage caused to the life, health or private property, social payments, benefits or compensation.
Insurance coverage is also extended to the funds of small enterprises, condominium associations, consumer cooperatives, Cossack societies, communities of indigenous peoples of Russia, religious organisations, charitable foundations, non-governmental organisations that are community service providers (except for non-governmental organisations that are foreign agents). The amount of compensation for such accounts will not exceed 1,400,000 roubles.

The starting date for exams in 2020 is announced - it shall be June 29, 2020.
The Uniform State Examination shall be taken only by those students that are going to enter universities this year. Moreover, all graduates will be certified on the basis of current, existing grades, and then they will receive their certificates.
It will be possible to submit documents on the results of the exam to several universities at once, and without personal visiting. Enrollment will take place in August.
For graduates of schools military service will be postponed.
Additional budget places shall be allocated so that at least 60% of graduates may apply for free tuition at universities.
 

Seat belt adapters (“guide straps”) are no longer considered as child restraints. They shall not be released as child restraints. The traffic police will not consider their use as compliance with the requirements for transportation of children.
This is due to a change in regulation by the United Nations, since adapters do not provide adequate protection for children in case of an accident.
 

When phasing out quarantine restrictions, regions must consider:
- infection rate (average number of people infected by one patient before isolation);
- availability of free beds for the treatment of patients with COVID-19;
- testing rate per 100 thousand population.
As additional criteria, the mortality rate from COVID-19 can be used, registered weekly incidence of community-acquired pneumonia and proportion of persons immune to coronavirus.
There are three steps to remove restrictions. For each stage, the values of the criteria and the set of measures are determined.
 

The Central Bank identified and recognized as unacceptable the following shortcomings in the work of banks and microfinance organisations when providing borrowers with credit holidays:
- instead of repayment holiday, borrowers are offered their own, less profitable, restructuring programmes;
- information on various restructuring opportunities is not posted on the financial institution’s website or it is difficult to find required information there;
- refusal to accept repayment holiday applications remotely.

The new Regulations takes into account legislative amendments that entered into force on January 1, 2020 and are aimed at optimising the procedure for issuing securities.
In particular, the new Regulations provide for the procedure for submitting documents for state registration of the issue of securities in electronic form, simplify the procedure for summing up the placement of securities, regulate the procedure for registration by registrars of shares that are placed while establishing joint-stock companies (that are not credit organisations), as well as with the use of investment platforms.
 

The Bank of Russia explains that the composition and structure of information in the securities prospectus and the issuer's report are close to international standards under the new rules.
Issuers will use the International Financial Reporting Standards to calculate financial indicators and provide an analysis of factors that have affected the results of financial and economic activities.

The President provided for additional measures of material support for families with children.
Monthly payment in the amount of five thousand roubles for the period from April to June 2020 shall be granted to all families with a child under the age of three.
From June 1, 2020, families with children aged from three to 16 years will be able to receive a lump sum payment equal to ten thousand roubles for each child that has the Russian citizenship.
These payments shall not be taken into account as the family income when providing other measures of social support. For these payments you may apply to the Pension Fund of Russia before October 1, 2020.

The Central Bank re-settled the issues of conducting cash operations with cash foreign currency in authorised banks in Russia with legal entities, individual entrepreneurs and natural persons (customers).

The Board of Directors of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation has reduced the key rate to 5.50% per annum. A gradual decrease in the key rate has been going on since June 2019, braking just once in March 2020.
 

The Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation explained that it recommends suspending routine childhood vaccination throughout the country.
However, each region takes such a decision on its own. If in the region/territory they decide to resume vaccination, then it is necessary:
- to inform the population in advance about the time of vaccination, providing a preliminary appointment for a visit to a medical organisation for immunisation;
- to organise an operating schedule that excludes the accumulation of patients, and provide all the necessary preventive measures.

The entry into force of certain amendments into the Rules for holding exams for driver’s licence which were supposed to be put into operation on October 1, 2020, is postponed till April 1, 2021.
 

Amendments to the Law on the Turnover of Alcohol Products introduce additional requirements for public catering facilities located in apartment houses or on adjacent territories and offering their customers alcohol.
Such services may only be provided by facilities with a service room area of at least 20 square meters. However, regions shall have the right to increase the minimum necessary size of such area hall and even completely prohibit alcohol retailing in such facilities.
 

Timeline of notification by employers of the Pension Fund of Russia of hired and dismissed employees is shortened.
From the moment the decision is published and until December 31, the data is submitted no later than the business day following the date of hiring/dismissal.
Previously, data was submitted once a month.

Amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation, providing for an increase in fines for administrative offences in the field of military registration, were introduced. In particular, sanctions have been tightened for those violations that may be committed by employees responsible for conducting military records.

The RF government has approved the Rules for granting subsidies from the federal budget in 2020 to small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the sectors most affected by the spread of coronavirus. The measures are aimed primarily at maintaining employment and wages in April and May.
Recipients of subsidies shall be determined by the main type of economic activity the information on which is contained in the Unified State Register of Legal Entities or the Unified State Register of Individual Businessmen as of March 1, 2020.

From April 17 to November 1, 2020, citizens may apply for a mortgage at a reduced rate of 6.5%. The difference between the market rate and the preferential one shall be recompensed to banks compensates by the state.
The program provides for a number of conditions regarding lending facilities, loan amount, down payment amount, insurance features etc.

Since 2018, an experiment has been conducted on charging tourists with fees for using the resort infrastructure (resort fee) in the Altai, Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories. In the Republic of Crimea, the introduction of the resort fee is scheduled for May 1, 2021.
Since April 24, 2020, it has been established that the law of a constituent entity of the Russian Federation levying a resort fee can not only be stopped, but also suspended on the territory of individual or all municipalities that are part of the experiment.

 The services for granting the right to use software on the basis of a licence agreement shall be exempted from VAT for the agreements concluded in the written form.

 An experiment involved in working with documents in electronic form without duplication on paper (except for work books and electronic information on labor activities) shall be conducted through March 31, 2021.

Employers and employees may participate in the experiment on a voluntary basis. However, it does not apply to remote workers.

 The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation emphasised that recognising spread of the new coronavirus infection as force majeure cannot be universal for all categories of debtors. The type of activity of the debtor and conditions for its implementation, including the region in which the organisation operates, shall be taken into account. Therefore, in a controversial situation, courts shall establish force majeure taking into account the circumstances of a particular case (including the deadline for fulfilling the obligation, the nature of the unfulfilled obligation, the reasonableness and good faith of the debtor, etc.).

 The Federal Tax Service has updated its electronic service named "Transparent business". It allows to obtain all necessary information on the taxpayers, which increases degree of security for organisations when choosing counterparties.

Now, the following information is available:

• the average number of the organisation's employees;
• taxes paid;
• amounts of arrears as well as debt with respect to interest and fines;
• tax offences committed by the taxpayer;
• income and expenses, etc.

 According to the Information of the Bank of Russia issued on April 24, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation has reduced the key rate to 5.50% per annum. It shall also be recalled that the gradual decrease in the key rate has been going on since June 2019, braking only once in March 2020.