The Commission on Law and Order and Legality of the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg opposed the federal initiative to introduce a “restaurant tax” to support participants in a special military operation (SVO) and their families. During the meeting on October 23, members of the commission noted that they consider such a measure to be excessive, RBC reports.
The bill “On a restaurant fee for the purpose of additional support for participants in a special military operation, other individuals and members of their families” was introduced by Communist Party deputies Mikhail Matveev and Vyacheslav Markhaev to the State Duma on May 17. According to the document, the law proposes to establish a restaurant fee in the amount of 1% of the invoice amount for services rendered in restaurants, bars and nightclubs, and transfer the funds received to the state fund for supporting participants of the Defenders of the Fatherland SVO. It is expected that collection of the fee, if the law is adopted, will begin on May 1, 2024 in Moscow, St. Petersburg, the Moscow region and the Krasnodar Territory. If the initiative is implemented successfully, the law will be extended to other regions.
The chairman of the commission from United Russia, Konstantin Chebykin, said that each of the commission members, as well as other residents of St. Petersburg, “are already helping the SVO participants to the best of their ability.” Deputy Vera Sergeeva (United Russia) added that the bill violates the rights of citizens, since taxes are already approved by the Tax Code. Alexander Kushchak (United Russia), in turn, proposed installing boxes for voluntary donations in establishments.
Source: Rosbalt
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