Development of the regulatory function of VAT in Russia: prospects for borrowing the Chinese tax refund practices

Abstract

This article discusses the possible directions for the development of the regulatory function of the value-added tax (VAT) in Russia. The relevance of the study lies in the need to expand the set of tools to support the Russian exports. The aim of this work is to identify the possible directions for the development of the regulatory function of VAT. The authors consider the functions of taxes and prove their thesis about the multifunctionality of VAT. They have distinguished four tax functions: fiscal, regulatory, control, and distribution — and provided the characteristics of each of them. The features of the implementation of the regulatory function of VAT in China are considered. A key feature of the Chinese model is the application of differentiated rates to VAT refund amounts for exporting companies. This practice was introduced a year after the introduction of VAT and today is used as a tool to stimulate (or discourage) foreign trade companies. In addition, the authors have identified three possible ways to use the Chinese experience in Russian conditions. The first direction involves differentiating the amounts of VAT deductions within the framework of the operation of the automated VAT control system (version 2): the most reliable companies receive the most deductions and vice versa. The second area involves the differentiation of VAT deduction amounts within the framework of industry charters: the most trustworthy organizations in the industry receive the largest deductions and vice versa. The third area involves the differentiation of VAT deductions in the framework of national projects: the largest deductions are provided for priority categories of goods. To work in each of these directions, the authors propose a system of export coefficients. An assessment is given of possible distortion of the principle of VAT neutrality, which will inevitably occur when the role of the regulatory function is enhanced.