Russia cracks down on tax evasion in digital marketplaces with stricter seller rules
Russia’s Federal Tax Service (FNS) is stepping up efforts to combat tax evasion in online marketplaces. New measures include stricter seller identification and an automated system to detect business fragmentation. The push comes as officials highlight persistent non-compliance in digital retail.
The crackdown began in October 2024, when FNS head Daniil Yegorov announced a pilot programme for data-sharing with marketplaces. The system would flag sellers suspected of splitting businesses to avoid taxes. By early June 2025, the FNS confirmed plans to expand controls, including uniform ID requirements for all sellers and an internal monitoring tool to spot tax risks.
Marketplaces have already started notifying sellers flagged for potential fragmentation, according to reports from Vedomosti. The FNS worked with platforms to roll out a standardised identification system across all digital trading spaces. This aims to improve tax compliance among both retailers and buyers.
Finance Minister Anton Siluanov admitted that some marketplaces and retail outlets still fail to follow tax laws. He called for tighter oversight of cross-border trade, retail operations, and stricter cash register rules. The shadow economy, estimated at around 10% of Russia’s GDP, remains a key concern for authorities.
The FNS and marketplaces are now enforcing stricter identification and real-time monitoring. Sellers suspected of tax avoidance will receive automated alerts. Officials expect the changes to reduce evasion and bring more transactions into the formal economy.
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