The State Duma has adopted the second and third readings of amendments to the Tax Code aimed at integrating the digital ruble into the system of tax regulation and control. The innovation introduces the concept of a "digital ruble account" in the Tax Code, which will be a special type of bank account. Access to such an account will imply taxation of transactions in a similar manner to a bank account, while transactions related to the opening and maintenance of a digital ruble account, as well as transfers through the digital ruble platform, will be exempt from VAT.

In the context of calculating personal income tax, the actual date of receipt of income will be the day on which digital rubles are credited to the account. For income tax, when an organization conducts income or expense transactions using a digital ruble account, the procedures for recognizing income and expenses in accordance with the accrual and cash methods are established.

Amendments concerning special tax regimes (unified agricultural tax, simplified taxation system, tax on professional income) were also supported within the framework of the second reading. The amendments concern the procedures for recognizing income and expenses received with the change of balance on a digital account, where the date of crediting of funds to such an account will determine the moment of receipt of income.

According to the novelty, the tax authorities will be able to suspend transactions on digital ruble accounts opened on the relevant platform. The procedure for notifying digital ruble platform operators of the suspension of such transactions will be approved by the Federal Tax Service of Russia jointly with the Central Bank of Russia.

The digital ruble platform operator is also responsible for tax compliance and the law provides for obligations in this area. In addition, the possibility to foreclose on digital rubles in case of insufficient funds in the taxpayer's accounts or electronic funds is provided.

The adopted changes are to come into force on January 1, 2025.