Abstract: The subject of this research is the education system as the element of institutional environment of innovation development of the rural areas (including the Mari El Republic). The choice of the topic is substantiated by the issues that have accumulated in the agricultural sphere of the Russian Federation. The agriculture represents the second largest portion of the GRP of the Mari El Republic, but the statistical data testifies of a pressing need for solutions to the problem of shortage of qualified work resources in the rural areas. The goal of this work consists in formulation of measures for development of the regional education system, aimed at increasing the labor potential of the rural areas. The authors analyze the statistical data that characterizes the development of the labor potential of the Mari El Republic, and determine the key problems in this area. A conclusion is made that there is negative trends with regards to availability of labor resources in the rural areas of the Russian Federation (on the example of the Mari El Republic), as well as the need to implement a complex of measures that would be aimed at preparing human resources for agricultural sphere and increasing the workforce in the regions.

Abstract: The object of the research is the process of formation of regional industry clusters, the subject of the research is the institutional environment that affect the formation and development of clusters in the regions. The author of the article considers theoretical aspects of topics related to the concept of "institution" and "institutional environment". In particular, she outlines the main qualifying features of the concept "institution", methods of classification of institutions, highlights the basic elements of the institutional environment of regional cluster development. Special attention is paid to the algorithm used to analyze the institutional environment of regional clustering. The main research method involves a set of abstract-logical methods (induction and deduction, analysis and synthesis, analogy and comparison, formalisation and modelling). The main conclusion of the research is that for the initial stage of studying the institutional environment of the cluster it is better to divide institutions into different groups depending on their level of formalization and level of control. The scientific novelty of the research is caused by the fact that the author defines elements of the institutional environment for cluster development of the regions, and also develops the algorithm for this kind of analysis.

Abstract: The subject analyzed in the article is a group of tax payments that are collected according to fixed tax rates. The object of the analysis is the system of public relations that emerge in the sphere of taxation. The author views the methods of classifying tax rates according to their main criterial features. Especial attention is attached to characteristics of taxes that are collected with application of fixed rates. The author analyzes the dynamics of receipts in connection with taxes that are estimated according to fixed rates, and provides an estimation of the influence of inflation processes on the volume of such receipts.
The author also gives proofs of practicability of annual correction of fixed (specific) rates with an allowance for the index of inflation and changes in the market conjuncture. He suggests several corrective measures that can be used by the government in the case of using fixed tax rates in the conditions of inflation.
In this article, the author uses such methods of formal logic as analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, comparison, and extensively uses the graphic method.
The author comes to the conclusion that a part of the payments that are collected according to fixed rates loses its initial importance due to a number of reasons. He also makes the conclusions about a direct relation between the negative dynamics of tax revenues and inflation processes, as well as about the necessity of introducing several amendments in the country’s tax and economic policy, with due regard for the strategic aims of the social and economic development.

Abstract: Abstract. Providing tax benefits is one of the methods for state regulation of social and economic processes. The choice of research topic was influenced by such factors as the lack of scientifically based tax incentives theory with well-defined and complete classification adapted to the current Russian legislation; unclear benefits provisions dispersed in the RF legislation on taxes, and the problems linked to methods to assess the effectiveness of tax benefits. The purpose of the article is to summarize the approaches to the structure and content of the basic elements of the methodology for assessment of the tax benefits taking into account the tax structure which is referenced to the tax legislation of the Russian Federation and the concept of tax expenses. The work highlights the basic elements of the methodology for assessing the effectiveness of tax incentives and their general characteristics. The paper shows that there is a need to create and use a general classifier of tax benefits. For the first time the study attempts to give a brief critical analysis of the evaluation procedure applied in Yoshkar-Ola (the Mari El Republic) to evaluate fiscal and social effectiveness of tax benefits offered at the local level. Research material may find practical application in the development of a single methodology for assessing the effectiveness of tax benefits, as well as in the activities of executive bodies involved in monitoring of the effectiveness of tax benefits.It is concluded that every provision of the existing regulations governing the monitoring of tax benefits should be carefully examined with the aim of further improvement. The procedure of tax benefits canceling should be smooth, it should be based on the results of assessment of tax benefits effectiveness. Moreover, the assessment should be conducted by the authorized body acting in compliance with a single methodology.