Abstract: The implementation of quarantine measures and the decline in economic activity in 2020 became an impetus for the implementation of a stimulating tax policy not only at the federal, but also at the subnational level. The article examines the experience of countercyclical fiscal policy in the OECD countries, highlights the factors of relatively modest tax support provided to small and medium-sized businesses at the subnational level. The object of the study is stimulating tax expenditures provided in accordance with the legislation of the Russian regions to support economic entities in the conditions of restrictive measures caused by the spread of a new coronavirus infection. The research methodology is based on the methods of formal logic, statistical and econometric analysis. The scientific novelty of this study consists in conducting a comprehensive analysis covering all subjects of the Russian Federation in which stimulating tax expenditures were actually provided, and assessing the regional tax policy implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic through the prism of key budget parameters and indicators of socio-economic development. The regional tax policy was carried out in conditions of large-scale fiscal support from the federal center and deterioration of the state of subnational finances due to the growth of deficit budgets. During the 2020 pandemic, the constituent entities of the Russian Federation provided tax benefits on taxes that account for a small share in the revenues of regional budgets. Since the main purpose of tax incentives was to solve liquidity problems and maintain employment, investment tax incentives for corporate income tax were not introduced in Russian regions. The study of the actual and forecast dynamics of GRP allowed us to conclude that the tax support measures implemented in the Russian subjects stimulated economic activity and helped to smooth out the negative consequences of the coronacrisis.

Abstract: The concept of tax expenditure is gradually being implemented into the budget process in the Russian Federation, which justifies the relevance of this research. Russia uses the legislative approach towards identification of tax spending, which has a weak theoretical-methodological base. There is currently no precise criterion for allocation of tax expenditures, while the definition formulated by the Article 6 of the Budgetary Code of the Russian Federation further complicates their identification. Thus, there is an objective need for development of more comprehensive approach towards identification of tax expenditures from the theoretical perspective. The study of foreign practice allowed concluding that qualification of the tax norm, as a tax expenditure is a rather debatable question. The novelty and scientific-practical importance of the conducted research consists in the proposed interpretation of tax expenditures and tax incentives, which reflects their main attribute consisting in divergence from the fundamental principles of taxation, and ensures accord with the concepts used in the budgetary legislation. The authors develop an algorithm for identifying tax expenditures, based on solution of the task on determination of adherence of the content of tax norm to the key elements of the mechanism of functionality of a tax incentive.

Abstract: The deficit of subnational budgets and deceleration capital investments in multiple Russian regions increase the relevance of research aimed at improvement of tax incentivizing practice of the regional investment process. The studies focused on determination of the impact of socioeconomic and institutional factors upon the efficiency of investment tax expenses obtained wide circulation within the foreign scientific literature. The subject of this article is the assessment of sensitivity of the efficiency of regional tax expanses towards investment attractiveness of the types of economic activity carried out by the residents of territories of advanced socioeconomic development, created in the subjects of Far Easter Federal District. The scientific novelty and practical values of this research consists in substantiation of the reasonableness of assessment of investment attractiveness of the types of economic activity that are stimulated by tax incentives. Methodology for assessing investment attractiveness is proposed and tested. The conclusion is made that in case of low investment attractiveness of the type of economic activity, which was planned to support by tax incentives, it is required to conduct and additional analysis to avoid unjustified tax expanses.

Abstract: An important factor influencing the efficiency of implementation of budget-fiscal policy is the level of public confidence in the government institutions. The concept of tax expenditures, integrated into the budget process since 2014, contributes to increasing transparency of the conducted policy, and as a result, strengthening of public confidence in the government. The article examines the key aspect of application of the concept of tax expenditures in budget process in OECD countries and Russia, indicates methodological problems, and suggests the vectors for improvement of the existing practice. The scientific novelty consist in carrying out a comparative analysis of integration degree of the concept of tax expenditures into the budget process in various countries. The conclusion is made that the main methodological problem of practical implementation of this concept consists in the absence of the uniform approach to definition of the terms “basic tax” and “tax expenditures”, which in many countries despite substantial experience, did not receive legislative consolidation. The authors highlight the following directions for improvement of the national practice: specification of the definitions of “tax breaks” and “tax expenditures”, as well as use of the results of efficiency assessment of tax expenditures for allocation of subsidies to equalization of fiscal capacity of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.