Russian Manufacturers Request Cashback to Compensate for New Technology Tax
The main producers of radioelectronics in Russia, organized in the AHO BT consortium, have submitted a formal request to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. They ask to implement a rebate mechanism for selling national products at retail. This proposal aims to mitigate the effects of a new technology levy that President Vladimir Putin signed and which will take effect from September 2026. 💰
Proposed Compensation Mechanism
The plan details a scaled cashback system based on the final price of the device. For every Russian smartphone, tablet, or laptop sold, the manufacturer would receive direct financial compensation. The amounts vary according to the price bracket in which the product falls.
Rebate Brackets per Device:- For products with a price up to 200 euros, the rebate would be 70 euros.
- If the price is between 200.01 and 500 euros, the cashback rises to 100 euros.
- In the 500.01 to 700 euros bracket, the amount would be 120 euros.
- For products that exceed 700 euros, the compensation would reach 150 euros.
The strategy seems clear: first a tax is announced that worries the industry, and then a rebate is proposed to calm it.
Context and Objectives of the Initiative
This proposal arises after establishing a technology levy that will affect importers and local producers starting in 2026, with rates that can reach up to 50 euros per unit. Manufacturers argue that the cashback, inspired by the subsidy model that already works with the recycling fee, is necessary to keep Russian goods competitive in the domestic market and encourage more production. The measure seeks to balance the future tax burden with an immediate incentive to sell. ⚖️
Key Elements of the Context:- The new technology tax was signed on November 28.
- Manufacturers seek a direct incentive for the sale of national products.
- The model is inspired by existing industrial subsidies, such as those for the recycling fee.
Fiscal Balance and Industrial Perspective
The approach creates a fiscal dance where, in theory, everyone pays the new tax, but national manufacturers receive a check back for marketing their devices. This seeks to protect the local industry from a possible loss of competitiveness against imported products once the levy takes effect. The success of the proposal will depend on the Ministry's response and how the final financial flow is structured. 🏭