PRIORITY OF TAX PAYMENTS
After an official protest of the Ministry of Finance, the Supreme Court has suspended its decision of 10 December 1996, in which it ruled that the joint letter of the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank and the State Tax Service of 22 August 1996 is unconstitutional and does not have legal force. According to this August letter, outstanding tax payments have a sole priority over other liabilities such as wages, notwithstanding the provision in the Civil Code that tax payments have only a third priority. This means that the August letter will not be repealed until a final decision is taken by the Supreme Court.
Letter of the Supreme Court of 26 December 1996 No. GKP196-325-339
RUSSIA-BELARUS DOUBLE TAX TREATY
Russia has ratified the double tax treaty with Belarus, which was signed on 21 April 1995. Subject to ratification by Belarus, it is expected that the treaty will enter into force at 1 January 1998.
Federal Law of 10 January 1997 No. 14-FZ
BARTER AGREEMENTS
A "barter passport" is not required for goods exported under international barter agreements concluded before 1 November 1996 if the actual export takes place before 1 March 1997. Presidential Decree No. 1209 of 18 August 1996 entered into force a regime for documenting international barter agreements (effective 1 November 1996) similar to the import passport regime to ascertain that the value of goods exported is in line with the value of the goods received in return.
Letter of the State Customs Committee of 27 December 1996 No. 01-15/23222
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