<h1>Value-added tax increase expands the taxpayer base and raises revenue, intensifying price pressures and burdening small businesses.</h1> The fiscal package raises the standard value-added tax rate to 22% and lowers the VAT registration threshold to 10 million rubles, extending VAT collection obligations to many small businesses. Additional measures increase excise duties on alcohol, tobacco and vaping products, raise administrative fees, eliminate an import tax concession for cars, and contemplate a digital device levy. The measures are presented to boost domestic revenue, reduce reliance on increased borrowing amid constrained external financing, and address a widening budget deficit driven by slower growth and lower oil receipts.