Lower VAT rate in Russia: Abrogate or apply

The article is devoted to a multilateral analysis of the VAT in Russia in the context of the problem of inequality based on RLMS and Rosstat data. The obtained estimates of elasticities of the VAT burden on the income, as well as the Kakwani and Musgrave indexes, show that the nature of VAT in Russia is generally more favorable than in OECD countries. In relation to income VAT is slightly regressive, but in relation to expenditures VAT cannot be recognized as regressive. The counterfactual analysis has shown that the lower 10% rate is a socially important element of the VAT and plays a noticeable leveling role. For the first time, microdata for Russia are used to assess the consequences of replacing the lower VAT rate with a direct targeted subsidy in the form of an additional child allowance. The results show that such a reform doesn’t solve the problem of inequality, since the poorest households get their little benefit not from the wealthiest, but rather from poor households of the 2nd—4th deciles.