VAT taxation in the organization of high-speed passenger transportation as part of the implementation of the «River Highways» project.

Abstract

The implementation of the "River Highways" project has revealed a number of problematic issues regarding various aspects of VAT taxation in the organization of high-speed passenger transportation. A crucial issue in subsidizing high-speed socially significant passenger routes is the VAT taxation of subsidies. Currently, the rules for calculating the VAT tax base are not unified and are determined by the differentiated regime for providing budgetary funds to taxpayers and the types of subsidies for the financial coverage (reimbursement) of costs for high-speed transportation or for compensating lost income. The author has systematized the procedure for taxing subsidies and the possibility of VAT refunds, taking into account various subsidy conditions. Furthermore, the author's analysis of VAT taxation conditions for passenger transportation services by other modes of transport has shown that tax preferences make their tariffs more attractive to passengers, which negatively affects the competitiveness and development of passenger inland water transport, including high-speed transport. The author proposes introducing a tax benefit for the high-speed passenger fleet by amending Article 164 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation to establish a zero VAT rate for river passenger transportation on high-speed vessels. This will ensure a balanced social tariff, contribute to reducing state support, and provide an additional impetus for the development of high-speed river transportation.