PRESS: Russia may start taxing foreign gaming platforms

MOSCOW, Feb 16 (PRIME) -- Russia may introduce a tax on Steam, PlayStation Store, Epic Games Store, and other foreign gaming platforms to support patriotic projects, business daily Kommersant reported on Wednesday, quoting sources at the Digital Development Ministry and the government.

“The government is considering an option when a fund of support of patriotic video games will be replenished with an additional tax on foreign floors of distribution, including Steam, PlayStation Store, Epic Games Store, and others. They may be obliged to give to the budget 5% of their turnover in Russia, and, by officials’ calculations, it will provide the fund with 10 billion rubles a year,” the daily said.

A report with suggestions to set up the fund has been already submitted to the government, sources at the Digital Development Ministry said. The measure would hardly become a significant load for the companies, but the collected money may be spent on gaming projects with political solicitation.

The authorities are also preparing other initiatives to stimulate the national gaming market, including beneficial taxation for national developers, the daily said.

(76.1660 rubles – U.S. $1)

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