To the question of optimization of taxation in the modern economy of Russia

Tax issues remain relevant at various stages of economic systems development. Conduct of fiscal policy by the government aimed at replenishing the budget on the one hand, and tax optimisation undertaken by the business sector on the other hand, demonstrate the diverging interests of economic system subjects. During the period of the market relations formation the Russian tax system has undergone significant changes, the general flow of which can be described as a transfer of tax burden to the commodity sector while decreasing it in other economic spheres. For the Russian tax system has certain conceptual shortcomings, which include: insufficient use of fiscal mechanisms for promoting investment, innovation and entrepreneurial activity, expansion and renovation of fixed assets, as well as tax evasion loopholes. Along with this, it should be considered that the absolute level of tax burden in the Russian economy as a whole, is only a nominal illustration of the tax burden on the real sector of the economy. Unfortunately the theoretical base, allowing to develop a balanced tax burden on the real sector of the economy, is not free from shortcomings either. For example, the concept of "tax optimisation" is not always interpreted correctly, often identifying with tax evasion. In turn, the term "tax planning" is often replaced by "tax optimisation" which is not quite accurate, as planning is only organisation and preparatory stages of a process, whereas optimisation is purposeful actions aimed to cut down tax payments. In this case, tax planning should be viewed as a preparation for tax payments, an activity to manage tax payments, whereas tax optimisation should be viewed as part of tax planning with the emphasis on reducing tax liabilities. For business entities effective tax optimisation is just as important as production or marketing strategy, not only because of potential cost savings due to payments into the budget, but because of the overall security of both company and its officials involved. One of the goals for companies and individual entrepreneurs is development of optimal solutions in production and business activities, allowing to carry out legal transactions with minimum tax losses. Therefore, the government's stated objective should be development of a taxation policy for the amount of tax revenues to be sufficient to accomplish all of the tasks on the reproduction of public goods, while the tax burden should not be too excessive leading to suppression of economic activity and activity of a taxpayer. From the government's standpoint, in recent times the fundamental issue with implementing a fiscal function is still the high share of shadow sector of economy and, as a consequence, a significant amount of the shortfall in tax revenue. This article aims at examining the fundamental factors which enable to reconcile contradictions in the interests of the government and tax payers, to be used as tools to increase investment attractiveness of the country.

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