January Updates: New Russian Laws and Regulations for 2025
Control Over Popular Bloggers
Starting January 1, owners of social media channels and public pages with more than 10,000 subscribers who have not submitted their information to Roskomnadzor for inclusion in a special registry will be prohibited from placing advertisements on their pages. This is mandated by Law No. 303-FZ dated August 8, 2024. Roskomnadzor clarified that this requirement applies to both individual bloggers and legal entities, including companies and media outlets. If a business or media outlet has a popular social media page, it must submit information about its administrator to Roskomnadzor. Any change in the person responsible for the page must also be reported. These requirements apply regardless of the page’s content or the business’s field.
Additionally, social networks will be required to block pages within 24 hours if their owners have not submitted the necessary information to the registry.
Stricter SIM Card Sales Rules for Foreigners
The same Law No. 303-FZ introduces new rules for foreigners purchasing SIM cards starting January 1. Foreign nationals will be allowed to register no more than 10 phone numbers, including corporate numbers. Contracts can only be signed in person at a mobile service store, requiring a Russian social security number (SNILS), a government services portal account, and biometric identity verification registered in the Unified Biometric System (EBS). The contract will also include the device’s unique 15-digit IMEI number.
Simplified Taxpayer Complaint Process
From January 1, taxpayers will be able to file complaints with tax authorities through a simplified process, reducing review times. The “simple complaint” procedure offers an additional pre-trial protection step, allowing tax authorities to correct violations themselves. Complaints for simplified review can only be submitted via telecommunication channels or through the taxpayer’s personal online account. The review period is seven business days. If the complaint is not fully satisfied, it will be forwarded to a higher tax authority for standard review within 15 days.
Genomic Registration for Detainees
Individuals detained for administrative offenses will be required to provide their genetic data, aiming to improve offender identification and public safety. These provisions of Federal Law No. 8-FZ take effect January 1. If a person is detained and sentenced to administrative arrest, their genetic information will be entered into a special database. This process will be managed by law enforcement and correctional facility staff. If the administrative penalty is overturned, citizens can request the deletion of their genomic data at a police station.
Taxation of Digital Currency Transactions
Information about digital currency transactions must be declared if the annual total of credits or debits exceeds 600,000 rubles. Failure to submit a declaration will result in fines, as stipulated by Law No. 418-FZ dated November 29, 2024, effective January 1. Digital currency obtained through mining will be counted as income at its market value on the date it is credited to the miner’s e-wallet. Subsequent transactions will be taxed as regular property income or expenses. Digital currency transactions will not be subject to VAT. Mining infrastructure operators who fail to report required information to tax authorities on time will face a 40,000 ruble fine.
Integration of the Digital Ruble into the Tax System
The Russian Tax Code will introduce the concept of a “digital ruble account.” Tax authorities will have the right to suspend operations on digital ruble accounts opened on the relevant platform. This rule also takes effect January 1.
National Russian Language Dictionary Fund
Russia will establish a National Dictionary Fund, a unified digital resource compiling data from Russian language dictionaries created over the past 300 years. This law takes effect January 1. The free, publicly accessible system will allow users to check spelling, stress, synonyms, and idioms. The Ministry of Science and Higher Education will operate the fund.
Advance Information on In-Demand Jobs
The unified digital platform “Work of Russia” will launch a directory of professions, providing information on in-demand and emerging specialties in the labor market. This is mandated by Law No. 565-FZ dated December 12, 2023, effective January 1.
Mandatory Star Ratings for Campgrounds and Beaches
Russia will introduce mandatory classification for all tourist accommodations, including glamping sites and campgrounds. Star ratings will also be assigned to ski slopes and beaches. These rules take effect January 1. A unified registry of classified tourist sites will be created, covering hotels, campgrounds, beaches, and ski slopes. Unclassified sites will be prohibited from offering services or advertising on aggregator platforms.
State Management System for Hunting
Russia will create a state information system for managing hunting and preserving wildlife resources, effective January 1. The new system will provide information on issued and revoked permits for acclimatization, relocation, or hybridization of wildlife, as well as permits for keeping and breeding wildlife in semi-wild or artificial environments. The resource will interact with digital systems of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Federal Tax Service, Rosprirodnadzor, FADN, Roskadastre, and regional hunting management agencies.
Electronic Exchange of Insurance Documents
For compulsory auto insurance (OSAGO), it will be possible to exchange documents and information with insurers electronically via their website or mobile app. This is provided by Law No. 327-FZ dated July 14, 2022, effective January 1.
Ban on IT Security Services from “Unfriendly” Countries for State Agencies
In June, President Vladimir Putin expanded a decree on information security measures. Starting January 1, 2025, government agencies and strategic organizations will be banned from using IT security services provided by “unfriendly” countries. Previously, the ban applied to information security systems from such countries and their companies, also effective from 2025. These systems include software and devices protecting against cyberattacks, hacking, and data leaks.
Simplified Introduction of Digital Innovations for Business
The process for implementing experimental legal regimes (ELR) in digital innovation for businesses will be simplified. Law No. 169-FZ dated July 8, 2024, takes effect January 5. The minimum period for reviewing and establishing ELRs will be reduced from 90 to 50 business days, and the government’s review period for ELR proposals will be shortened from 30 to 20 business days. The government must submit an annual report on ELR activities to the State Duma and Federation Council by May 1 each year.