Value added tax on prepayments from the perspective of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation
The subject of this research is the decisions of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation pertinent to methodological questions of computation of the value added tax, namely the peculiarities of taxation of prepayments towards upcoming delivery of goods (execution of work, rendering services). The author examines the provisions of the Ruling of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation of 11.08.2018 No. 2796-O, which formulates the legal position on the question of establishing tax period essential for the buyer to restore the tax that was previously deducted for the transferred prepayment. Research methodology relies on the systematic analysis of tax legislation and established arbitration practice. Leaning on the conducted analysis of the provisions of tax legislation and decision of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, it is determined that taxation depends on the economic activity of a taxpayer and is affected by multiple factors, which requires constant improvement of tax legislation. In conclusion, the author underlines the need for clarification of tax rules. The novelty of this work consist in proposal of the new algorithm for computation of the value added tax on prepayments, which would allow reducing efforts in maintaining tax records among taxpayers, as well as alleviate the risks for additional charge of tax and fines by fiscal authorities.