What changes await the Russians in May?

Mortgages will become more expensive, it will become more profitable to accept payments through the Fast Payment System, and only postmen will deliver pensions.

Pensions will be delivered only by postmen

From May 1, 2023, the Russian Post will become the only organization that will deliver pensions and other social benefits to homes in cash. Previously, it was also possible to receive a pension in cash through third-party delivery organizations. Now you can receive pensions and social benefits in cash only at the Russian Post cash desks or from the hands of an employee who comes to the tenant’s address. Nothing will change if you received a pension on a bank card or account. Beneficiaries who received social support through delivery companies will be transferred to service in the federal postal service without prior applications. This also applies to compensation for housing and communal services, communication services and monthly cash payments (UDV) to veterans, the disabled and other categories of citizens. If desired, social payments can be transferred to a non-cash form – the money will come to the Mir card. To do this, you will need to write an application to the local social security authority.

Mortgages will become more expensive

From May 1, 2023, the Central Bank of Russia will increase the premiums on risk ratios for mortgage loans issued for the purchase of housing in new buildings under equity participation agreements. This will ensure that banks accumulate a capital buffer to cover the risks associated with the difference in prices in the primary and secondary housing markets. According to experts, after the introduction of this measure, insolvent borrowers will either not be able to get a mortgage, or they will be able to take it at a higher interest rate.

Accepting payments through the Fast Payment System will become more profitable

From May 1, the Central Bank of the Russian Federation will halve (from 0.4% to 0.2%) the maximum bank commission for companies providing housing and communal services (HCS) and accepting payments through the Fast Payment System (FPS). Thus, it will become more profitable for utility companies to accept payments through the SBP. For Russians, payment for any goods and services through the SBP remains free.

Schools will ban the removal of hot meals for children from the menu

From May 1, school food providers will be required to coordinate menus with educational institutions for each age group of children. In addition, it will be forbidden to remove hot meals from the menu.

The genomic information of all criminals will be stored

From May 4, amendments to the Federal Law “On State Genomic Registration in the Russian Federation” come into force, according to which all persons who have committed a crime or have been placed under administrative arrest will be required to submit biomaterial for registration. Previously, government agencies kept the genomic information only of those people who committed serious or especially serious crimes, or crimes against sexual integrity and sexual freedom of the individual.

Soft drink labeling

On May 15, an experiment on the labeling of soft drinks will begin. Ordinary bottled water, mineral water, sweet drinks, kvass, fruit drink, compote, vegetable and fruit juices will fall under it. According to parliamentarians, labeling will reduce the number of counterfeit products and increase tax revenues to the budget. The experiment will last until February 1, 2024. Producers, importers and sellers of non-alcoholic products participate in it voluntarily. Based on the results of the experiment, a decision will be made on the advisability of introducing mandatory labeling of soft drinks.

Banks will learn faster about the death of their customers from the Federal Tax Service

From May 18, amendments to Article 102 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation will come into force, expanding the scope of information that is a tax secret. From this day on, it will include information on deregistration of individuals due to death. After the tax authorities receive the relevant information online from the registry office, they will remove the deceased from the tax register and electronically transfer information about the accounts (deposits) of this individual to banks. After that, banks will be required to stop or prohibit any transactions with money on the cards, accounts and deposits of the deceased person. According to experts, these amendments should reduce the risk of illegal actions with the funds of deceased bank customers.

Prepared by Sergey Ishkov.

Photo by Kirill Zykov / Moskva Agency