Petunin noted that the problem of rising food prices was recently raised by Russian President Vladimir Putin, as a result of which the government took measures aimed at stabilizing the situation.
However, one way or another, as emphasized in the appeal, the purchase of food products accounts for a significant share of the expenses of the most vulnerable categories of citizens - pensioners, as well as low-income citizens whose income does not exceed the subsistence level.
“The exemption of these citizens from paying VAT for purchased food products could reduce the amount of these expenses,” the text of the appeal says.
According to Petunin, this can be achieved by automatically returning it when making a payment using a bank card, while setting a monthly limit for VAT refunds to avoid abuse.
“In this regard, I ask you to evaluate the feasibility of creating such a VAT refund system by 10-20%, which would allow the most vulnerable categories of society - pensioners and the poor - to reduce their spending on food products,” the appeal underlines.
Currently, food products are subject to VAT at rates of 10 and 20%.
Earlier, the Russian government prepared a bill on the right of the Cabinet of Ministers to introduce price regulation for socially significant products and will submit it to the State Duma.