On the fall of payments for utility services after the introduction of the regime of self-isolation, the Ministry of construction has formulated its proposals to support the industry. Among them concessions on payment of taxes, simplified the procurement of materials, as well as preferential interest-free loans organizations utilities, included into the list of strategic enterprises. Measures are still being discussed with other departments, industry, the community proposal of the Ministry support, but are reminded of the need to strengthen payment discipline.The Ministry of construction has prepared a preliminary list of measures to support housing — as noted in the letter to Deputy Minister Maxim Egorov (the paper first appeared in social networks, the Ministry of construction “Kommersant” confirmed the development of a package of measures), it is formed taking into account proposals of the professional community, as well as regions. We will note, now in connection with the regime of isolation and the introduction to the end of the year of the ban on the accrual of penalties for non-payment or late payments for utilities reduced their collection rates — according to estimates of the Ministry of construction, among the population by 30%, and among organizations at 45-50%.As explained in the Ministry of construction, given the increased burden on enterprises engaged in uninterrupted life support of the population and business, it is necessary to provide additional support to the resource-supplying organizations (RSO). Thus, it is proposed to increase the allowance for doubtful debts included in the determination of tax base on profit, with 10% to 20% of the revenue of the organization. According to the Agency, this increase “is correlated with the projected growth in overdue debt for energy resources and water by 10% of the revenue of the organization.” To use increased allowance for doubtful debts, on the idea of the Ministry, organizations will be able to the end of 2021, as “the subsequent recovery of the debt will be long-term”. It is also proposed to extend the period of payment of environmental charges and taxes from April 10 to 31 Dec and enter until the end of the year a moratorium for organizations housing penalties for taxes and insurance contributions (including payments by the end of 2019).The second direction was to simplify procurement. To prepare for the autumn-winter period 2020-2021 years, the Ministry proposes to allow companies to buy materials for repairs without competition — in particular, from the same suppliers as in 2018-2019. The Ministry insisted on the inclusion of housing among the most affected sectors and providing it organizations with preferential interest-free loans for financing of investment programs — this measure is focused on “systemically important” companies and their “daughters”.The Finance Ministry told “Kommersant” that he had received the proposal of the Ministry, but to comment on them. The Association of guaranteeing suppliers and energy retail companies believe that “the announced setCEN contains many useful measures is a very hot topic with the expansion of allowance for doubtful debts, given the negative growth of the receivables”. The Association “Council of power producers” (EITs) also support the proposed measures, however, point out the need to strengthen payment discipline — the Association has repeatedly sent these proposals, including the abolition of the ban or at least restrictions of the moratorium on penalties for non-payment. Today, the defaults are the main risk factor for RSO: the level of payment for electricity decreased by 12% and heat by 20% of charges (compared with the same period last year), while in EIT countries expect deterioration of tax collection in may—June due to the delayed effect of lower income from small businesses and households.Evgenia Kryuchkova Polina Smertin, Tatyana Grishina
