The State Duma wants to introduce a tax on childlessness: give birth or pay 6% of salary

Deputies believe that a tax on childlessness, as in the USSR, will force Russians to have children.

Photo: Svetlana MAKOVEEVA

YOU LIKE THE USSR

…The issue is not another ban or tax that they want to impose on us. The point is different. The fact is that many Russians who tried to live “outside politics” were suddenly surprised to find that same politics in their own bedroom.

That is why this wave of negativity was caused by the recent desire of our authorities to limit abortions. Here the deputies should conclude that the people are not yet ready for such strict government regulation of personal life. And hold on for a bit. But appetite comes with food. And now another deputy is once again thinking about a tax on childlessness.

“The tax on childlessness, as it was in the Soviet Union, was not bad, but in the concept that existed in the Soviet Union,” said State Duma deputy Yevgeny Fedorov on the radio station “Moscow Speaks “. – It is necessary to stimulate the birth of children, including through maternal capital. Is it necessary to introduce a tax for this? If there is not enough money for these projects, it will be necessary. If you have enough money without this, don’t do it.

By the way, pay attention to how diligently the rule now fashionable among civil servants is followed: “Repeat the phrase “Like in the Soviet Union” more often and people will be attracted to you.”

What was the situation like in the Soviet Union? Let’s remember.

THERE ARE CHILDREN, BUT THERE IS NO HAPPINESS

The childlessness tax (officially “tax on singles, single citizens and small families”) existed in the USSR from 1941 to the 1990s. According to the law, childless men between the ages of 20 and 50 and women Married women between 20 and 45 years old had to donate 6% of their salary to the State.

Additions were made to this rule from time to time. For example, in 1949 the tax was increased for rural residents (because it is not good for a haystack to remain idle). There were also concessions. For example, monks were exempt from the tax, as were people who could not have children for health reasons. And in the 80s, newlyweds were exempt from the tax for a year. That is to say, the young people were given three months for everything, for everything.

Do we need that tax now? Will we happily rush to be fruitful and multiply so that we can save on taxes and deputies can happily report on the implementation of the national project “Demography”?

– The idea is not new. But it is necessary to stimulate births not through punitive measures, but by motivating young families. I believe that a child should be born desired and loved. And not because if another little person appears in the family, then someone will save on taxes,” Alexander Zaremba, executive director of the Russian public organization “Parents Union,” commented on this outdated initiative on KP radio. “I fear that the children who will appear to people who try to evade these taxes in this way will not be born happy and wrapped in love.”

Interestingly, not everyone in the State Duma supports such a “measure to increase the birth rate.” For example, two weeks ago, the chairman of the State Duma Committee on Family Protection, Paternity, Motherhood and Childhood Issues, Nina Ostanina, spoke out against the introduction of such a tax.

It is good that these issues are not adopted unanimously in our State Duma.