New requirements to localise personal data Pepeliaev Group reminds readers that new requirements for the Russian nationals' personal data to be kept in electronic form in Russia are introduced as early as in one month.

Changes in the procedure for registration of real estate Pepeliaev Group advises that by 2017 a unified system for keeping records of real estate should be created in Russia

Purchasing state and municipal property Pepeliaev Group advises that on 30 June 2015 a federal law took effect, which has changed the period for purchasing real estate which belongs to constituent entities of the Russian Federation or is in municipal ownership. 

New regulation of factoring transactions under foreign trade contracts Pepeliaev Group advises that a Federal Law has been enacted, enabling Russian banks and factoring companies to offer Russian clients financing services involving the assignment of receivables (factoring) under foreign trade contracts.

VAT charged when non-payment under a contract is insured: the position of the russian constitutional court Pepeliaev Group advises that Russian Constitutional Court has held that article 162 of the Russian Tax Code, which in fact establishes double VAT on insurance payouts that a supplier of goods (work, services) receives under a contract insuring default by the buyer, was inconsistent with Russian Constitution.

Changes to the procedure for persons to be acknowledged to be qualified investors

Interest on a monetary obligation (Article 317.1 of the Russian Civil Code) Pepeliaev Group advises that starting from 1 June 2015 article 317.1 of the Civil Code regarding interest on a monetary obligation has come into effect 

Joining the federal radio and electronics industry agreement for 2015-2017 At the federal level, the industry agreement has been adopted which sets additional obligations and automatically extends to companies in radio and electronics industry in Russia. To refuse to join the agreement, a well-grounded refusal should be submitted to the Russian Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (the 'Ministry of Labour') by 1 July 2015

Offshore amnesty and tax repatriation in action Pepeliaev Group advises that decisions have been taken which were needed for the law on 'tax repatriation' (in effect from 2015) to take full force:
1) the procedure and the time frames have been set for the 'offshore amnesty';
2) clarifying amendments have been made to the law on 'tax repatriation';
3) a form of a notice of a participation interest in foreign entities has been approved. In respect of
an existing participation interest, such notice was to be filed by 15 June 2015.

Joining the federal agricultural industry agreement for 2015 -2017 At federal level, the industry agreement has been adopted which sets additional obligations and automatically extends to companies in Russia's agricultural industry. To refuse to join the agreement, a well-grounded refusal should be submitted to the Russian Ministry of Labour and Social Protection by 15 May 2015.

New in the rules for state registration of legal entities and liability for violating these rules Pepeliaev Group advises that a Federal Law1 (the 'Law') has been officially published, whose adoption is aimed at preventing legal entities from being established and operated to act in bad faith (by using dummy corporate officers, providing other inaccurate information to the registration authority, etc.). The Law also aims to prevent abuse of the state registration procedure.

New rules approved for determining the price of a land plot sold out of Federal ownership without an auction Pepeliaev Group advises that on 26 March 2015, the Government's Resolution No. 279 was adopted "On Approving the Rules for Determining the Price of a Land Plot in Federal Ownership when a Contract to Sell and Purchase the Land Plot is Made without an Auction being Held" (the "Rules").