Local authorities of the Vitebsk region have been tasked with saving resources and optimizing budget expenditures
This was discussed during a recent meeting of the presidium of the regional Council of Deputies, where the work of the regions in attracting revenues and increasing the efficiency of budget spending was analyzed. As reported by Gennady Grebnev, Head of the main financial department of the regional executive committee, the annual plan for the receipt of own revenues of the regional budget, as of November 1, was fulfilled by 77% (almost 1 billion rubles); according to this indicator, the Vitebsk region is among the lagging ones in the country.
At the same time, the efficiency and quality of budget revenues directly depend on the performance of the real sector of the economy and the timely fulfillment of tax obligations.
This is the area of responsibility of local authorities. For example, if the debt on payments to the budget is eliminated, enterprises are ensured to operate profitably (including launching organizations that are registered but not operating), and the wage level is increased, then an additional income of about 50 million rubles per year can be obtained, noted Valery Lobatsevich, Head of the Ministry of Taxes and Duties Inspectorate for the Vitebsk Region.
To maintain budget stability, strengthening the treasury's own revenue base is of paramount importance. And here it is necessary to work in several directions.
Increase the resource base
According to Gennady Grebnev, one of the main parameters for the region's development is wage growth based on the leading increase in labor productivity. Vitebsk region is not meeting the projected indicators in this regard. Furthermore, the creation of new enterprises and jobs remains a pressing issue. There are regions where the annual target has already been met. However, it is important not only to register a business entity and recruit staff but also to ensure its effective operation.
– In this aspect, I draw attention to the package of documents aimed at improving the business climate and increasing business activity in the country, the key of which is Decree No. 7, which fundamentally changes the mechanism of interaction between government bodies and business, – noted Gennady Ivanovich. – It is aimed at mobilizing internal resources for economic growth and maximizing the involvement of the able-bodied population in economic activities. In order not to miss the opportunities provided, I propose that the chairpersons of local Councils act as coordinators in explaining and popularizing the norms of these documents.
The chairpersons of local Councils of Deputies should act as coordinators in explaining and popularizing Decree No. 7 "On the Development of Entrepreneurship" and regulatory acts aimed at improving the business climate and increasing business activity in the country.
Local authorities also need to improve the quality of organizing work to attract non-tax revenues, in particular, by better collecting rent for communal property, including fishing and hunting grounds. The annual target for selling land for housing has been met by only 26%, with not a single plot sold in several districts. Gennady Grebnev demanded that activities in this area be brought to a qualitatively new level, not just by announcing auctions, but by promoting information about the attractive opportunities of the territories using available marketing tools.
INCREASE FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE
As reported by Valery Lobatsevich, in the measures for budget consolidation, it is equally important to focus on solving the problems of loss-making enterprises and eliminating their tax arrears.
Only taxpayers from Lepel and Dubroven districts did not have arrears in personal income tax.
According to the Ministry of Taxes and Duties, about 900 economic entities operated with a negative financial result. Considering that a decrease in profit and unprofitability are not always objective, tax authorities are working with each taxpayer who has reduced tax payments.
As a result of control measures, profit was identified or the amount of losses was reduced for every third such organization, with a total of about 200 thousand rubles in additional taxes charged since the beginning of the year.
At the same time, it is not uncommon for losses to be declared in small amounts, which indicates an unwillingness to pay taxes or a low competence of accounting services that do not use legislative opportunities to eliminate a negative financial result.
About a third of the local budget revenues are formed by personal income tax. At the same time, a quarter of taxpayers reduced payments from this revenue source, and more than 80 enterprises owe the treasury 2.7 million rubles. As a result, by the end of the year, the budget may be short of more than 40 million rubles in personal income tax.
The main reason for the decrease in its receipts is the absence of declared salary growth. Moreover, this year tax authorities identified about 500 organizations that carried out activities but did not accrue salaries to employees. Such entities should be under preventive supervision of local authorities, believes Valery Lobatsevich.
Small and medium-sized businesses play a significant role in budget formation. Today, almost 30 thousand such entities are registered in the Vitebsk region. Compared to last year, their number decreased by about 1.4 thousand, and the volume of budget revenues amounted to 20 million rubles and decreased by 1.4 times, with the decrease occurring in 12 districts, including in the most significant amounts – from taxpayers in Orsha district and Novopolotsk.
– If it were possible to restore the "lost" 1.4 thousand business entities, the issues with local budgets would not be so acute, as it is this category that makes almost all payments to the local treasury, – emphasized Valery Lobatsevich.
In the current conditions, state resources must be spent rationally, with maximum efficiency within the planned appropriations. To successfully complete the financial year, it is necessary to balance local budgets in terms of revenues and expenditures, and for all participants in the budget process to treat resources responsibly and observe strict financial discipline.
"Vitebskiye Vesti". Photo from the newspaper's archive.