What happened
State secretary and deputy finance minister Alexey Sazanov told reporters that the ministry has not seen proposals for a moratorium on zeroing damper payments when exchange prices for fuel exceed indicative prices, Interfax reported on 30 October 2026. "We have many questions under discussion now, but we have not seen such proposals," he said.
A day earlier, TASS reported that the ministry does not support changes to oil and gas sector taxation, with Sazanov noting that the tax burden in the oil industry already exceeds 60%.
The damper is a budget mechanism that adjusts payments to refiners when domestic fuel prices diverge from indicative export-linked prices. The statements concern whether that mechanism, and the sector tax regime around it, will be altered.
- Interfax, 30 October 2026: no discussion of a moratorium on zeroing damper payments
- TASS, 29 October 2026: ministry does not support oil and gas taxation changes
- Sazanov: tax burden on the oil industry already exceeds 60%
What it means for foreign investors
For investors with exposure to refining, fuel retail or upstream projects, the signal is continuity of the existing fiscal design rather than a new one. Neither report indicates a change in the damper mechanism or in sector taxation, and the ministry's stated position is that the current burden is already high.
That matters because the damper and sector-specific levies sit alongside the general corporate profit tax of 25% (Federal Tax Service, 2025) but are calculated on different bases. The practical burden for a given project therefore depends on its profile, and the 60% figure cited by Sazanov refers to the oil industry as a whole, not to any single investor.
The statements are official positions expressed to reporters, not adopted legal text. No draft law, decree or effective date was cited in either report.
- No announced change to the damper mechanism
- Sector taxation described as already high, above 60%
- General profit tax stands at 25% (Federal Tax Service, 2025), calculated separately from sector levies
What to check next
Watch whether the ministry's position is followed by published draft legislation, since only adopted texts change obligations. Check the wording of any proposal on indicative prices and damper settlements, and confirm which fuels and which participants would be covered.
Because rates, thresholds and calculation formulas in this area change and are project-specific, they must be verified with a qualified tax adviser against the current version of the tax code before any modelling. Independent legal and compliance advice is also appropriate for any structure involving refining or export-linked pricing.
This is general information, not investment or legal advice.
- Published draft laws or decrees, not press statements
- Scope: fuels, participants and indicative price definitions
- Current tax code text and adviser confirmation of applicable rates
FAQ
Did the Finance Ministry announce a change to the damper?
No. According to Interfax on 30 October 2026, the ministry is not discussing a moratorium on zeroing damper payments and has not seen such proposals.
What tax burden figure was cited?
Deputy Finance Minister Alexey Sazanov said the tax burden in the oil industry already exceeds 60%, TASS reported on 29 October 2026. This refers to the industry overall, not to an individual project.
Does this fix the tax rules for my project?
No. These are statements of position, not adopted legal text. Applicable rates and formulas change and should be confirmed with a tax adviser using the current legislation.
Sources
Information on this website is not an offer or an individual investment recommendation. Investing involves risk, including the loss of all invested capital. Investing via investment platforms is high-risk and may result in the loss of the entire investment. Figures are sourced from third parties and dated. Investors must comply with the laws of their jurisdiction.