Author: Анна Сильнова
Practical experience in intercultural communication with German speaking countries
Daria Pogodina spoke at the HSE on the topic of “Practical experience in Intercultural Communication with German speaking countries”. The speaker shared real cases and practical observations from business interactions with partners from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The features of business etiquette, differences in approaches to communication and management were considered, and advice was given on how to build an effective dialogue in an intercultural environment. The talk aroused keen interest among students and teachers.
Autumn 2023 Topics: Practical Experience and Recommendations for Working in Changing Conditions
On November 30, the online seminar was held on the topic “Current topics of autumn 2023: practical experience and recommendations for working in changing conditions” where experts discussed with the audience the issues of suspension of the DTT, liability of companies for failure to maintain military records, company adaptation to sanctions and restrictions in IT, as well as the specifics of transfer pricing and trends in logistics.
The General Director of swilar Daria Pogodina spoke in more detail about the expansion of the list of offshore companies, the consequences and mitigations in the issue of suspension of the DTT.
Elena Balashova, Managing Partner of Balashova Legal Consultants, analyzed the current changes and judicial practice regarding the maintenance of military records.
Sergey Bezruchenok from ALP ITSM shared his experience in solving problems with the termination of support for Microsoft, VPN and Russian email addresses.
Head of the Controlling and Reporting Department of swilar Eugenia Chernova discussed in more detail how to prepare for work in the changed conditions of transfer pricing, and Managing Partner of Sterngoff Audit Olga Grigorieva gave a checklist of the main errors that auditors identified in accounting and tax accounting in the first half of 2023.
Commercial Director of Polar Logistics Solutions Anna Dashicheva spoke in detail about current trends in logistics using the example of the North-West. At the end of the meeting, the speakers discussed questions from the audience.
Follow the program of our events in the future and join in if the topic is relevant to you.
Organizers: swilar group of companies together with the audit company Sterngoff Audit, the law firm Balashova Legal Consultants, the IT company ALP ITSM and the logistics company Polar Logistics Solutions.
MTPP Workshop
PROGRAM
Implications for Transfer Pricing
Eugeniya Chernova
“Suspension of DTT and expansion of the list of offshore jurisdictions. Changes. Mitigation?
Comments. Consequences.”
Daria Pogodina
ABOUT THE SEMINAR
During her speech, Eugenia Chernova highlighted how changes in tax regulation and the international situation affected the practice of transfer pricing in Russian and transnational companies. Particular attention was paid to new documentation requirements, changes in approaches to comparability analysis and increased control by tax authorities. The report was accompanied by examples from practice and caused an active discussion.
Daria Pogodina, within the framework of the topic, analyzed the current changes in the regulation of transactions with foreign related parties, the expansion of the list of offshore jurisdictions and their impact on taxation and the corporate structure of business. Comments were given on current regulatory documents, as well as recommendations for reducing risks and adapting to new conditions. The report generated increased interest among specialists in the field of international taxation.
Expansion of the list of offshores. Softening. Comments. Consequences
Eugenia Chernova spoke on the topic “Expansion of the list of offshore jurisdictions. Mitigation. Comments. Consequences.” The speaker analyzed in detail the latest changes in the list of offshore jurisdictions, possible tax and legal consequences for Russian companies, as well as measures aimed at mitigating new restrictions. The report aroused the interest of participants working with foreign structures and international settlements.
Online seminar 10/24/23
On October 24, a checklist seminar was held entitled “Main tax changes, suspension of SUDAT, new FSBU, HR electronic document management. Convergence of HGB IFRS and RAS taking into account the new standards.” Tatyana Rolzing (Vorontsova), leading expert-consultant on taxation at ELKOD LLC and external consultant of Sterngoff Audit, discussed current issues of applying new FSBU: issues of applying FSBU 6/2020, FSBU 26/2020, as well as FSBU 25/2018 for rent and leasing and the transition to FSBU 14/2020 in 2023.
Olga Grigorieva, the General Director of Sterngoff Audit, highlighted the errors identified by auditors during the audit of the first half of 2023.
Evgenia Chernova, Head of Controlling Projects, swilar, gave a comparative analysis of the new FSBU 14 (intangible assets), IAS 38 and HGB.
Anastasia Zaitseva, Head of Labor Practice, Partner, Balashova Legal Consultants, highlighted the specifics of maintaining personnel electronic document management (KEDO).
Daria Pogodina, the General Director of swilar, focused on the issues of DTT: suspension, mitigation, comments, consequences.
Polina Kolmakova, external consultant, Sterngoff Audit, analyzed the main changes in the procedure for calculating and paying taxes in 2023-2024, based on the practice of application, taking into account the clarifications of financial departments and judicial practice.
Online Seminar Sterngoff Audit
PROGRAM
DIT. Suspension. Mitigation. Comments. Consequences.
Daria Pogodina
Accounting for intangible assets under FASB 14/2022, IAS 38 and HGB: differences and convergence
Eugenia Chernova
ABOUT THE SEMINAR
Daria Pogodina spoke at an online seminar organized by Sterngoff Audit with a report on “DIT. Suspension. Mitigation. Comments. Consequences”. As part of her speech, the speaker analyzed the current state of the system of restrictive measures in relation to transactions with foreign entities, explained the legal nuances and possible consequences for companies. The report aroused great interest, as it touched upon issues that are critical for international business.
Evgenia Chernova presented a report at the same seminar on “Accounting for intangible assets under FASB 14/2022, IAS 38 and HGB: differences and convergence”. The speaker compared approaches to accounting for intangible assets in the Russian, international and German systems, focusing on the differences in recognition, valuation and write-off. Participants received practical recommendations on unifying accounting and preparing reports in transnational structures.
Evgeniya Chernova spoke at a meeting of the Finance Committee with a report on the topic “Expansion of the list of offshore jurisdictions. Mitigation. Comments. Consequences.” As part of her speech, the speaker analyzed the latest changes in the list of offshore jurisdictions, explained approaches to applying the new rules, and discussed potential tax and legal consequences for Russian companies. Particular attention was paid to possible measures to reduce risks and adapt business practices to the changed conditions.
General introduction to local specifics: taxes, visa regulations, legal aspects
Daria Pogodina spoke at an online seminar on the specifics of doing business in Kazakhstan. As part of the topic “General introduction to local specifics: taxes, visa rules, legal aspects”, the speaker gave an overview of the key requirements and regulatory conditions that foreign companies face. Participants received a basic understanding of the tax system, visa registration and legal environment of the country.
Online seminar 09.08.2023 — FAQ OF FOREIGN SUBSIDIARIES IN RUSSIA
Daria Pogodina participated in an online seminar and spoke in detail about the possibilities of transferring Russian subsidiaries with foreign participation to the so-called “sleep mode”, as well as about liquidation procedures in the current legal environment. Restrictions, approvals with the government commission and practical steps that are be considered when making corporate decisions were reviewed. The seminar aroused keen interest among companies considering restructuring or curtailing operations in Russia.
New in migration legislation: changes for highly qualified specialists
On July 10, 2023, Federal Law No. 316-FZ was adopted, introducing a number of significant changes regarding the legal status of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as “Law No. 316-FZ”).
This law entered into force on July 10, 2023, but provides for separate, later deadlines for the entry into force of a number of provisions (more details below).
According to the new rules, family members of highly qualified specialists (hereinafter referred to as “HQS”) will be required to undergo a medical examination again within 30 calendar days from the date of the decision to extend the validity of the HQS work permit or from the date of entry into the Russian Federation (if they were outside the Russian Federation on the day of such a decision). Previously, family members of HQS were required to undergo a medical examination annually.
In addition, after 180 days from the official publication of Law No. 316-FZ, the following changes will come into force:
The obligation to obtain a work permit within 30 calendar days from the date of the decision to issue (extend) it is introduced.
In the presence of documented valid reasons and a written application from the employer, a work permit may be obtained at a later date, but not exceeding 30 calendar days. After the expiration of the established period, a work permit is not issued, and the decision to issue (extend) it is canceled.
In the event of early termination of an employment or civil law contract, the HQS, as before, has the right to search for another employer or customer of work within 30 working days.
If a new contract has not been concluded upon expiration of this period, the HQS and his family members will be required to leave the Russian Federation within 30 calendar days, and their visas and residence permits (if any) will be considered cancelled.
Before the said changes come into force, HQS and their family members will be given 30 working days to leave.
A HQS who has worked in this capacity in the Russian Federation for at least two years and his family members who have a residence permit will be issued an indefinite residence permit if the following conditions are met:
The HQS and family members reside in the Russian Federation with a residence permit;
during the period of the HQS’s employment, the employer calculated, withheld and transferred taxes to the budget system of the Russian Federation.
It is envisaged to issue a work permit for highly qualified specialists to carry out labor activities in two or more constituent entities of the Russian Federation if the following conditions are met:
work in other constituent entities is provided for by the provisions of an employment or civil law contract for the performance of work (provision of services);
a foreign citizen carries out labor activities in separate divisions of an organization, branches or representative offices of a legal entity or with related parties located in these constituent entities.
A ban on the employer to attract foreign highly qualified specialists to labor activities in the Russian Federation for two years in the event of failure to provide the tax authorities with information on the amounts of personal income tax calculated and withheld by the tax agent in relation to highly qualified specialists after 6 months, as well as if the information provided turned out to be fake or counterfeit.
In addition, from 01.03.2024, the level of wages (remuneration) of highly qualified specialists will increase to 750 thousand rubles per quarter. Before the changes were introduced, the threshold was 2 million rubles/year.
At the same time, Law No. 316-FZ does not cancel the previous reduced wages required to attract highly qualified specialists who are medical, teaching staff, participants in the implementation of the Skolkovo project, and employees of resident companies of special economic zones.
We are closely monitoring the development of the situation and innovations in legislation and will be happy to answer any questions you may have!