416 Putin advisor warns Moscow may hit Google, Apple and Facebook with a ‘technology tax’ to level the playing field for Russian companies

30D1DAA500000578-0-image-a-9_1454446023600 (1)

Silicon Valley internet giants Google, Apple and Facebook may be hit by a significant Russian tax bill as the country moves to enable ‘more equal working conditions’ to level the playing field for domestic IT companies.

German Klimenko told Russian radio that foreign internet companies need to be equal ‘before the law’ and pay VAT, which amounts to 18 per cent.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an executive order to toughen up the rules for foreign internet companies last week.

And his advisor Klimenko has warned that social media websites would be blocked ‘sooner or later’ if they did not comply with legislation passed in August requiring companies storing Russian data to keep it on Russian soil.

I     Word Understanding

Significant- important

Playing field- a set of conditions for competition

Toughen- harden

Blocked- close

Comply- to act or be in accordance with wishes

II   Have your say

  1. What are the pros and cons for governments on taxing these things?

Internet

Water

Libraries

Income

Business Profits

Food

Liquors/Alcohol

Facebook

  1. How important is the Internet to you?
  2. What things should never be taxed?
  3. Would your online usage change if there was an Internet tax?

416 Putin advisor warns Moscow may hit Google, Apple and Facebook with a ‘technology tax’ to level the playing field for Russian companies