London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

‘Inconsistent with expert data’: Russia’s tax service challenges ‘secretive’ World Bank Doing Business rating

‘Inconsistent with expert data’: Russia’s tax service challenges ‘secretive’ World Bank Doing Business rating

Russia's Federal Tax Service (FNS) has questioned data used by the World Bank in its assessment of the country for its Doing Business index, stating that the Bank’s data is very inconsistent with findings of independent experts.
The recently released rating placed Russia into 28th place among 190 countries. The country has improved its results compared to the previous year – when it came in 31st – but the new rating has raised a few questions at Russia’s tax service.

The FNS questioned accuracy of data used by the index’s creators – at least, in its fiscal part – stating that the World Bank’s figures are very different from the findings of independent experts.

“The rating’s findings are very inconsistent with the data from independent experts, as well as with the surveys, conducted by the Russian businesses,” FNS told RIA Novosti.

For instance, the place of a country within the index is affected by the average time required for a business to file their tax reports. According to the World Bank data, it will take some 159 hours to do so in Russia next year, yet the FNS cited significantly lower figures. According to 1C Company – Russia’s leading provider of automated accounting software – it takes their clients 32 hours on average to file tax returns.

The FNS' own data – collected in accordance with the World Bank’s standards – shows even shorter times, merely 10 hours a year for a business to file a tax report.

Apart from that, the World Bank’s assessment did not take into account Russia’s efforts to facilitate the tax report filing process, as well as digitalization of registering businesses. Over 50 percent of new companies in the country are getting registered online, the FNS said.

Such inconsistencies “prompt questions about the raw data from the respondents,” the FNS stressed, adding that it had reached out to the World Bank for explanations, but received no answer so far.

The exact source of the World Bank’s data also remains a mystery. It used data from 228 respondents – including from 22 on taxes – to create the index, yet the sources have been kept anonymous. While the majority of respondents are believed to be major consulting companies, lack of any data on the index sources hampers the potential efforts on further improving the taxation system, the FNS explained.

“The FNS has very positive experience in working with the World Bank and is well aware that its specialists have in-depth expertise and knowledge of the world's best practices. Yet, we regret the lack of meaningful professional dialogue and the secretiveness of the Doing Business team's representatives regarding the taxation,” the tax administration said.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×