Tax treatment features of the mineral resources development: world and domestic experience

Building a balanced system for obtaining a fair share of resource rents is one of the central objectives for the governments in the countries, rich in mineral resources. The special attention is paid to the high-margin projects on extraction of the hydrocarbon raw materials. Thus, the state share in the exploitation of its natural resources includes a variety of components, type and scope of which are determined by the specific conditions of a mining project. The article reviews the main tax instruments used in development of the mineral deposits, also considers the main trends in development of the international tax systems and their reflection in the Russian practice. It is shown that the main directions of the fiscal policy include simplification and striving for simplicity of administration, transparency in contracts between investors and governments, focus on transfer price issues, transition from gross royalties to taxation of economic results. Peculiarities of the budget policy in Russia determine development of agreements between the governments of the mining regions and mining companies aimed at the infrastructure and social facilities development, as a form of indirect natural rents for the development of the territories and local communities.