Russia Begins Levying Google Tax

Over 100 foreign providers of electronically supplied goods and services to Russian consumers have registered to pay value-added tax on their supplies at 18 percent.

The levy – dubbed the “Google tax” – came into force at the beginning of this year and is payable on a quarterly basis.

Affected providers include Apple, Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Facebook, various online publications, gaming firms, and payment providers.

A number of these firms have reportedly increased their prices in Russia to pass on the tax burden to consumers.