Putin backs keeping childbirth tax relief targeted

Vladimir Putin backed the finance ministry's position that tax relief for employer childbirth payments of up to one million rubles should not yet be extended to other forms of employee support.

Speaking at the Delovaya Rossiya forum on October 15, Deputy Finance Minister Alexei Sazanov said the existing relief was specifically intended to support childbirth. He called for further examination of proposals to use the exempt amount for other purposes.

Sazanov cited housing assistance as an example. In his view, without a clear connection to a child's birth, such payments could become a way to reduce personal income tax and insurance contributions within ordinary employment relationships.

Since 2026, one-time employer assistance of up to one million rubles per child, paid during the first year after birth, has been exempt from personal income tax and insurance contributions.

Putin agreed with the ministry's reasoning, saying the purpose was to support childbirth directly. The ministry proposes retaining the targeted scope while a possible extension receives further study.