A member of the Duma was recently quoted urging the government to reduce the VAT tax instead of or in addition to the reduction in income taxes that are being enacted and planned. This does have a certain undeniable logic to it as the companies that would benefit from a reduction in income tax represent a small proportion of the overall total and most of the companies in dire need of assistance will not see any. As was mentioned, a VAT tax would benefit everyone, encourage economic growth long-term and in the near-term assist many companies teetering on the abyss survive the economic crisis. It’s a rare economic policy where the more equitable decision is more than likely the better decision.