Russia Cracks Down On Tax Deadbeats

Tax revenues jumped 40 percent in November from the previous month, a sign the government’s crackdown on tax deadbeats is succeeding, the State Tax Service said Wednesday.

The tax service said it collected $3.8 billion in federal taxes in November, about 90 percent of its goal. In previous months, collections fell to as low as 67 percent of the targeted sum.

The improved collections are likely to fuel government hopes that the International Monetary Fund will resume disbursements of a $10 billion loan to Russia later this month.

The IMF is likely to finish a detailed review of Russia’s November performance next week.

The government has been under strong pressure from the IMF to step up tax collection.