On March 10, reports spread on social networks that the Federal Tax Service allegedly began to additionally charge personal income tax to Russians who bought cars in 2024 with preferential loans at a rate of 0% or 0.01%. However, there is no confirmation of mass demands from the tax authorities yet.
The essence of the disseminated information is that car buyers may be charged income tax for using a loan below two-thirds of the key rate. With an average car loan amount of about 1.5 million rubles, such a tax could be significant, since personal income tax on material benefits is calculated at a rate of 35%.
Auto expert Maxim Kadakov explained that in practice, such requirements are possible only in certain cases. For example, if the borrower is in a direct relationship with the bank - works in it or receives a preferential loan through an organization associated with this bank. In such a situation, the tax authorities may interpret the preferential rate as a material benefit.
If you have no relation to the bank and, on generally available terms (equal for everyone), under a public offer, enter into an agreement for the purchase of a car with an interest-free loan, then you do not have any additional obligations to the Federal Tax Service to pay taxes.
He also noted that if questions arise from the tax authorities, it is enough to provide a loan agreement confirming that the loan was received on standard terms.
