The cost of implementing Russian AI for small and medium-sized businesses may be reduced. The government and the IT industry are discussing tax benefits and subsidies for companies that purchase domestic software with AI functions or subscribe to such services.

One option is to allow a reduction in income tax or simplified tax system payments by the cost of the acquired solution. The basic deduction is proposed to be set at 200,000 rubles per year, and if the company can confirm productivity growth, it can be increased to 500,000.

There is also a more generous scenario. The developer will be able to offer a discount to small businesses, and the state will compensate them for part of the cost. In the first year, the subsidy can cover up to 100% of the product or subscription price, but not more than 200,000 rubles, then the support is proposed to be reduced to 50% and 25%.

The authors of the initiative expect that this will encourage companies to automate and reduce costs. According to the SME Corporation, digital tools have already helped individual enterprises increase revenues and reduce costs by 5–15% or more.

But for now, it's only a discussion. The government emphasizes that there are no concrete decisions yet, and experts still need to determine how to verify the real effect of AI implementation and whether new tax benefits should be introduced for it.