How will Solar Staff handle tax payments for users?
Solar Staff automatically calculates and withholds personal income tax (PIT) from each payment, transferring these withholdings to the Federal Tax Service twice monthly. As your tax agent, Solar Staff manages all tax reporting, eliminating the need for you to file separate tax declarations for this income.
Does Solar Staff handle social security and insurance contributions?
No. Solar Staff only serves as a tax agent for personal income tax. Payments made to individuals through our service are not subject to social security or insurance contributions.
What is the legal basis for these changes?
These changes stem from Federal Law No. 389-FZ dated July 31, 2023, which introduced two key amendments to the Russian Tax Code:
1. Tax Code Article 226, Paragraph 1.1 (effective January 1, 2025): Requires international organizations, including Solar Staff, to act as tax agents
2.Tax Code Article 208, Paragraph 1, Sub-paragraph 6.3 (effective January 1, 2025): Establishes the taxation procedure for payments
What information will Solar Staff share with tax authorities?
Solar Staff will transmit two categories of information to the Federal Tax Service:
1. Personal data:
o Full name
o Passport details
o Date of birth
o Citizenship
o Tax residency
o Tax ID number (INN)
2. Financial information:
o Income received
o Tax withheld
What are the new tax rates for 2025?
A progressive tax scale will be implemented in 2025. Note that higher rates only apply to income above each threshold, not to your entire income.
The new tax scale:
· 13% on annual income up to 2.4 million rubles
· 15% on portion from 2.4 to 5 million rubles
· 18% on portion from 5 to 20 million rubles
· 20% on portion from 20 to 50 million rubles
· 22% on portion over 50 million rubles
As an example, for annual income of 3 million rubles, the tax calculation works as follows:
1. First 2.4 million rubles: 2.4 million × 13% = 312,000 rubles
2. Remaining 0.6 million rubles: 0.6 million × 15% = 90,000 rubles
3. Total tax: 402,000 rubles
For additional information, visit:
How is tax calculated if I have income sources besides Solar Staff?
The Federal Tax Service will calculate your total tax obligation based on data from all your income sources. If additional tax payments are required, you’ll be notified through:
· Your taxpayer’s personal account
· The State Services portal (Gosuslugi)
· Registered mail
These notifications typically arrive in September of the following year alongside property tax notices.
Important: For income not automatically reported to tax authorities (where no organization acts as tax agent), you must file a 3-NDFL declaration by April 30 of the following year.
When is a 3-NDFL declaration required for 2025?
You only need to file a 3-NDFL declaration in two situations:
1. You have income from which tax wasn’t withheld
2. You’re claiming a tax deduction
For any tax reporting questions, Solar Staff support is available to assist you.
Will tax be withheld for tasks assigned in December but paid and withdrawn in January?
Yes. Starting January 1, 2025, all withdrawals to Russian bank cards for individuals will be subject to mandatory personal income tax withholding, regardless of when the task was assigned.
Does tax withholding apply to December 2024 tasks withdrawn in 2025?
Yes. The withdrawal date determines tax withholding, not the payment receipt date. Any withdrawals to Russian cards from January 1, 2025, will have tax automatically withheld.
Can I use both Russian and non-Russian withdrawal methods from January?
This option will be temporarily unavailable – you’ll need to choose either Russian or non-Russian withdrawal methods. Solar Staff plans to restore multiple withdrawal method functionality during the first quarter of 2025.
How can I receive payments without a tax ID number (INN)?
An INN is required to receive payments through Solar Staff. You can obtain one:
1. In person at a tax inspection office
2. Online through the Federal Tax Service website
Payments cannot be processed until you obtain and register your INN in the system.
How can I find my existing INN online?
If you’ve previously been issued an INN, you can locate it through the Federal Tax Service portal by entering your passport or other identity document details.
For withdrawals to a relative’s or friend’s card, who bears the tax obligation?
For third-party card withdrawals:
· Only verified relatives’ cards are eligible for withdrawals
· Tax is withheld from the Solar Staff account owner, regardless of whose card is used
How can I verify tax payments made through Solar Staff?
A detailed monthly statement showing tax amounts transferred on your behalf will be available in your personal account.
How do I obtain an income and tax payment statement from Solar Staff?
Solar Staff submits all data to tax authorities at year-end. You can access your income statement (formerly 2-NDFL) through your taxpayer’s personal account in March-April of the following year.
How is tax residency determined in the system?
Your tax residency status is based on the country specified in your Solar Staff account.
What are the tax withholding rules for Russian citizens who are non-residents or have undefined tax status?
Taxation procedures depend on your verified account information. This is particularly relevant for digital nomads and those living outside Russia long-term:
· If a country other than Russia is specified:
o No tax withholding applies
o Russian card payments are unavailable
· If Russia is specified with “individual” status:
o Automatic tax withholding applies
Why must Solar Staff, as an international organization, comply with Russian tax legislation?
The new legislation applies to all organizations, including foreign ones. As an international service, Solar Staff:
· Maintains compliance with all countries’ legislation where it operates
· Provides legal protection for users
· Adheres to local regulatory requirements
Do these new taxation rules affect monetary gifts between friends?
No, these legislative changes do not impact monetary transfers between individuals classified as gifts.
Where can I verify my tax status in my account?
To check your tax status:
1. Access https://my.solarstaff.com/login
2. Navigate to the “Taxes” section
The default setting is “individual.”
What changes apply to self-employed users?
Self-employed users will experience no changes to their current service conditions.
What changes apply to users with individual entrepreneur status?
Individual entrepreneurs will see no changes to their current service conditions.
What ruble payment withdrawal methods will be available after January 1, 2025, for individuals?
All current Russian payment instruments, including Russian bank cards, will remain available.
Will withdrawals to non-Russian accounts be available after January 1? Will they be taxed?
Implementation schedule:
· January 1, 2025: Withdrawals to accounts outside Russia temporarily suspended
· Q1 2025: Planned restoration of functionality
· Tax withholding procedures for restored payments will be announced separately
Are funds held in Solar Staff balance taxed for users with “individual” status?
No. Tax withholding only occurs when withdrawing funds to a Russian bank card. Maintaining funds in your balance creates no tax obligations.
Will tax changes affect currency conversion rates?
No, the tax changes have no impact on currency conversion rates within the service.
Will 2025 withdrawals of pre-Solar Staff/Mellow separation funds be taxed?
Yes, if two conditions are met:
· Withdrawal occurs to a Russian card from January 1, 2025
· Account has “individual” tax status
For any questions, please contact us through the online chat in your Solar Staff account or email [email protected].