OREANDA-NEWS. October 21, 2011. Excise taxes on alcohol and tobacco goods will rise substantially in 2012, a government insider told reporters.

There is an amendment pending to Belarus’ Tax Code, which lays down new excise tax rates for all products subject to excise taxation in 2012, the government source said. According to the government plan, excise rates will grow every quarter.

The amendment to the Tax Code is still a blueprint, which means the actual rates may differ from present-day proposals, the government insider said. However, he admitted, the tax rates are expected to grow substantially.

According to the draft resolution, on January 1, 2012 the excise rates on strong alocoholic drinks will total Br48,280 per litre of pure alcohol, April 1, 2012 – Br56,560, July 1, 2012 – Br64,840, October 1, 2012 – Br73,120. At the moment, the excise tax on that type of product is Br30,000.

For fortified wines of improved quality the excise rates will grow from Br19,310 as of January 1, 2012, April 1, 2012 – Br22,620, July 1, 2012 – Br25,940, October 1, 2012 – Br29,250. The present-day tax rate for that type of product is Br7,740 per litre of pure alcohol.

Excise rates on beer with alcohol content between 0.5% and 7% will be set at Br1.61 per litre from January 1, 2012, April 1, 2012 – Br1,880, July 1, 2012 – Br2,160, October 1, 2012 – Br2,430. The present-day tax rate for that type of product is Br1,000 per litre.

Excise rates on beer with alcohol content over 7% (now 2,000 rubles): January 1, 2012 -Br3,220, April 1, 2012 – Br3,780, July 1, 2012 – Br4,330, October 1, 2012 - Br4,880.

The following excise tax rates are likely to be set on cigarettes (per 1,000 units):

- priced up to 150,000 – 18,310 rubles; Br21,090; Br23,980; Br26,870.

- between 150,000 rubles and 300,000 rubles – 49,000 rubles; Br58,880; Br68,320; Br77,760.

- over 3000,000 rubles and cigarettes without retail prices – 69,440 rubles; Br78,880; Br 88,320; Br 97,760.