On the 1st of January 2015 new regulations regarding branches and representative offices of foreign companies within the territory of the Russian Federation entered into force. Accreditation of branches and representative offices of foreign companies as well as maintenance of the register shall be carried out by Interregional inspection of the Federal Tax Service of Moscow No. 47 (hereinafter “Inspection”)

Early this year the Federal Tax Service issued procedure rules and approved forms for applications and for other necessary documents. Below we provide a brief summary of the most significant changes:

• Branches and representative offices with an accreditation date expiring  later than the 1st of April 2015 shall submit to the Inspection their company profile data adjusted to an approved form before the 1st of April 2015, otherwise its accreditation will be automatically invalidated.

• Branches and representative offices with an accreditation date expiring  earlier than the 1st of April 2015 shall apply for accreditation to the Inspection directly.

• Accreditation of branches and representative offices which comply with mentioned conditions shall be valid until its expiration date. Complete package of documents for accreditation prepared in accordance with new regulations shall be submitted to the Inspection at least 30 days prior to the expiration date. State fee for accreditation of branches and representative offices amounts to 120.000, -- RUB.

• Visa support and personal accreditation of foreign employees is now being handled by Russian Chamber Of Commerce.