Communal, deposits, parcels: what will eat the income of Russians in 2027

The draft federal budget, which the government submitted to the state Duma at the end of September, laid an increase in the minimum wage by 6.8% to 28,935 rubles. The subsistence minimum will increase by a similar percentage. Insurance pensions are planned to be indexed twice: the first time - for actual inflation in 2026, the second - in the spring. Maternity capital for the first child, according to the Minister of labor, will be 778.5 thousand rubles.

In a conversation with our publication, Nikita Lysenko, a leading lecturer in the master’s programs “Financial Engineering” and “Investment in Financial Markets” at HSE, warned that inflation indexation does not make people richer – it only compensates for price increases. At the same time, personal inflation in many families is significantly higher than official figures. This is especially acute in the context of mandatory payments.

In the Tula region, there is already a clear example: from October 1, 2026, utility fees in the region increased by an average of 9.8%. This is significantly faster than the projected growth of pensions and the minimum wage, the expert calculated. For the whole of 2027, Tula residents will have to live with these new tariffs, and for pensioners and low-income families, the share of communal services in the budget remains one of the most significant items of expenditure.

One of the most sensitive changes for some residents of the region will be the new tax rules. From 2027, deposit income, dividends and profits from the sale of securities will be taxed on a progressive scale - from 13 to 22% instead of the previous 13-15%. For most investors, whose amounts are small, this will have almost no effect on the final return. But owners of large savings will feel the difference: the tax burden on investment income will increase markedly.

There is a less obvious nuance. The non-taxable amount of interest on deposits is directly linked to the key rate. As soon as the rate is reduced, the threshold after which the tax is charged decreases. This means that the tax can appear even for those depositors who have not previously paid it. For Tulaks who are used to keeping money on deposits as a way to protect against inflation, this will be an additional factor when choosing a savings strategy.

Another item of expenditure that will grow imperceptibly is purchases on foreign sites. From 2027, the VAT on cross-border e-commerce will increase to 22%. In addition, for each parcel worth up to 200 euros, a fixed fee of 100 rubles will be charged. Even if the product itself does not rise in price, the total cost of small orders will significantly increase due to these premiums. For those who regularly order things from abroad, this can become a tangible item of additional spending.

In order not to face unpleasant surprises in the middle of the year, it is important to take these changes into account in advance and adjust your personal financial plans. His advice was shared by Nikita Lysenko, a leading lecturer in the master’s programs “Financial Engineering” and “Investments in Financial Markets” of HSE.

My advice for 2027 is simple: don't focus on average numbers. Calculate your personal inflation on real accounts, primarily utilities, products and loans, and compare it with your income growth. If expenses grow faster, it is better to reassemble the budget in advance, not in the middle of the year, Lysenko said.

Thus, in 2027, the Tula family budget will be most affected not so much by new incomes as by the outstripping growth of mandatory expenses – from communal services to taxes and cross-border purchases. Conscious planning and accounting for personal inflation will help minimize unpleasant consequences and maintain financial stability.