November 21 — Tax Officer's Day: history, traditions, congratulations

Tax Officer's Day is celebrated annually in Russia on November 21. It is a professional holiday for employees whose activities are directly related to the formation of the country's budget, control of legislation and ensuring economic stability. In 2025, the date falls on a Friday. How the tax system has developed in Russia, what traditions are associated with this day, and how to congratulate industry experts, read the Izvestia article.

Tax Officer's Day – 2025: the history of the holiday

The professional holiday of employees of the Federal Tax Service was established by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2000. The choice of date turned out to be symbolic — in honor of the signing on November 21, 1991 of the decree on the establishment of the State Tax Service of the RSFSR, which became the basis of the modern tax administration system.

The history of Russian taxation goes back to the era of Ancient Russia, when taxes were levied in kind or in cash. These fees were carried out by the princely squads and were directed to the maintenance of the authorities and troops. By the 17th century, the tax structure in Russia had acquired a centralized character. New forms of taxation emerged, for example, salt and food taxes.

Peter I carried out a significant reform of the system at the beginning of the XVIII century, introducing the poll tax, a universal direct tax levied on every man regardless of age, from a newborn baby to a very old man. It became a new stage in the history of training camps, a revolutionary tool for its time.

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In the 19th century, under Alexander II, the tax system adapted to the challenges of industrialization, with excise taxes, duties, and other payments targeted at the growing economy.

After the 1917 revolution, the structure of taxation changed dramatically in a planned economy. State-owned enterprises have become the main taxpayers, and the collection of taxes from the population has been minimized. However, with the collapse of the USSR and the transition to a market model, Russia faced the need to reform its fiscal system.

In 1991, the State Tax Service of the RSFSR was established, whose task was to fill the budget in the new economic conditions. In 2004, its functions were transferred to the Federal Tax Service (FTS), the agency currently responsible for collecting taxes, overseeing their payment, and improving tax policy, taking into account the interests of both the state and business.

Traditions of celebrating Tax Officer's Day

Every year, on November 21, celebrations are held in Federal Tax Service units across the country. On this day, the best employees are honored, certificates of honor, departmental awards and commendations are presented. Veterans of the service are invited to festive gatherings, emphasizing the continuity of generations.

In addition to the official part, the FTS teams organize corporate meetings that help strengthen team spirit. Lectures, seminars and educational campaigns are also held in a number of regions, the purpose of which is to increase tax literacy of the population, clarify the nuances of tax legislation and stimulate citizens' legal awareness.

Who is being congratulated on November 21st and how?

On November 21, there are words of gratitude addressed to those who ensure the financial stability of the country, monitor the fulfillment of tax obligations and contribute to the economic development of Russia. Congratulations are accepted not only by current employees of the Federal Tax Service, but also by industry veterans, as well as teachers and students of specialized universities. Izvestia has prepared several examples of how this can be done.:

"Congratulations on Tax Officer's Day! May every line of the report be satisfying, and may life be orderly and stable, like the balance in a tax return!";

"Congratulations on your professional holiday! Let the work be as accurate as verified tax rates! We wish that responsibility is balanced by well-deserved successes. Happy Tax Officer's Day!";

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"Congratulations on the holiday! Stability in business, respect from colleagues, friendly taxpayers and transparent operations — both at work and in life! With respect and gratitude for your contribution to the development of the country's economy";

"Congratulations on Tax Officer's Day! May your work be not only accurate, but also inspiring, and may every new business be successful and effective! We wish that any complex calculations end with simple joys — a grateful word and a well-deserved award. Happy holiday of order and responsibility!";

"Let everything in life, as in the tax system, be transparent and predictable, and work is valued as highly as discipline in paying taxes! We wish you confidence, energy and decent results!"

Interesting facts: from beard to underwear — how taxes reflected the spirit of the era

The beard tax

Peter the Great introduced the beard tax after his trip to Europe. It has become not so much a fiscal instrument as a way of modernizing society. Inspired by Western fashion, the tsar decided to fight boyar beards not with prohibitions, but with taxes. The decree was signed in 1698, and finally approved in 1705. The amount of the fee depended on the class. Courtiers and nobles paid 60 rubles a year, merchants — 100. The peasants were exempt from the permanent tax, but were required to pay one kopeck for each entry or exit from the city. The payment was confirmed by a special copper token, a "beard badge", which was carried with them and presented on demand. This fiscal experiment lasted for more than seven decades and was canceled only under Catherine II.

Tax on private baths

In 1704, Peter the Great introduced a tax on baths, which became another way to systematize income from private initiative. Boyars and Duma people contributed 3 rubles each year, nobles and merchants — 1 ruble each, and peasants — 15 kopecks each. It was a kind of step towards state regulation of household infrastructure and an early example of differentiated taxation depending on social status.

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Tax on childlessness in the USSR

During the Soviet period, a number of taxes appeared that were "ideological in nature." Since 1941, a "tax on bachelors, single and small-family citizens" has been introduced in the country. Men between the ages of 20 and 50, as well as married women between the ages of 20 and 45 who did not have children, were required to pay 6% of their salaries to the budget. The measure was aimed at stimulating the birth rate in the conditions of the war and post-war period, and lasted for almost half a century.

The fee for rinsing clothes in the ice hole

At the beginning of the 20th century, there was an unusual seasonal tax on the use of natural resources in the Altai Territory. For the opportunity to rinse clothes in the ice hole in winter, you had to pay 20 kopecks per season. Moreover, for each trip to get water with a rocker, an additional fee was charged — 2 kopecks.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history and traditions of celebrating Transport Worker's Day.