Liquor tax may be raised by 20 % in Russia

According to a draft tax document that the Finance Ministry issued on Saturday Russia may raise tariffs on hard liquor to about 20 percent a liter by 2015, RIA-Novosti reports.
Excise on anhydrous ethanol will be increased to 600 rubles ($20) per liter, the document said. One liter of anhydrous ethanol is enough to produce a five half-liter of vodka.
Excise duties on anhydrous ethanol rose from January 2012 by over 9 percent from 231 rubles to 254 rubles a liter of spirits and from July 1 will rise to 300 rubles. From thereon, duties will rise to 400 rubles from 2013 and 500 rubles by 2014, RIA-Novosti reports.