The COVID-19 pandemic has become a serious challenge for the entire world community. National governments were forced to introduce restrictive measures to prevent the spread of a new coronavirus infection. However, the self-isolation regime announced in many countries is one of the main factors of the recession into which the world economy has plunged. As a confirmation, the article presents the results of a study conducted by the International Monetary Fund. In connection with these events, anti-crisis programs were developed in many countries of the world, which provided for several packages of financial support measures for the population and businesses. One of the basic tools for implementing the approved economic recovery programs were tax measures, which are the subject of this study.   A review of the world practice of using tax instruments allowed us to distinguish two groups. The first group includes tax measures adapted to the new socio-economic realities, which, despite the reduction of the tax burden, are not tax expenditures. The second group includes tax expenses. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the fact that, based on the results of studying international experience, a classification of tax expenditures used to offset the negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic was developed. The purpose of the provision is selected as a classification feature. The conducted research allowed us to conclude that the most popular tax expenditures were such tax expenditures as the reduction (exemption) of indirect taxes on medical products and products of firms affected by the introduction of restrictive measures. In addition, tax expenditures in the form of tax deductions and credits for taxes on individual and corporate income have become widespread, encouraging taxpayers to direct savings to finance investments and activities of small and medium-sized businesses, special funds to combat COVID-19.

The implementation of quarantine measures and the decline in economic activity in 2020 became an impetus for the implementation of a stimulating tax policy not only at the federal, but also at the subnational level. The article examines the experience of countercyclical fiscal policy in the OECD countries, highlights the factors of relatively modest tax support provided to small and medium-sized businesses at the subnational level. The object of the study is stimulating tax expenditures provided in accordance with the legislation of the Russian regions to support economic entities in the conditions of restrictive measures caused by the spread of a new coronavirus infection. The research methodology is based on the methods of formal logic, statistical and econometric analysis. The scientific novelty of this study consists in conducting a comprehensive analysis covering all subjects of the Russian Federation in which stimulating tax expenditures were actually provided, and assessing the regional tax policy implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic through the prism of key budget parameters and indicators of socio-economic development. The regional tax policy was carried out in conditions of large-scale fiscal support from the federal center and deterioration of the state of subnational finances due to the growth of deficit budgets. During the 2020 pandemic, the constituent entities of the Russian Federation provided tax benefits on taxes that account for a small share in the revenues of regional budgets. Since the main purpose of tax incentives was to solve liquidity problems and maintain employment, investment tax incentives for corporate income tax were not introduced in Russian regions. The study of the actual and forecast dynamics of GRP allowed us to conclude that the tax support measures implemented in the Russian subjects stimulated economic activity and helped to smooth out the negative consequences of the coronacrisis.

Economic relations between Russia and Germany are developing in the context of such global challenges as the aggravation of the international political situation, the introduction of anti-Russian sanctions, the economic recession against the background of the Covid-19 pandemic. The subject of this study is the regional peculiarities of the placement of German capital on the territory of Russia. The object of the study is 55 subjects of the Russian Federation, which are recipients of direct German investments. The authors focus on studying the dynamics, species and geographical structure of accumulated direct German investments in the context of individual subjects and federal districts. The article assesses the level of differentiation of direct German investments within individual federal districts, calculates sub-federal investment positions, identifies trends in investment cooperation between Russian and German enterprises carried out within the framework of special economic zones. It is established that the factors contributing to the placement of German capital in European Russia are the preferential localization of special economic zones in this part of the country, as well as the conclusion of special investment contracts on the basis of already functioning production facilities. According to the results of the study, the authors summarize that the current regional structure of German investments does not contribute to the achievement of such a task provided for by the Spatial Development Strategy of the Russian Federation as the reduction of interregional socio-economic imbalances. The scientific novelty of this study is to develop recommendations for expanding investment cooperation between Russia and Germany in the Far East, special attention is paid to the role of state institutions. The authors substantiate that the implementation of investment projects for the production of wind power units and assemblies, solar panels, as well as the construction of wind and solar power plants in the Far East should be considered as a promising area of cooperation between Russia and Germany.

Increase of access to financial services (financial inclusion) and overcoming the new digital gap are the priority task of the national governments, which entails the development of state programs and implementation of various initiatives The subject of this research is the financial literacy and instruments for its improvement in the conditions of new digital reality. The question is raised on the need for reconsideration of the financial literacy in the digital context, and implementation of the more extensive multidimensional approach towards its definition. The authors present the results of scientific research conducted in different countries, which prove that financial and digital literacy are the key determinants of financial inclusion. The analysis of foreign practice of introducing the programs aimed at the improvement of financial literacy of the population leads to a number of practically valuable conclusions, namely high potential and effectiveness of the projects that use interactive technologies. The scientific novelty lies in formulation of recommendations that would contribute to more effective implementation of the programs intended for improving financial literacy of the population: targeted programs for improving financial literacy adapted to the needs and level of knowledge of a specific target audience; interactive content that develops both, financial and digital literacy in the context of using financial products. Special attention is given to the formation of competencies for secure use of digital financial products, information awareness of the participants of the programs on the fraudulent schemes. The increase of financial literacy is considered as an indirect financial protection of the consumers.