Tax debts can divert payments meant for Russian credit cards

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  Some Russian credit card customers say payments they make toward card debt are being diverted to pay tax debts.

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  The Federal Tax Service says banks must follow a legal payment priority when an account does not have enough money to cover all obligations.

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  Tax debts rank third in that order, ahead of credit card debts, which rank fifth.

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  The practice reportedly became more common from spring 2026 and can leave customers overdue on card payments.

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  The tax service recommends checking for tax debts through its online account or the Gosuslugi service.

Who

Some Russian credit card customers with tax debts, and the banks handling their payments.

What

Money paid toward credit card debt may instead be used to repay tax debts, potentially leading to overdue card payments.

When

Such cases reportedly became more common from spring 2026.

Where

Russia.

Why

Tax debts have a higher payment priority than credit card debts when an account lacks enough money to cover all obligations.

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