BANKRUPTCY COSTS
A debtor filing for their own bankruptcy pays no court duty. Creditor petitions have different rates, while deposits and expenses remain separate.
Legal provisions and amounts checked on 6 September 2026.
No Court Duty Is Charged When the Citizen Debtor Files for Own Bankruptcy
| Applicant | Court duty | Still applicable |
|---|---|---|
| Citizen debtor | No duty | Deposit and expenses |
| Individual creditor | RUB 10,000 | Deposit where required |
| Corporate creditor | RUB 100,000 | Deposit and expenses |
| Public authority | Special regime | Exemption review |
| MFC route | No court duty | Out-of-court eligibility |
Identify procedural role
An individual may be debtor or creditor.
Do not merge payments
Duty goes to the budget; deposit goes to the court account.
Check relief and details
Use current Tax Code text and court instructions.
Why is the debtor’s own petition exempt?
Tax Code Article 333.21(1)(8) expressly provides that no court duty is charged on a debtor’s own bankruptcy petition. The rule depends on the application and procedural role, not proof of having no income. An individual petitioning as a creditor for someone else’s bankruptcy is not exempt merely because they are a natural person.
The table’s RUB 10,000 individual and RUB 100,000 corporate rates concern a creditor’s petition to declare a debtor bankrupt, before any applicable exemptions. They are not the total case cost.
Why is RUB 25,000 not court duty?
Article 20.6(3) of Federal Law No. 127-FZ sets the financial manager’s fixed remuneration at RUB 25,000 for one procedure. The court deposit secures that remuneration; it neither replaces nor constitutes court duty. Asset realization following restructuring is a separate procedure and should be allowed for in the budget.
Under current Article 213.4(4), the citizen deposits the funds after the order accepting the application and before the hearing on whether it is justified, stating the case number in the payment document. Do not copy an old template requiring this deposit before filing. Follow the court’s order and scheduled hearing date.
Example: an individual files for their own bankruptcy
The petition itself attracts zero court duty. Fixed manager remuneration for one procedure is RUB 25,000. Relevant publication, postage and other necessary expenses must also be budgeted. “Zero plus 25,000” is not the final bankruptcy price and does not automatically include legal services.
Separate disputes and appeals need a fresh assessment
The own-petition exemption does not cover every application within a case. Article 333.21(1)(9) sets a special rule for applications, claims and separate bankruptcy disputes: 50% of the duty calculated according to the substance of the relief sought. Identify the actual document, applicable rule and exemptions; do not simply halve RUB 10,000 for every motion or appeal.
Avoiding payment errors
If court duty is payable, use current payment details and purpose from the relevant court’s official website. A deposit uses a separate payment type and appropriate account. Retain confirmation of execution rather than merely an instruction to pay.
If funds went to the wrong place, establish the recipient, payment type and basis for a refund or clarification first. A payment to a law firm is not proof of a court deposit. The contract and estimate should distinguish representation fees, the deposit and reimbursable expenses.
Before Filing
Frequently asked questions
Does zero court duty make bankruptcy free?
No. The exemption for the debtor’s own petition does not remove the deposit and other court-case expenses. The out-of-court MFC procedure is a separate route with its own eligibility rules.
Do I need a duty receipt for my own petition?
For a debtor’s petition concerning their own bankruptcy, Article 333.21(1)(8) charges no duty. Do not make a payment solely because an old template lists a receipt.
Can one receipt cover both the deposit and court duty?
These are different payments with different purposes. Proof of one does not establish payment of the other. Check the necessary payments and details separately.
Legal sources
Tax Code Article 333.21(1)(8)–(9) (Russian) · Article 213.4: deposit timing (Russian) · Article 20.6: manager remuneration (Russian)
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