Small business in the creative industry: assessment of contribution to the economy

The article is devoted to the study of the contribution of Russian small businesses working in creative industries to the economy of the Russian Federation. Based on the analysis of official statistics, the share of the able-bodied population employed in the creative field is calculated. Estimated assumptions are made about the size of the contribution of small businesses in the creative industry to the country’s economy. The role of small business involved in the spheres of activity related to the creative industry is evaluated. According to the author’s assessment, small enterprises and private entrepreneurs generate a significant share of the total income of the creative industry. Small businesses in the form of sole proprietors and self-employment are becoming increasingly popular in the creative industry, and selfemployment is growing at a faster pace. Statistics show an accelerated growth in the registration of selfemployed citizens. There is also a “flow” of entrepreneurs into self-employment from other organizational and legal forms. This is due to a more comfortable tax regime for the self-employed; convenience of registration actions and payment of taxes; minimum reporting required when carrying out activities. This process will continue to gain momentum: the status of an individual entrepreneur in the creative industry is significantly less beneficial to business entities due to the fiscal burden.