In plain words
A receipt (расписка, raspiska) is a short note in which a person confirms: "I received the money (or the item) and promise to return it." It is written by the person who receives the money. If the debt is not repaid, the receipt becomes the main evidence in court.
By law, a loan agreement between individuals must be in writing if the amount is over 10,000 ₽ (Art. 808 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation). A receipt is exactly this kind of written form. You do not need a notary: a receipt that is handwritten, or printed and signed, is valid.
What to include in a receipt
- The date and place where it is written.
- The full names and passport details of both people: who gave the money and who received it.
- The amount in figures and in words, and the currency.
- The word "received": the text must show that the money has already been handed over, not just promised.
- The repayment deadline: a specific date.
- Interest, if there is any, or a direct phrase such as "the loan is interest-free".
- The signature of the person who received the money, with the name written out.
A ready template is in the sample receipt for money received, and for selling a car, in the receipt for a car.
Interest: if nothing is said about it
Many people think that if a receipt has no interest, the loan is free. That is not always so. A loan between individuals is interest-free only if the amount is no more than 100,000 ₽ and the loan is not related to business (Art. 809, para. 4 of the Civil Code). If the amount is larger and the receipt has no phrase about an interest-free loan, the lender can demand interest at the Central Bank key rate.
Worked example
Ivan borrowed 300,000 ₽ from Pyotr for a year. The receipt states the amount and the return date but says nothing about interest. The amount is over 100,000 ₽, so Pyotr can claim interest at the key rate. Suppose the rate was 14% for the whole year:
300,000 × 14% = 42,000 ₽ per year
If the rate changed, interest is calculated separately for each period. And if Ivan is also late with the repayment, interest under Article 395 of the Civil Code is added on top; it is easy to calculate in the penalty calculator.
Calculate it yourself
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Common mistakes
- The word "received" is missing. A phrase such as "I undertake to hand over" or "I am borrowing" without confirming the transfer gives the debtor a reason to say there was no money.
- No passport details. A name alone makes it hard to prove that this particular person wrote the receipt.
- The receipt is kept by the debtor. The original is kept by the person who gave the money. When the debt is repaid, the original is given back to the debtor, or a return receipt is written in exchange.
- The deadline is missed. Recovery under a receipt is subject to the statute of limitations: 3 years from the day the debt had to be repaid.
- No repayment date is given. Then the money must be returned within 30 days after a written demand. This is not a mistake, but it is better to state the date right away.
If the debt is not repaid, you usually send a pre-trial claim first, and then file for a court order (for amounts up to 500,000 ₽) or a lawsuit.
In Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus
Russia
A loan between individuals of more than 10,000 ₽ must be made in writing, and a receipt is enough (Art. 808 of the Civil Code). It does not have to be certified by a notary. If the amount is over 100,000 ₽ and the receipt does not say the loan is interest-free, the lender may claim interest at the key rate.
Kazakhstan
In Kazakhstan, a loan agreement between individuals must also be in writing if the amount exceeds the threshold set by law (calculated in MRP, the monthly calculation index); the borrower's receipt confirms the agreement and the transfer of the money.
Belarus
In Belarus, a loan between individuals is made in writing if the amount exceeds 10 base units; it can be confirmed by the borrower's receipt.
Sources: Civil Code of the Russian Federation, Art. 807–812 («Гражданский кодекс РФ»), ConsultantPlus