Mechanics of withholding the 3% advertising fee
The advertising fee is a requirement under internet advertising regulation in Russia and applies when placing ads on Russian advertising systems. ZaleyCash automates its calculation and accounting within the platform.
What's changing on April 1, 2026?
Starting April 1, 2026, ZaleyCash applies a mechanism for withholding a 3% advertising fee when working with Russian ad networks, in accordance with the requirements of Russian legislation.
The fee will be calculated automatically when funds are transferred to the ad network's balance.
Why is the advertising fee withheld?
In accordance with the requirements of Russian legislation on internet advertising regulation, ad networks and market participants are required to account for and pay the advertising fee when placing ads on Russian ad networks.
In ZaleyCash, this process is automated so that users don't need to calculate and track this fee themselves.
Starting April 1, 2026, the platform switches to a unified mechanism for calculating and withholding it.
The advertising fee was already withheld when I paid an invoice. Will these amounts be taken into account during recalculation?
Yes.
During reconciliation, we take into account all previously withheld advertising fee amounts. Based on the calculation results, an adjustment will be made according to actual data: any excess amounts withheld will be returned to the user's balance, and the withholding amount will be corrected if needed.
My balance went negative starting April 1. Why?
As part of the transition to the updated fee calculation mechanism, the system may have deducted the advertising fee from the user's account, including for funds already held in advertising accounts. As a result, the balance may show a negative value.
To continue working and even out your balance, we recommend topping it up using any convenient method in your personal account.
Adjustments will be made based on the reconciliation of actual data from the ad networks. If excess withholding is identified, the corresponding amount will be returned to your balance.
Who does the advertising fee apply to?
The advertising fee applies to all top-ups of advertising accounts on Russian ad networks.
This rule applies regardless of the payment method, for example:
- bank card
- bank transfer
- cryptocurrency
- payment via a legal entity or sole proprietor
If the funds are used to place ads on Russian advertising systems, the advertising fee will be calculated automatically.
What will happen to my balance on April 1?
As part of the transition to the updated mechanism, the system will:
- calculate the advertising fee on the remaining funds in advertising accounts as of 04/01/2026
- deduct the corresponding amount from the user's balance
As a result, some users' balances may temporarily go negative.
This is solely due to the technical transition to the new calculation mechanism.
The advertising fee was already withheld when I paid an invoice. Will this money be taken into account?
Yes.
All previously withheld advertising fee amounts are taken into account during reconciliation.
Based on the calculation results:
- any excess funds withheld will be returned to the balance
- the withholding amount will be corrected if needed
How will the fee be withheld when topping up advertising accounts?
With every top-up of an advertising account on Russian ad networks, the system will automatically calculate a 3% advertising fee on the ad budget.
The amount is withheld at the moment funds are transferred to the ad network's balance.
Does the fee apply to Yandex Direct search advertising?
No.
Yandex Direct search advertising is not subject to the 3% advertising fee.
If the fee was withheld when topping up an advertising account, the excess amount withheld will be returned to the user.
What happens when funds are refunded from an ad network?
If an ad network refunds funds to the user's balance, the previously withheld advertising fee will be returned proportionally to the refund amount.
Do users need to do anything?
No.
All calculations happen automatically within the ZaleyCash platform, so users don't need to take any additional action.
Why is the fee calculated on the balances remaining in advertising accounts?
As of 04/01/2026, the fee will also be calculated on the funds remaining in advertising accounts on labeled Russian ad networks.
This is due to the transition to the new calculation mechanism within the platform.
Will adjustments be made?
Yes.
At the end of the quarter (04/01/2026 – 06/30/2026), a reconciliation of actual advertising fee data will be carried out.
If discrepancies are found:
- any excess amount withheld will be returned to the balance,
- the withholding amount will be corrected if needed.
How does the fee work for Yandex Direct?
Yandex Direct search advertising is not subject to the 3% advertising fee.
If the fee was withheld when topping up an advertising account, the excess amount withheld will be returned monthly, close to the 15th of the month following the month of adjustment.
What happens when funds are refunded from an ad network?
If an ad network refunds funds to the balance, the previously withheld advertising fee will be returned proportionally to the refund amount.
Where can I see the advertising fee being withheld?
The calculation is performed automatically when funds are transferred to the ad network's balance and is reflected in the account's transaction history.
Who should I contact if I have questions?
You can contact:
- your personal manager
- or the ZaleyCash support service.