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A rundown of the major taxes in China for foreign
businesses
www.hongdaservice.com /blog/a-quick-rundown-of-the-major-taxes-in-china-for-foreign-businesses
Understanding taxes in China
China is in the process of going through some major tax reforms in the hope of helping local companies and
neighbouring countries save billions of dollars on taxes in 2016.
The continuation of tax reforms were emphasized by the statement released by the National Bureau of statistics at
the end of January, going into some detail about China's plan to
expand its value-added tax (VAT) reforms to let industries that enter the scheme this year pay 560 billion yuan
($85.1 billion) less in tax than they did in 2015.
In addition to this there is also the Belt and Road Initiative that is set to help neighbouring countries doing business
with China such as Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Romania and Russia to benefit from tax agreements.
This is certainly great news for domestic companies in eligible industries and for the countries along the Belt and
Road, but when it comes to foreign enterprises looking to move their operations to China, what are the relevant tax
costs that their business may incur?
Read on to find out what the major taxes in China for foreign businesses are today, and how where you register your
company may help you save below...
Major taxes in China for foreign businesses
Corporate income tax (CIT)
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All enterprises that generate income in China are required to pay CIT (except those of a sole proprietorship and
partnership). The standard CIT rate is at 25%, but qualified enterprises which are engaged in industries encouraged
by the China government in the following areas in southern China are subject to a reduced 15% rate:
Region Hengqin Pingtan Qianhai
Industry
Categories
High and New Technology Industry High Technology Industry Modern Logistics
Services Industry
Pharmaceutical and Healthcare
Industry
Commercial Services Sector Information Services
Industry
Science Education and Research and
Development Sectors
Agricultural and Marine Industry Technology Services
Industry
Cultural Innovation Sector Ecological and Environmental
Protection Industry
Cultural Innovation
Sector
Commercial Services Sector Public Facility Management
Industry
source: White and Williams LLP
More on The Qianhai New District and its prefential tax policies for foreign businesses here!
Withholding CIT
Withholding CIT on payments to non-tax residents is currently set at a reduced rate of 10%. This tax is applicable to:
-dividends, bonuses and other equity investment
-interest, rental, royalty and other passive income
Individual income tax (IIT)
Individual income tax is taxed according to progressive rates that range from 3% - 45%. Enterprises located in
Qianhai that hire foreign staff that are categorized as a high-end talents or talent in short supply are eligible for
goverment subsidies on a salary which exceed 15 percent of their taxable salary income.
Value-added tax (VAT)
VAT is an indirect tax that has gone through major reform, with China effectively replacing its Business tax (see
below) with VAT nationwide in August 2013. VAT tax payers are classified as:
-general tax payers (VAT rate between 6-17%)
-small-scale tax payers (VAT rate at 3%)
Small-scale tax payers are not eligible for VAT rebate, and they are unable to issue invoice, otherwise known as
'Fapiaos' in China.
Consumption tax (CT)
CT applies to 14 categories of consumable goods including tobacco, alcoholic drinks, cosmetics, jewellery, fireworks,
gasoline, diesel oil, tires, motorcycles, automobiles, golf equipment, yacht, luxury watch, disposable chopsticks and
wooden floorboard. This tax is filed and paid monthly.
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Business tax (BT)
BT applies to the provision of services (excluding processing services and repair and replacement services), the
transfer of intangible properties and the sale of real estate properties in China. Due to the VAT reform
some services are now subject to VAT and not business tax. General BT rates range from 3% - 20%, but they vary
depending on the industry, and are subject to change as China expands its VAT reform to include more industries.
Land appreciation tax
A tax levied on the income realized from the transfer of state-owned property at progressive rates ranging from 30% -
60%.
Resources tax
Tax that companies who engage in the exploitation of mineral resources such as crude oil, natural gas, coal, other
raw non-metallic minerals, raw ferrous metals, non-ferrous metallic minerals and salt (both solid and liquid) are
subject to pay.
Property tax
The owners, users or custodians of houses and buildings need to pay property tax at the applicable rate of
1.2%, calculated on the residual value minus between 10 percent and 30 percent of the original value of the property
(as determined by the local government).
Vehicle and vessel tax
A tax levied at a fixed amount annually on the owners of vehicles and vessels used in the China. Manufacturers or
importers who produce energy-saving vehicles/vessles or new energy vehicles/vessles are eligible to enjoy a half-
reduced tax rate may apply to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) for the tax incentives.
Stamp tax
A tax levied on enterprises or individuals who execute or receive "specified documentation" in China such as
contracts and accounting books with tax rates that vary between 0.3% - 1%.
Customs duties
Duties are imposed on goods imported into China and are generally assessed on the CIF (cost, insurance and
freight) value that include a total of 8.294 taxable items. The rate of duty depends on the nature and country of origin
of the imported goods.
Deed tax
A tax levied on the transferees or assignees on the purchase, gift or exchange of ownership of land use rights or real
properties, with the tax rates generally ranging from 3% - 5%.
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