2 Comments

"Keeping in mind the fact that China neither requires the filing of income tax returns nor taxes small businesses on the basis of profit or turnover" - small businesses do seem to incur some tax although it is lower than in many Western countries, for example corporation tax for companies with under CNY1m turnover is currently 2.5% of profits https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/peoples-republic-of-china/corporate/taxes-on-corporate-income and personal income from an unincorporated business is taxed progressively at rates from 5% to 35% https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/peoples-republic-of-china/individual/taxes-on-personal-income .

Regarding tax returns, there may be no need to submit one for employees whose full income tax liability happens to be processed through their employer's payroll, but others will need to; this system is the same as the UK for example. https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/peoples-republic-of-china/individual/tax-administration

Expand full comment
author
Nov 24, 2022·edited Nov 24, 2022Author

The reality is different from the Price Waterhouse ivory tower ;) Most small businesses do not even keep books tracking profits and losses. As for individuals, it is extremely rare for anyone to file a tax return. I would not even know how to do so if I wanted to.

Expand full comment