China: Clarifies VAT exempt services rules
Following the launch of the Chinese VAT pilot in 2012, the Chinese tax authorities released detailed guidance on September 2013 on the rules around the exemptions for VAT on export services. The services covered by the exemptions include transport
See MoreChina: New rules on entry, exit of foreign individuals
In China, with respect to the administration of the entry and exit of foreign individuals new rules and processes are to be applied. The new ordinance (“Ordinance on the Administration of Entry and Exit of Foreign Individuals in China.”) is
See MoreChina: Resident certificate procedure for tax arrangement with Hong Kong
There was an announcement by the State Administration of Taxation (SAT) of China. And it was announced that the tax authority of Mainland China can determine tax resident status of a business or entities operating in Hong Kong. In certain
See MoreChina: Exemptions from VAT for exported services
Recently China’s State Administration of Taxation issued guidance on the rules for value added tax (VAT) exemptions for exported services. The guidance provided by Announcement 52 of 13 September 2013, implements the VAT exemptions for exported
See MoreChina: OECD publishes working paper on China’s tax policy
An OECD working paper titled “Tax policy and tax reform in the People’s Republic of China” was published on 9 September 2013. The paper makes a comparison between OECD tax policies and those in China and looks at the ratio of tax to GDP and
See MoreChina: Consumption tax on more luxury goods
China is considering broadening the scope of its consumption taxes to cover more luxury goods. This announcement comes as Chinese consumers are set to make up a third of luxury consumption globally by 2015, up from 27 percent in 2012. China already
See MoreChina: Tax exemption for small and micro-sized enterprises
The Chinese Finance Ministry (MOF) and the State Administration of Taxation (SAT) have announced VAT and business tax exemptions for small-sized businesses on 29th July 2013 and the new measure has come into effect from 1st August 2013. This
See MoreChina signs agreement for mutual assistance in tax matters
China signed the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance on 27 August 2013 in Tax Matters. The Convention provides a framework for cooperation between tax authorities to exchange tax information. The OECD and the G20 are
See MoreChina: Eligibility of software enterprises for corporate income tax incentives
To clarify the rules concerning software enterprises that are eligible for certain corporate income tax incentives, China’s State Administration of Taxation has issued guidance on the issues arising in qualifying for these incentives. According
See MoreChina: Introduction of VAT on transportation charges
In China freight charges are now subject to a 6 percent value-added tax (VAT) rate. The circular Cai Shui No. 37 (Circular 37/2013) repeals the initial VAT policies which were introduced in 1st January 2012. The change, outlined in Cai Shui No.
See MoreNew Tax Treaty between China and Netherlands
The People’s Republic of China and the Netherlands signed a new tax treaty on 31 March 2013, which is expected to replace the current tax treaty of 1987. Under the new treaty, a building site, or construction, assembly or installation project or
See MoreChina and Switzerland Free Trade Agreement signed
A bilateral free trade agreement was signed on 6 July 2013 between China and Switzerland in Beijing. It is expected to enter into effect in 2014. It contains provisions on the protection of intellectual property rights. In order to combat
See MoreChina: Selecting the appropriate transfer pricing method in the automotive sector
China’s State Administration of Taxation (SAT) takes the view that locally-based automotive enterprises that are apparently carrying out activities with limited function and risk are in fact performing valuable marketing efforts in China. The tax
See MoreChina: Draft revisions to the tax collection and administration law
China’s Tax Collection and Administration (Law) which is the basic procedural law governs China’s tax administrative matters. It became effective from 1 January 1993. The Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council announced the
See MoreChina: VAT rate on coalbed methane, shale gas production
The State Administration of Taxation of China has issued guidance according to which oil and gas companies engaging in coalbed methane and shale gas production—or providing production services for coalbed methane and shale gas production are
See MoreNetherlands and China tax treaty is signed
A new China and Netherlands Income Tax Treaty was signed on 31 May 2013 in Beijing. Once in force, the new treaty will replace the current Income Tax Treaty of 1987. Neither treaty party can terminate this treaty before 30 June of the calendar year
See MoreChina: Taxable presence of foreign entity’s seconded workers
Recently a guidance concerning when the cross-border secondment of expatriate workers by foreign enterprises into China may give rise to a taxable presence in China is issued by the China’s State Administration of Taxation. Factors taken into
See MoreChina: Permitted Industry Catalogue published for Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone
For the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone, the Permitted Industry Catalogue was issued in March 2013. This sets out six permitted industries which include financial services, modern logistics, information services,
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