RULES FOR THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INCOME TAX LAW OF THE PEOPLE'S
REPUBLIC OF CHINA FOR ENTERPRISES WITH FOREIGN INVESTMENT
AND FOREIGN ENTERPRISES
Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1 These Rules are formulated
in accordance with the provisions of Article 29 of the
Income Tax Law of the People's Republic of China for
Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises
(hereinafter referred to as the "Tax Law").
Article 2 "Income from production
and business operations" mentioned in Article 1,
paragraph 1 and paragraph 2 of the Tax Law means income
from production and business operations in manufacturing,
mining, communications and transportation, construction
and installation, agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry,
fishery, water conservation, commerce, finance, service
industries, exploration and exploitation, and in other
trades. "Income from other sources" mentioned
in Article 1, paragraph 1 and paragraph 2 of the Tax
Law means profits (dividends), interest, rents, income
from the transfer of property, income from the provision
or transfer of patents, proprietary technology, income
from trademark rights and copyrights as well as other
non-business income.
Article 3 "Enterprises with foreign
investment" mentioned in Article 2, paragraph 1
of the Tax Law and "foreign companies, enterprises
and other economic organizations which have establishments
or places in China and engage in production or business
operations" mentioned in Article 2, paragraph 2
of the Tax Law are, unless otherwise especially specified,
generally all referred to as "enterprises"
in these Rules. "Establishments or places"
mentioned in Article 2, paragraph 2 of the Tax Law refers
to management organizations, business organizations,
administrative organizations and places for factories
and the exploitation of natural resources, places for
contracting of construction, installation, assembly,
and exploration work, places for the provision of labor
services, and business agents.
Article 4 "Business agents"
mentioned in Article 3, paragraph 2 of these Rules means
companies, enterprises and other economic organizations
or individuals entrusted by foreign enterprises to engage
as agents in any of the following:
(1) representing principals on a regular
basis in the arranging of purchases and signing of purchase
contracts and the purchasing of commodities on commission;
(2) entering into agency agreements
or contracts with principals, storing on a regular basis
products or commodities owned by principals, and delivering
on behalf of principals such products or commodities
to other parties; and
(3) having authority to represent principals
on a regular basis in signing of sales contracts or
in accepting of purchase orders.
Article 5 "Head office" mentioned
in Article 3 of the Tax Law refers to the central organization
which is established in China by an enterprise with
foreign investment as a legal person pursuant to the
laws of China and which is responsible for the management,
operations and control over such enterprise. Income
from production and business operations and other income
derived by the branches within or outside China of an
enterprise with foreign investment shall be consolidated
by the head office for purposes of the payment of income
tax.
Article 6 "Income derived from
sources inside China" mentioned in Article 3 of
the Tax Law refers to:
(1) income from production and business
operations derived by enterprises with foreign investment
and foreign enterprises which have establishments or
places in China, as well as profits (dividends), interest,
rents, royalties and other income arising within or
outside China actually connected with establishments
or sites established in China by enterprises with foreign
investment or foreign enterprises;
(2) the following income received by
foreign enterprises which have no establishments or
sites in China: (a) profits (dividends) earned by enterprises
in China; (b) interest derived within China such as
on deposits or loans, interest on bonds, interest on
payments made provisionally for others, and deferred
payments; (c) rentals on property leased to and used
by lessees in China; (d) royalties such as those received
from the provision of patents, proprietary technology,
trademarks and copyrights for use in China; (e) gains
from the transfer of property, such as houses, buildings,
structures and attached facilities located in China
and from the assignment of land-use rights within China;
(f) other income derived from China and stipulated by
the Ministry of Finance to be subject to tax.
Article 7 In respect of Chinese-foreign
contractual joint ventures that do not constitute legal
persons, each partner thereto may separately compute
and pay income tax in accordance with the relevant tax
laws and regulations of the State; income tax may, upon
approval by the local tax authorities of an application
submitted by such enterprises, be computed and paid
on a consolidated basis in accordance with the provisions
of the Tax Law.
Article 8 "Tax year" mentioned
in Article 4 of the Tax Law begins on January 1 and
ends on December 31 under the Gregorian Calendar. Foreign
enterprises that have difficulty computing taxable income
inaccordance with the tax year stipulated in the Tax
Law may, upon approval by the local tax authorities
of an application submitted by such enterprises, use
their own 12-month fiscal year as the tax year. Enterprises
commencing business operations in the middle of a tax
year or actually operating for a period of less than
12 months in any tax year due to such factors as merger
or shut-down shall use the actual period of operations
as the tax year. Enterprises that undergo liquidation
shall use the period of liquidation as the tax year.
Article 9 "The competent authority
for tax affairs under the State Council" mentioned
in Article 8, paragraph 3 and Article 19, paragraph
3, Item (4) of the Tax Law and Article 72 of these Rules
refers to the Ministry of Finance and the State Tax
Bureau.
Chapter II Computation of Taxable Income
Article 10 "The formula for the
computation of taxable income" mentioned in Article
4 of the Tax Law is as follows:
(1) Manufacturing:
(a) taxable income = (profit on sales)
+ (profit from other operations) + (non-business income)
- (non-business expenses);
(b) profit on sales = (net sales) -
(cost of products sold) - (taxes on sales) - [ (selling
expenses) + (administrative expenses) + (finance expenses)
];
(c) net sales = (gross sales) - [ (sales
returns) + (sales discounts and allowances) ];
(d) cost of products sold = (cost of
products manufactured for the period) + (inventory of
finished products at the beginning of the period) -
(inventory of finished products at the end of the period);
(e) cost of products manufactured for
the period = (manufacturing costs for the period) +
(inventory of semi-finished products and products in
process at the beginning of the period) - (inventory
of semi-finished products and products in process at
the end of the period);
(f) manufacturing costs for the period
= (direct materials consumed in production for the period)
+ (direct labour) + (manufacturing expenses).
(2) Commerce:
(a) taxable income = (profit on sales)
+ (profit from other operations) + (non-business income)
- (non-business expenses);
(b) profit on sales = (net sales) -
(cost of sales) - (taxes on sales) - [ (selling expenses)
+ (administrative expenses) + (finance expenses) ];
(c) net sales = (gross sales) - [ (sales
returns) + (sales discounts and allowances) ];
(d) cost of sales = (inventory of merchandise
at the beginning of the period) + { (purchase of merchandise
during the period) - [ (purchase returns) + (purchase
discounts and allowances) ] + (purchasing expenses)
} - (inventory of merchandise at the end of the period).
(3) Service trades:
(a) taxable income = (net business income)
+ (non-operating income) -(non- operating expenses);
(b) net business income = (gross business
income) - [ (taxes on business income) + (operating
expenses) + (administrative expenses) + (finance expenses)
].
(4) Other lines of business: Computations
shall be made with reference to the above formulas.
Article 11 The computation of taxable
income of an enterprise shall, in principle, be on an
accrual basis. The following income from business operations
of an enterprise may be determined by stages and used
as the basis for the computation of taxable income:
(1) Where products or commodities are
sold by instalment payment methods, income from sales
may be recognized according to the invoice date of the
products or commodities to be delivered; income from
sales may also be recognized according to the date of
payment to be made by the buyer as agreed upon in the
contract;
(2) Where construction, installation
and assembly projects, and provision of labour services
extend beyond one year, income may be recognized according
to the progress of the project or the amount of work
completed;
(3) Where the processing or manufacturing
of heavy machinery, equipments and ships for other enterprises
extends beyond one year, income may be recognized according
to the progress of the project or amount of work completed.
Article 12 Where Chinese-foreign contractual
joint ventures operate on the basis of product-sharing,
the partners thereto shall be deemed to receive income
at the time of the division of the products; the amount
of income shall be computed according to the price sold
to third party or with reference to prevailing market
prices. Where foreign enterprises are engaged in the
co-operative exploration of petroleum resources, the
partners thereto shall be deemed to receive income at
the time of the division of the crude oil; the amount
of income shall be computed according to a price which
is adjusted periodically with reference to the international
market prices of crude oil of similar quality.
Article 13 In respect of income obtained
by enterprises in the form of non-monetary assets or
rights and interests, such income shall be computed
or appraised with reference to prevailing market prices.
Article 14 "Exchange rate quoted
by the State exchange control authorities" mentioned
in Article 21 of the Tax Law refers to the buying rate
quoted by the State Administration of Exchange Control.
Article 15 In respect of income obtained
by enterprises in foreign currency, upon payment of
income tax in quarterly instalments in accordance with
the provisions of Article 15 of the Tax Law, taxable
income shall be computed by converting the income into
Renminbi according to the exchange rate quotation on
the last day of the quarter. At the time of final settlement
following the end of the year, no recomputation and
reconversion need be made in respect of income in a
foreign currency for which tax has already been paid
on a quarterly basis; only that portion of the foreign
currency income of the entire year for which tax has
not been paid shall, in respect of the computation of
taxable income, be converted into Renminbi according
to the exchange rate quotation on the last day of the
tax year.
Article 16 Where an enterprise is unable
to provide complete and accurate certificates of costs
and expenses and is unable to correctly compute taxable
income, the local tax authorities shall determine the
rate of profit and compute taxable income with reference
to the profit level of other enterprises in the same
or similar trade. Where an enterprise is unable to provide
complete and accurate certificates of revenues and is
unable to report income correctly, the local tax authorities
shall appraise and determine taxable income by the use
of such methods as cost (expense) plus reasonable profits.
When the tax authorities appraise and determine profit
rates or revenues in accordance with the provisions
of the preceding paragraph, and where other treatment
is provided by the laws, regulations and rules, such
other treatment shall be applicable.
Article 17 Foreign air transportation
and ocean shipping enterprises engaged in international
transport business shall use 5% of the gross revenues
from passenger and cargo transport and shipping services
arising within China as taxable income.
Article 18 Where an enterprise with
foreign investment invests in another enterprise within
China, the profits (dividends) so obtained from the
enterprise receiving such investment may be excluded
from taxable income of the enterprise; however, expenses
and losses incurred in such above-mentioned investments
shall not be deducted from taxable income of the enterprise.
Article 19 Unless otherwise stipulated
by the State, the following items shall not be itemized
as costs, expenses or losses in the computation of taxable
income:
(1) expenses in connection with the
acquisition or construction of fixed assets;
(2) expenses in connection with the
transfer or development of intangible assets;
(3) interest on capital;
(4) various income tax payments;
(5) fines for illegal business operations
and losses due to the confiscation of property;
(6) surcharges and fines for overdue
payment of taxes;
(7) the portion of losses due to natural
disasters or accidents for which there has been compensation;
(8) donations and contributions other
than those used in China for public welfare or relief
purposes;
(9) royalties paid to the head office;
(10) other expenses not related to production
or business operations.
Article 20 Reasonable administrative
expenses paid by a foreign enterprise with an establishment
or site in China to the head office in connection with
production or business operations of the establishment
or site shall be permitted to be itemized as expenses
following agreement by the local tax authorities after
an examination and verification of documents of proof
issued by the head office in respect of the scope of
the administrative expenses, total amounts, the basis
and methods of allocation, which shall be provided together
with an accompanying verification report of a certified
public accountant. Administrative expenses in connection
with production and business operations shall be allocated
reasonably between enterprises with foreign investment
and their branches.
Article 21 Reasonable interest payments
incurred on loans in connection with production and
business operations shall be permitted to be itemized
as expenses following agreement by the local tax authorities
after an examination and verification of documents of
proof, which shall be provided by the enterprises in
respect of the loans and interest payments. Interest
paid on loans used by enterprises for the purchase or
construction of fixed assets or the transfer or development
of intangible assets prior to the assets being put into
use shall be included in the original value of the assets.
"Reasonable interest" mentioned in the first
paragraph of this Article refers to interest computed
at a rate not higher than normal commercial lending
rates.
Article 22 Entertainment expenses incurred
by enterprises in connection with production and business
operations shall, when supported by authentic records
or invoices and vouchers, be permitted to be itemized
as expenses subject to the following limits:
(1) Where annual net sales are 15 million
yuan (RMB) or less, not to exceed 0.5% of net sales;
for that portion of annual net sales that exceeds 15
million yuan (RMB), not to exceed 0.3% of that portion
of net sales.
(2) Where annual gross business income
is 5 million yuan (RMB) or less, not to exceed 1% of
annual gross business income; for that portion of annual
gross business income that exceeds 5 million yuan (RMB),
not to exceed 0.5% of that portion of annual gross business
income.
Article 23 Exchange gains or losses
incurred by enterprises during preconstruction or during
production and business operations shall, except as
otherwise provided by the State, be appropriately itemized
as gains or losses for that respective period.
Article 24 Salaries and wages, and benefits
and allowances paid by enterprises to employees shall
be permitted to be itemized as expenses following agreement
by the local tax authorities after an examination and
verification of the submission of wage scales and supporting
documents and relevant materials. Foreign social security
premiums paid by enterprises to employees working in
China shall not be itemized as expenses.
Article 25 Enterprises engaged in such
businesses as credit and leasing operations may, on
the basis of actual requirements and following approval
by the local tax authorities of a report thereon, provide
year-by-year bad debt provisions, the amount of which
shall not exceed 3% of the amount of the year-end loan
balances (not including inter-bank loans) or the amount
of accounts receivable, bills receivable and other such
receivables, to be deducted from taxable income of that
year. The portion of the actual bad debt losses incurred
by an enterprise which exceeds the bad debt provisions
of the preceding year may be itemized as a loss in the
current year; the portion less than the bad debt provisions
of the previous year shall be included in taxable income
of the current year. Bad debt losses mentioned in the
preceding paragraph shall be subject to approval after
examination and verification by the local tax authorities.
Article 26 "Bad debt losses"
mentioned in Article 25, paragraph 2 of these Rules
refers to the following accounts receivable:
(1) due to the bankruptcy of the debtor,
collection is still not possible after the use of the
bankruptcy assets for settlement;
(2) due to the death of the debtor,
collection is still not possible after the use of the
estate for repayment;
(3) due to the failure of the debtor
to fulfil repayment obligations for over two years,
collection is still not possible.
Article 27 Accounts receivable already
itemized as bad debt losses which are recovered in full
or in part by an enterprise in a subsequent year shall
be included in taxable income of the year of recovery.
Article 28 Foreign enterprises with
establishments or places in China may, except as otherwise
provided by the State, deduct as expenses foreign income
tax, which has been paid on profits (dividends), interest,
rents, royalties and other income received from outside
China and actually connected with such establishments
or places.
Article 29 "Net assets or remaining
property" mentioned in Article 18 of the Tax Law
means the amount of all assets or property following
deduction of various liabilities and losses upon the
liquidation of an enterprise.
Chapter III Tax Treatment for Assets
Article 30 "Fixed assets of enterprises"
means houses, buildings and structures, machinery, mechanical
apparatus, means of transport and other such equipment,
appliances and tools related to production and business
operations with a useful life of one year or more. Items
not in the nature of major equipment which are used
for production or business operations and which have
a unit value of 2,000 yuan (RMB) or less, or with a
useful life of two years or less may be itemized as
expenses on the basis of actual consumption.
Article 31 The valuation of fixed assets
shall be based on original cost. The original cost of
purchased fixed assets shall be the purchase price plus
transportation expenses, installation expenses and other
related expenses incurred prior to the use of the assets.
The original cost of fixed assets manufactured or constructed
by an enterprise itself shall be the actual expenses
incurred in their manufacture or construction. The original
cost of fixed assets treated as investments shall, giving
consideration to the degree of wear and tear of the
fixed assets, be such reasonable price as is specified
in the contract, or a price appraised with reference
to the relevant market price plus the relevant expenses
incurred prior to the use thereof.
Article 32 Depreciation of fixed assets
of an enterprise shall be computed commencing with the
month following the month in which they are first put
into use. The computation of depreciation shall cease
in the month following the month in which the fixed
assets cease to be used. All investments made during
the development stage by enterprises engaged in the
exploitation of oil resources shall, taking the oil
(gas) field as a unit, be aggregated and treated as
capital expenditures; the computation of depreciation
shall begin in the month following the month in which
the oil (gas) field commences commercial production.
Article 33 In respect of the computation
of depreciation of fixed assets, the salvage value shall
first be estimated and deducted from the original cost
of the assets. The salvage value shall not be less than
10% of the original value; any request for retaining
a lower salvage value or not salvage value must be approved
by the local tax authorities.
Article 34 Depreciation of fixed assets
shall be computed using the straight-line method. Where
it is necessary to use any other method of depreciation,
an application may be filed by an enterprise which,
following examination and verification by the local
tax authorities, shall be reported level-by- level to
the State Tax Bureau for approval.
Article 35 The computation of the minimum
useful life in respect of the depreciation of fixed
assets is as follows:
(1) for houses and buildings: 20 years;
(2) for railway rolling stock, ships,
machinery, mechanical apparatus, and other production
equipment: 10 years;
(3) for electronic equipment and means
of transport other than railway rolling stock and ships,
as well as as such fixtures, tools and furnishings related
to production and business operations: 5 years.
Article 36 Depreciation of fixed assets
in the nature of investments during the development
stage and subsequent stages of an enterprise engaged
in the exploitation of oil resources may be computed
on a consolidated basis without retaining salvage value;
the period of depreciation shall not be less than six
years.
Article 37 "Houses and buildings"
mentioned in Article 35, Item (1) of these Rules means
houses, buildings and attached structures used for production
and business operations, and living quarters and welfare
facilities for employees, the scope of which is as follows:
-- houses, including factory buildings,
business premises, office buildings, warehouses, residential
buildings, canteens, and other such buildings;
-- buildings, including towers, ponds,
troughs, wells, racks, sheds (not including temporary,
simply constructed structures such as work sheds and
vehicle sheds), fields, roads, bridges, platforms, piers,
docks, culverts, gas stations as well as pipes, smokestacks,
and enclosing walls that are detached from buildings,
machinery and equipment; Facilities attached to buildings
and structures mean auxiliary facilities that are inseparable
from buildings and structures and for which no separate
value is computed, including, for example, building
and structure ventilation and drainage systems, oil
pipelines, communication and power lines, elevators
and sanitation equipment.
Article 38 The scope of railway rolling
stock, ships, machinery, mechanical apparatus and other
production equipment mentioned in Article 35, Item (2)
of these Rules is as follows:
-- "railway rolling stock"
includes various types of locomotives, passenger coaches,
freight cars, as well as auxiliary facilities on rolling
stock for which no separate value is computed;
-- "ships" includes various
types of motor ships as well as auxiliary facilities
on ships for which no separate value is computed;
--"machinery, mechanical apparatus
and other production equipment" includes various
types of machinery, mechanical apparatus, machinery
units, production lines, as well as auxiliary equipment
such as various types of power, transport and conduction
equipment.
Article 39 The scope of electronic equipment,
means of transport other than railway rolling stock
and ships mentioned in Article 35, Item (3) of these
Rules is as follows:
-- "electronic equipment"
means equipment comprising mainly integrated circuits,
transistors, electron tubes and other electronic components
whose primary functions are to bring into use the application
of electronic technology (including software), including
computers as well as computer-controlled robots, and
digital-control or program-control systems.
-- "means of transport other than
railway rolling stock and ships" includes airplanes,
automobiles, trams, tractors, motor bikes (boats), motorized
sailboats, sailboats, and other means of transport.
Article 40 Where, for special reasons,
it is necessary to shorten the useful life of fixed
assets, an application may be submitted by an enterprise
to the local tax authorities which following examination
and verification shall be reported level-by-level to
the State Tax Bureau for approval. Fixed assets which
for special reasons as mentioned in the preceding paragraph
require the useful life to be shortened include:
(1) machinery and equipment subject
to strong corrosion by acid or alkali and factory buildings
and structures subject to constant shaking and vibration;
(2) machinery and equipment operated
continually year-round for the purpose of raising the
utilization rate or increasing the intensity of use;
(3) fixed assets of a Chinese-foreign
contractual joint venture having a period of cooperation
shorter than the useful life specified in Article 35
of these Rules and which will be left with the Chinese
party upon termination of the cooperation.
Article 41 Enterprises which acquire
used fixed assets having a remaining useful life shorter
than the useful life specified in Article 35 of these
Rules may, following agreement by the local tax authorities
after examination and verification of certifying documents
so submitted, compute depreciation according to the
remaining useful life.
Article 42 Where expenditures incur
during the course of the use of fixed assets due to
increased value caused by expansion, replacement, reconstruction
and technical innovation of fixed assets, the original
value of fixed assets shall be increased; where the
period of use of fixed assets can be extended, the useful
life shall be appropriately extended and the computation
of depreciation adjusted accordingly.
Article 43 No further depreciation shall
be allowed in respect of fixed assets which can be continued
to be used after having been fully depreciated.
Article 44 The balance of proceeds from
the transfer or disposal of fixed assets by an enterprise
shall, after deduction of the underpreciated amount
or the salvage value and handling fees, be entered into
the profit and loss account for the current year.
Article 45 Depreciation of fixed assets
received as gifts by enterprises may be computed on
the basis of reasonable valuation.
Article 46 Patents, proprietary technology,
trademarks, copyrights, land-use rights and other intangible
assets of enterprises shall be appraised on the basis
of the original value. For alienated intangible assets,
the original value shall be the actual amount paid based
on a reasonable price. For self-developed intangible
assets, the original value shall be the actual amount
of expenditure incurred in the course of development.
For intangible assets used as investment, the original
value shall be such reasonable price as is stipulated
in the agreement or contract.
Article 47 The amortization of intangible
assets shall be computed using the straight-line method.
Intangible assets transferred or assigned or used as
investments, where the useful life is stipulated in
the agreement or contract, may be amortized over the
period of that useful life; the amortization period
in respect of intangible assets for which no useful
life has been stipulated or which have been developed
internally shall not be less than ten years.
Article 48 Reasonable exploration expenses
incurred by enterprises engaged in the exploitation
of petroleum resources may be amortized against income
from oil (gas) fields that have already commenced commercial
production. The amortization period shall not be less
than one year. Where operation of a contract field owned
by a foreign oil company is terminated due to failure
to find commercially viable oil (gas), and where ownership
of the contract for the exploitation of petroleum (gas)
resources is not continued and management organizations
or offices for carrying on operations for the exploitation
of petroleum (gas) resources are no longer maintained
in China, reasonable exploration expenses already incurred
in respect of the terminated contract field shall, upon
examination and confirmation and the issuance of certification
by the tax authorities, be permitted to be amortized
against production income of a newly owned contract
field when the new contract for cooperative exploitation
of oil (gas) resources is signed within ten years from
the date of the termination of the old contract.
Article 49 Expenses incurred by enterprises
during the period of organization shall be amortized
beginning with the month following the month in which
production and business operations commence; the period
of amortization shall not be less than five years. The
period of organization mentioned in the preceding paragraph
means the period from the date of approval of the organization
of the enterprise to the date of commencement of production
and business operations (including trial production
and trial business operations).
Article 50 Inventories of merchandise,
finished products, goods in process, semi- finished
products, raw materials, and other such materials of
enterprises shall be valued at cost.
Article 51 Enterprises may choose one
of the following such methods: first-in, first-out;
moving average; weighted average or last-in, first-out
as the method of computing actual costs in respect of
the delivery or receipt and use of goods in stock. Once
a method of valuation has been adopted for use, no change
shall be made thereto. Where a change in the method
of valuation is indeed necessary, the matter shall be
reported to the local tax authorities for approval prior
to the commencement of the next tax year.
Chapter IV Business Dealings Between
Associated Enterprises
Article 52 "Associated enterprises"
mentioned in Article 13 of the Tax Law refers to companies,
enterprises and other economic units that have any of
the following relationships with other enterprises:
(1) relationships in respect of existing
direct or indirect ownership of or control over such
matters as finances, business operations or purchases
and sales;
(2) direct or indirect ownership of
or control over it and another by a third party;
(3) any other relationship in respect
of an association of reciprocal interests.
Article 53 "Business transactions
between independent enterprises" mentioned in Article
13 of the Tax Law means business dealings carried out
between unassociated and unrelated enterprises on the
basis of arm's length prices and common business practices.
Enterprises have a duty to provide to the local tax
authorities relevant materials such as standard prices
and charges in respect of business dealings with their
associated enterprises.
Article 54 Where prices in respect of
purchase and sales transactions between an enterprise
and its associated enterprises are not based on independent
business dealings, adjustments may be made thereto by
the local tax authorities according to the following
arrangements and methods of determination:
(1) based on prices of the same or similar
business activities between independent enterprises;
(2) based on the level of profits obtained
from resales in respect of unassociated and unrelated
third party prices;
(3) based on costs plus reasonable expenses
and profit margin;
(4) based on any other reasonable method.
Article 55 Where interest paid or received
in respect of accommodating financing between an enterprise
and an associated enterprise exceeds or is lower than
the amount that would be agreed upon by unassociated
and unrelated parties, or where the rate of interest
exceeds or is lower than the normal rate of interest
in respect of similar business, adjustments may be made
hereto by the local tax authorities with reference to
normal rates of interest.
Article 56 Where labour service fees
paid or received in respect of the provision of labour
services by an enterprise to an associated enterprise
are not based on business dealings between independent
enterprises, adjustments may be made thereto by the
local tax authorities with reference to the normal fee
standards of similar labour activities.
Article 57 Where the valuation or the
receipt or payment of usage fees in respect of such
business dealings as the transfer of property or the
granting of rights to the use of property between an
enterprise and an associated enterprise is not based
on business dealings between independent enterprises,
adjustments may be made thereto by the local tax authorities
with reference to amounts that would be agreed to by
unassociated and unrelated parties.
Article 58 Management fees paid by an
enterprise to an associated enterprise shall not be
expensed.
Chapter V Withholding at Source
Article 59 "Taxable income on profits,
interest, rents, royalties and other income" mentioned
in Article 19, paragraph 1 of the Tax Law shall, except
as otherwise stipulated by the State, be computed on
the basis of gross income. Gross royalties obtained
from the provision of patents and proprietary technology
include fees for blueprint materials, technical services
and personnel training, as well as other related fees.
Article 60 "Profits" mentioned
in Article 19 of the Tax Law means income derived from
the right to profits according to the proportion of
investment, equity rights, stockholding, or other non-debt
profit-sharing rights.
Article 61 "Other income"
mentioned in Article 19 of the Tax Law includes gains
from the transfer of property such as houses, buildings
and structures and attached facilities within China
and land-use rights. "Gains" mentioned in
the preceding paragraph means the amount remaining from
the receipt on transfer minus the original value of
the property. Where foreign enterprises are unable to
provide correct certification of the original value
of the property, the original value of the property
shall be determined by the local tax authorities according
to the specific circumstances thereof.
Article 62 "The amount of payment"
mentioned in Article 19, paragraph 2 of the Tax Law
means cash payments, payment by remittances, and amounts
paid by account transfers, as well as amounts in equivalent
cash value paid in non-cash assets or rights and interests.
Article 63 "Profits obtained from
an enterprise with foreign investment" mentioned
in Article 19, paragraph 3, Item (1) of the Tax Law
means income obtained from profits of an enterprise
with foreign investment following the payment or the
reduction of or exemption from income tax in accordance
with the provisions of the Tax Law.
Article 64 "International finance
organizations" mentioned in Article 19, paragraph
3, Item (2) of the Tax Law means financial institutions
such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank,
the Asian Development Bank, the International Development
Association, and the International Fund for Agricultural
Development.
Article 65 "Chinese State banks"
mentioned in Article 19, paragraph 3, Item (2) and Item
(3) of the Tax Law means the People's Bank of China,
the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the Agricultural
Bank of China, the Bank of China, the People's Construction
Bank of China, the Bank of Communications of China,
the Investment Bank of China, and other financial institutions
authorized by the State Council to engage in credit
businesses such as foreign exchange deposits and loans.
Article 66 The scope of the reduction
of or exemption from income tax on royalties provided
for in Article 19, paragraph 3, Item (4) of the Tax
Law is as follows:
(1) royalties received in providing
proprietary technology for the development of farming,
forestry, animal husbandry and fisheries:
(a) technology provided to improve soil
and grasslands, develop barren mountainous regions and
make full use of natural conditions;
(b) technology provided for the supplying
of new varieties of animals and plants and for the production
of pesticides of high effectiveness and low toxicity;
(c) technology provided such as to advance
scientific production management in respect of farming,
forestry, fisheries and animal husbandry, to preserve
the ecological balance, and to strengthen resistance
to natural calamities;
(2) royalties received in providing
proprietary technology for scientific institutions,
institutions of higher learning and other scientific
research units to conduct or cooperate in carrying out
scientific research or scientific experimentation;
(3) royalties received in providing
proprietary technology for the development of energy
resources and expansion of communications and transportation;
(4) royalties received in providing
proprietary technology in respect of energy conservation
and the prevention and control of environmental pollution;
(5) royalties received in providing
the following proprietary technology in respect of the
development of important fields of science and technology:
(a) production technology for major
and advanced mechanical and electrical equipment:
(b) nuclear power technology;
(c) production technology for large-scale
integrated circuits;
(d) production technology for photoelectric
integrated circuits, microwave semi-conductors and microwave
integrated circuits, and manufacturing technology for
microwave electron tubes;
(e) manufacturing technology for ultra-high
speed computers and microprocessors;
(f) optical telecommunications technology;
(g) technology for long-distance, ultra-high
voltage direct current power transmission; and
(h) technology for the liquefaction,
gasification and comprehensive utilization of coal.
Article 67 In respect of income of foreign
enterprises engaged in China in construction, installation,
assembly, and exploration contracting work, and provision
of labour activities such as consulting, management
and training, the tax authorities may designate the
parties paying the contracted amounts and labour service
fees as tax withholding agents.
Chapter VI Tax Preferences
Article 68 Pursuant to the provisions
of Article 6 of the Tax Law, the granting of any necessary
preferential treatment in respect of enterprise income
tax to enterprises with foreign investment that are
encouraged by the State shall be implemented in accordance
with the provisions of the relevant laws and administrative
rules and regulations of the State.
Article 69 "Special economic zones"
mentioned in Article 7, paragraph 1 of the Tax law means
the special economic zones of Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shantou
and Xiamen and the Hainan Special Economic Zone established
by law or established upon approval of the State Council;
"economic and technological development zones"
mentioned therein means the economic and technological
development zones in the coastal port cities established
upon approval of the State Council.
Article 70 "Coastal economic open
zones" mentioned in Article 7, paragraph 2 of the
Tax Law means those cities, counties and districts established
as coastal economic open zones upon approval of the
State Council.
Article 71 "Imposition of enterprise
income tax at the reduced rate of 15%" mentioned
in Article 7, paragraph 1 of the Tax Law shall be limited
to income obtained by enterprises from production and
business operations in the respective areas so specified
in Article 7, paragraph 1 of the Tax Law. "Imposition
of enterprise income tax at the reduced rate of 24%"
mentioned in Article 7, paragraph 2 of the Tax Law shall
be limited to income obtained by enterprises from production
and business operations in the respective areas so specified
in Article 7, paragraph 2 of the Tax Law.
Article 72 "Enterprises with foreign
investment of a production nature" mentioned in
Article 7, paragraph 1 and paragraph 2 and Article 8,
paragraph 1 of the Tax Law means enterprises with foreign
investment engaged in the following industries:
(1) machine manufacturing and electronics
industries;
(2) energy resource industries (not
including exploitation of oil and natural gas);
(3) metallurgical, chemical and building
material industries;
(4) light industries, and textiles and
packaging industries;
(5) medical equipment and pharmaceutical
industries;
(6) agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry,
fisheries and water conservation;
(7) construction industries;
(8) communications and transportation
industries (not including passenger transport);
(9) development of science and technology,
geological survey and industrial information consultancy
directly for services in respect of production and services
in respect of repair and maintenance of production equipment
and precision instruments;
(10) other industries as specified by
the tax authorities under the State Council.
Article 73 "Imposition of enterprise
income tax at the reduced rate of 15%" mentioned
in Article 7, paragraph 3 of the Tax Law applies to
the following:
(1) production-oriented enterprises
with foreign investment established in the coastal economic
open zones, special economic zones and in the old urban
districts of municipalities where economic and technological
development zones are located and which are engaged
in the following projects:
(a) technology-intensive or knowledge-intensive
projects;
(b) projects with foreign investments
of over US $ 30 million and having long periods for
return on investment;
(c) energy resource, transportation
and port construction projects;
(2) Chinese-foreign equity joint ventures
engaged in port and dock construction;
(3) financial institutions such as foreign
capital banks and Chinese-foreign banks established
in the special economic zones and other areas approved
by the State Council, where the capital contribution
of the foreign investor or the funds for business activities
allocated by the head office bank to the branch bank
exceeds US $ 10 million, and where the period of operations
is ten years or more;
(4) production-oriented enterprises
with foreign investment established in the Pudong New
Area of Shanghai, as well as enterprises with foreign
investment engaged in energy resource and transport
construction projects such as airports, ports, railways,
highways and power stations;
(5) enterprises with foreign investment
recognized as high or new technology enterprises established
in the State high or new technology industrial development
zones designated by the State Council, as well as enterprises
with foreign investment recognized as new technology
enterprises established in the new technology industrial
development experimental zone of the municipality of
Beijing;
(6) enterprises with foreign investment
engaged in projects encouraged by the State and established
in other areas stipulated by the State Council. Enterprises
with foreign investment in projects listed in Item (1)
of the preceding paragraph shall, following approval
by the State Tax Bureau of an application submitted
by such enterprises, be subject to enterprises income
tax at the reduced tax rate of 15%.
Article 74 "The period of business
operations" mentioned in Article 8, paragraph 1
of the Tax Law means the period commencing on the date
an enterprise with foreign investment actually begins
production or business operations (including trial production
and trial business operations) and ending on the date
the enterprise ceases production or business operations.
Enterprises with foreign investment that pursuant to
the provisions of Article 8, paragraph 1 of the Tax
Law may enjoy treatment in respect of reductions of
or exemptions from enterprise income tax shall submit
to the local tax authorities for examination and verification
such circumstances as the lines of business in which
engaged, names of major products, and the period of
operations decided upon. No treatment in respect of
reductions of or exemptions from enterprise income tax
shall be enjoyed without examination and verification
and agreement thereof.
Article 75 "The relevant provisions
promulgated by the State Council before the entry into
force of this Law" mentioned in Article 8, paragraph
2 of the Tax Law means the following provisions in respect
of exemptions from or reductions of enterprise income
tax promulgated or approved for promulgation by the
State Council:
(1) Chinese-foreign equity joint ventures
engaged in port and dock construction where the period
of operations is 15 years or more shall, following application
by the enterprise and approval thereof by the tax uthorities
of provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities
directly under the Central Government of the location
and commencing with the first profit-making year, be
exempt from enterprise income tax from the first year
to the fifth year and subject to enterprise income tax
at a rate reduced by one half for the sixth year through
the tenth year.
(2) Enterprises with foreign investment
established in the Hainan Special Economic Zone and
engaged in infrastructure facility projects such as
airports, harbours, docks, highways, railways, power
stations, coal mines and water conservation, and enterprises
with foreign investment engaged in the development of
and operations in agriculture where the period of operations
is 15 years or more shall, following application by
the enterprise and approval thereof by the tax authorities
of Hainan Province and commencing with the first profit-making
year, be exempt from enterprise income tax from the
first year to the fifth year and subject to enterprise
income tax at a rate reduced by one half for the sixth
year through the tenth year.
(3) Enterprises with foreign investment
established in the Pudong New Area of Shanghai and engaged
in construction projects such as airports, ports, railways,
highways and power stations where the period of operations
is 15 years or more shall, following application by
the enterprise and approval thereof by the tax authorities
of the municipality of Shanghai and commencing with
the first profit-making year, be exempt from enterprise
income tax from the first year to the fifth year and
subject to enterprise income tax at a rate reduced by
one half for the sixth year through the tenth year.
(4) Enterprises with foreign investment
established in the special economic zones and engaged
in service-oriented industries where the amount of the
foreign investment exceeds US $ 5 million and the period
of operations is ten years or more shall, following
application by the enterprise and approval thereof by
the tax authorities of the special economic zone and
commencing with the first profit-making year, be exempt
from enterprise income tax in the first year and subject
to enterprise income tax at a rate reduced by one half
for the second and third years.
(5) Financial institutions such as foreign
capital banks and Chinese- foreign banks established
in the special economic zones and other areas approved
by the State Council where the capital contribution
of the foreign investor or the funds for business activities
allocated by the head office bank to the branch bank
exceeds US $ 10 million and the period of operations
is ten years or more shall, following application by
the enterprise and approval thereof by the local tax
authorities and commencing with the first profit-making
year, be exempt from enterprise income tax in the first
year and subject to enterprise income tax at a rate
reduced by one half for the second and third years.
(6) Chinese-foreign equity joint ventures
recognized as high or new technology enterprises and
established in the State high or new technology industrial
development zones designated by the State Council where
the period of operations is ten years or more shall,
following application by the enterprise and approval
thereof by the local tax authorities and commencing
with the first profit-making year, be exempt from enterprise
income tax in the first year and second year. Enterprises
with foreign investment established in the special economic
zones and the economic and technological development
zones shall be governed by the preferential tax provisions
of the special economic zones and the economic and technological
development zones. Enterprises with foreign investment
established in the new technology industrial development
experimental zone of the municipality of Beijing shall
be governed by the preferential tax provisions of the
new technology industrial development experimental zone
of the municipality of Beijing.
(7) Export-oriented enterprises invested
in and operated by foreign businesses for which in any
year the output value of all export products amounts
to 70% or more of the output value of the products of
the enterprise for that year may pay enterprise income
tax at the tax rate specified in the Tax Law reduced
by one half after the period of enterprise income tax
exemptions or reductions has expired in accordance with
the provisions of the Tax Law. However, export-oriented
enterprises in the special economic zones and economic
and technological development zones and other such enterprises
subject to enterprise income tax at the tax rate of
15% that qualify under the above-mentioned conditions
shall pay enterprise income tax at the tax rate of 10%.
(8) Advanced technology enterprises
invested in and operated by foreign businesses which
remain advanced technology enterprises after the period
of enterprise income tax exemptions or reductions has
expired in accordance with the provisions of the Tax
Law may continue to pay for an additional three years
enterprise income tax at the tax rate specified in the
Tax Law reduced by one half.
(9) Implementation of other provisions
in respect of exemptions from or reductions of enterprise
income tax promulgated or approved for promulgation
by the State Council. Enterprises with foreign investment
shall, in applying for exemptions from or reductions
of enterprise income tax in accordance with the provisions
of Item (6), Item (7), or Item (8) of the preceding
paragraph, submit relevant documents of proof issued
by departments in respect of the examination, verification
and confirmation, the application shall be subjected
to approval by the local tax authorities after examination
and verification.
Article 76 "The first profit-making
year" mentioned in Article 8, paragraph 1 of the
Tax Law and in Article 75 of these Rules means the first
tax year in which profits are obtained by an enterprise
following commencement of production or business operations.
Where an enterprise suffers losses during the early
stages after establishment, such losses may be made
up by the income of the following tax year in accordance
with the provisions of Article 11 of the Tax Law. The
first profit-making year shall be the year in which
profits are obtained after such losses are made up.
The period for exemptions from or reductions of enterprise
income tax specified in the first paragraph of Article
8 of the Tax Law and Article 75 of these Rules shall
be computed continuously commencing with the year in
which the enterprise begins to make profits. The computation
shall not be deferred because of losses incurred in
any of the subsequent years.
Article 77 Enterprises with foreign
investment which commence operations in the middle of
a year and earn profits may, where the actual period
of operations is less than six months, choose to use
the following year as the period in which to begin the
computation of tax exemptions or tax reductions; however,
income tax shall be paid in accordance with the Tax
Law on profits earned during the year.
Article 78 Unless otherwise provided
by the State Council, the preferential tax provisions
of Article 8, paragraph 1 of the Tax Law shall not apply
to enterprises engaged in the exploitation of such natural
resources as petroleum, natural gas, rare metals and
precious metals.
Article 79 Enterprises with foreign
investment that have received exemptions from or reductions
of enterprise income tax pursuant to the provisions
of Article 8, paragraph 1 of the Tax Law and Article
75 of these Rules shall, where the actual period of
operations is less than the period stipulated therein,
except in the case of major losses sustained due to
natural disasters or unforeseen accidents, make up the
amount of the exemptions from or reductions of enterprise
income tax.
Article 80 "Direct reinvestment"
mentioned in Article 10 of the Tax Law refers to profits
received from an enterprise with foreign investment
by foreign investor of that enterprise which prior to
receipt are directly used to increase registered capital,
or which following receipt are directly used to organize
another enterprise with foreign investment. Foreign
investors shall, in computing the amount of tax refundable
in accordance with the provisions of Article 10 of the
Tax Law, provide certificates confirming the use of
the reinvested profits for the year; the local tax authorities
shall adopt any reasonable method for the reckoning
and determination thereof where certificates cannot
be provided. Foreign investors shall, in respect of
the application for a refund of tax, submit within one
year of the date of the actual investment of the reinvested
amount a record of the reinvested amount and a certificate
for the investment period of the increased capital or
contributed capital to the tax authorities in the place
where the taxes were originally paid.
Article 81 "Other preferential
provisions of the State Council" mentioned in Article
10 of the Tax Law refers to direct reinvestment in China
by foreign investors for the organization and expansion
of export-oriented enterprises or advanced technology
enterprises, as well as profits of foreign investors
earned from enterprises established in the Hainan Special
Economic Zone that are directly reinvested in the Hainan
Special Economic Zone in infrastructure projects and
agriculture development enterprises and for which the
entire portion of enterprise income tax that has already
been paid on the reinvested amount may, in accordance
with the provisions of the State Council, be refunded.
Foreign investors that apply for a refund of tax on
reinvestments in accordance with the provisions of the
preceding paragraph shall, in addition to completing
the requirements pursuant to Article 80, paragraph 2
and paragraph 3 of these Rules, submit certificates
issued by the examining, verifying and confirming departments
confirming the organization and expansion of export-oriented
enterprises or advanced technology enterprises. Enterprises
in which foreign investors have reinvested in respect
of the organization or expansion thereof which within
three years of commencing production or operations have
not achieved the standards in respect of export-oriented
enterprises or have not continued to be confirmed as
advanced technology enterprises shall repay 60% of the
amount of tax refunded.
Article 82 "Tax refunds on reinvestments"
mentioned in Article 10 of the Tax Law and Article 81,
paragraph 1 of these Rules shall be computed according
to the following formula:
Amount of tax refund = Reinvestment
amount v [1 - (originally applicable enterprise income
tax rate + local income tax rate)] X originally applicable
enterprise income tax rate X tax refund rate
Chapter VII Tax Credits
Article 83 "Income tax already
paid abroad" mentioned in Article 12 of the Tax
Law means income tax actually paid abroad by an enterprise
with foreign investment on income from sources outside
China and does not include taxes paid for which compensation
is later received or assumed by other parties.
Article 84 "The amount of tax payable
computed on income from sources outside China in accordance
with the provisions of this Law" mentioned in Article
12 of the Tax Law means the amount of tax payable computed
on taxable income arising from income from abroad of
enterprises with foreign investment, following the deduction
of costs, expenses and losses allowable in accordance
with the relevant provisions of the Tax Law and these
Rules attributable to that income. The limit of the
amount of tax payable that can be deducted shall be
computed on a country-by-country basis; the method of
computation is as follows:
Limit on deduction Total amount of tax
Amount of of tax payable on = payable on domestic *
income from income from abroad income and foreign sources
income from ---------------- abroad computed Total domestic
in accordance with income and the Tax Law income from
abroad
Article 85 Where the amount of income
tax actually paid abroad on income from sources from
abroad by enterprises with foreign investment is less
than the deductible limit resulting from computation
based on the provisions of Article 84 of these Rules,
the actual amount of income tax paid abroad may be deducted
from the amount of tax payable; where the deductible
limit is exceeded, the portion in excess shall not be
deducted from tax and shall not be itemized as an expense,
however, the portion not exceeding the limit thereof
may be used as a deduction against following year's
taxes; the time limit for such supplemental deductions
shall not exceed five years.
Article 86 The provisions of Article
83 to Article 85 of these Rules shall apply only to
enterprises with foreign investment with head offices
established within China. Enterprises with foreign investment
that deduct taxes in accordance with the provisions
of Article 12 of the Tax Law shall provide the original
tax payment certificates signed and issued by the foreign
tax authorities in respect of the same year; copies
or tax payment certificates of different years shall
not be used as tax deduction certificates.
Chapter VIII Tax Administration
Article 87 Enterprises shall, within
30 days of completing business registration, complete
tax registration with the local tax authorities. Enterprises
with foreign investment that establish or terminate
branch offices outside China shall, within 30 days of
the date of establishment or termination thereof, complete
with the local tax authorities procedures in respect
of tax registration, amendments to the registration,
or cancellation of the registration. Enterprises that
complete registrations in the preceding paragraph shall,
in accordance with the provisions, present relevant
documents, licenses and materials.
Article 88 Enterprises that undergo
important registration changes such as changes of address,
restructurings, mergers, spin-offs, terminations, as
well as changes in the amount of capital and scope of
business shall, within 30 days of the completion of
the change in business registration or prior to the
cancellation of registration, complete the change in
registration or cancellation of registration with the
local tax authorities with the relevant documents.
Article 89 Foreign enterprises which
establish two or more business organizations in China
may use one of the selected business organizations in
respect of the consolidated filing and payment of income
tax. However, the business organization so selected
shall meet the following conditions:
(1) assumption of supervisory and management
responsibility over the business operations of the other
respective business organizations;
(2) maintenance of complete account
records and certificates which accurately reflect the
income, cost, expense and profit and loss situations
of the respective business organizations.
Article 90 In respect of foreign enterprises
which in accordance with the provisions of Article 89
of these Rules consolidate the filing and payment of
income tax, the business organization so selected thereunder
shall submit an application for approval according to
the following provisions after examination and verification
thereof by the local tax authorities:
(1) consolidated filing and payment
of income tax in respect of business organizations located
in the same province, autonomous region, or municipality
directly under the Central Government shall be subject
to approval by the tax authorities of the province,
autonomous region or municipality directly under the
Central Government;
(2) consolidated filing and payment
of income tax in respect of business organizations located
in two or more provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities
directly under the Central Government shall be subject
to approval by the State Tax Bureau. Following approval
for the filing and payment of tax on a consolidated
basis by foreign enterprises, such circumstances as
the establishment of additional business organizations,
mergers, change of address, termination of operations,
or shutdowns shall, prior to such event, be reported
to the local tax authorities by the business organization
responsible for the filing and payment of tax on a consolidated
basis. Any change in respect of the business organization
filing and paying tax on a consolidated basis shall
be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the
preceding paragraph.
Article 91 Where business organizations
related to foreign enterprises that file and pay income
tax on a consolidated basis apply different tax rates
in respect of the payment of tax, the amount of taxable
income of the respective business organizations shall
be separately computed on a reasonable basis and income
tax shall be paid on the basis of the different tax
rates. Where the respective business organizations mentioned
in the preceding paragraph have losses and profits,
tax shall be paid on the profit remaining after the
offsetting of losses against profits according to the
tax rate applicable to the profit-making business organization.
A business organization which incurs losses shall offset
losses using profits of the subsequent year of the business
organization; tax shall be paid on the profit remaining
after the offsetting of such losses according to the
tax rate applicable to the business organization; tax
paid on the offsetting amounts shall be based on the
tax rate applicable to the business organization that
offsets the losses incurred by the other business organization.
Article 92 Notwithstanding the provisions
of Article 91 of these Rules, where a business organization
responsible for filings and payment of tax on a consolidated
basis is unable to compute separately and reasonably
the taxable income of the respective business organizations,
the local tax authorities may make a reasonable apportionment
among the respective business organizations of the gross
taxable income based on the proportion of business revenues,
the proportion of cost and expenses, the proportion
of capital assets, and the proportion of the number
of staff or salaries and wages.
Article 93 Enterprises with foreign
investment which establish branch offices in China shall
complete consolidated filings and payment of income
tax with reference to the provisions of Article 91 and
Article 92 of these Rules.
Article 94 Enterprises that pay taxes
in advance on a quarterly basis in accordance with the
provisions of Article 15 of the Tax Law shall pay in
advance on the basis of actual quarterly profits; where
difficulty exists in paying in advance on the basis
of actual quarterly profits, the advanced quarterly
payment of tax may be made according to one-fourth of
the taxable income of the previous year or any other
method approved by the local tax authorities.
Article 95 Enterprises, whether realizing
profits or losses in a tax years, shall file income
tax returns and final statements of account with the
local tax authorities within the time limit prescribed
in Article 16 of the Tax Law, and unless otherwise provided
by the State, shall include when filing the final accounting
statement an audit statement of a certified public accountant
registered in China. Where, for special reasons, an
enterprise cannot file an income tax return and final
accounting statement within the period prescribed in
the Tax Law, an application shall be submitted within
the filing period and, upon approval of the local tax
authorities, the filing period may be extended appropriately.
Article 96 Final accounting statements
submitted by branches or business organizations to head
offices or business organizations that file and pay
income tax on a consolidated basis, shall be submitted
at the same time to the local tax authorities.
Article 97 Enterprises that are merged,
spun off, or terminated during the year shall, within
60 days of the termination of production or business
operations, complete with the local tax authorities
procedures for the settlement of any liability for and
payment of income tax, with refunds for overpayments
or supplementary payments for deficiencies.
Article 98 Enterprises which must complete
procedures for tax refunds in the case of overpayments
of tax may, where income in foreign currency has already
been converted into Renminbi according to the foreign
exchange rate, convert the amount of the tax in Renminbi
to be refunded into foreign currency according to the
exchange rate in effect when the tax was originally
paid, and then reconvert this amount of foreign currency
into Renminbi according to the foreign exchange rate
at the date of issuance of the tax refund certificate.
Where it is necessary to complete procedures for supplementary
tax payments in the case of underpayments of tax, the
amount of supplementary tax payments shall be converted
into Renminbi according to the foreign exchange rate
at the date of issuance of the certificate for supplementary
tax payments.
Article 99 Enterprises with foreign
investment that undergo liquidation shall, prior to
the completion of the cancellation of business registration,
complete the filing of income tax returns with he local
tax authorities.
Article 100 Except as otherwise provided
by the State, enterprises shall maintain in China accounting
vouchers, books and statements that support the correct
computation of taxable income. Accounting vouchers,
books and statements, and reports of enterprises shall
be completed in the Chinese language or completed in
both the Chinese language and a foreign language. Enterprises
that use electronic computers for purposes of book-keeping
shall treat the accounting records in computer storage
or in printed form as account books. All records on
magnetic tape and diskette that have not been printed
out shall be completely retained. Accounting vouchers,
books and statements, and reports of enterprises shall
be retained for at least 15 years.
Article 101 Invoices and certificates
of receipts of enterprises shall be subjected to approval
by the local tax authorities prior to printing and use.
Administrative measures in respect of the printing and
use of invoices and certificates of receipts of enterprises
shall be formulated by the State Tax Bureau.
Article 102 All enterprise income tax
returns and certificates of tax payments shall be printed
by the State Tax Bureau.
Article 103 If the final day of the
period for payment of tax and the period for filing
of a tax return falls on a Sunday or a legal holiday,
the day following the holiday shall be used as the last
day of the period.
Article 104 Tax authorities may pay
withholding agents as specified in Article 19, paragraph
2 of the Tax Law and Article 67 of these Rules a handling
fee based on a certain proportion of the amount of tax
withheld; the specific methods shall be formulated by
the State Tax Bureau.
Article 105 Local tax authorities may,
according to the seriousness of the case, impose a fine
of 5,000 yuan (RMB) or less on taxpayers or withholding
agents that refuse to accept examination by the tax
authorities in accordance with the relevant provisions
or that refuse to pay late payment penalties within
the time limit prescribed by the tax authorities.
Article 106 The tax authorities may,
according to the seriousness of the case, impose a fine
of 5,000 yuan (RMB) or less on an enterprise which violates
the provisions of Article 87; Article 90, paragraph
2; Article 95; Article 96; Article 97; Article 99; Article
100 and Article 101 of these Rules.
Article 107 "Tax evasion"
mentioned in Article 25 of the Tax Law means the illegal
actions of a taxpayer who has intentionally violated
the provisions of the Tax Law such as by: falsifying,
altering or destroying account books, receipts or accounting
vouchers; falsely itemizing or overstating costs and
expenses; concealing or understating taxable income
or receipts; or avoiding taxes or fraudulently recovering
taxes already paid.
Article 108 The tax authorities shall,
in punishing taxpayers or withholding agents in accordance
with the provisions of the Tax Law and these Rules,
serve notice of contravention.
Article 109 Any entity or individual
shall have the right to report a failure to comply with
the Tax Law and the violators thereof. The tax authorities
shall maintain confidentiality for informants and award
them in accordance with the relevant provisions herein.
Chapter IX Supplementary Provisions
Article 110 Enterprises with foreign
investment which completed business registration prior
to the promulgation of the Tax Law may, in respect of
the payment of income tax in accordance with the provisions
of the Tax Law and where the liability for tax is higher
than that prior to the entry into force of the Tax Law,
use the original applicable tax rate during the approved
period of operations. Where there is no established
period of operations, income tax may be paid using the
original applicable tax rate for five years commencing
on the date of the entry into force of the Tax Law.
However, in respect of the above-mentioned period, if
during a tax year the tax liability is higher than that
stipulated in the Tax Law, income tax shall be paid
commencing with that tax year according to the tax rate
stipulated in the Tax Law.
Article 111 Preferential treatment in
terms of exemptions from and reductions of enterprise
income tax enjoyed pursuant to the laws and administrative
rules and regulations prior to the entry into force
of the Tax Law by enterprises with foreign investment
which completed business registration prior to the promulgation
of the Tax Law may continue to remain in effect until
the termination of the period of exemptions and reductions.
Enterprises with foreign investment which completed
business registration prior to the promulgation of the
Tax Law but which have not earned profits or have earned
profits for less than five years may, in accordance
with the provisions of Article 8, paragraph 1 of the
Tax Law, be granted a corresponding period of treatment
in respect of exemptions from or reductions of enterprise
income tax.
Article 112 Enterprises with foreign
investment which completed business registration after
the promulgation of the Tax Law but prior to the entry
into force of the Tax Law may refer to the provisions
of Article 110 and Article 111 of these Rules for implementation
herein.
Article 113 The Ministry of Finance
and the State Tax Bureau shall be responsible for the
interpretation of these Rules.
Article 114 These Rules shall come into
force on the effective date of the Income Tax Law of
the People's Republic of China for Enterprises with
Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises. The Detailed
Rules for the Implementation of the Income Tax Law of
the People's Republic of China Concerning Chinese-Foreign
Equity Joint Ventures and the Detailed Rules for the
Implementation of the Income Tax Law of the People's
Republic of China for Foreign Enterprises shall be abrogated
at the same time.