This China Tax Guide looks at the taxation system and how it is applied and calculated against residents and expat workers who work and are paid in China.
Any individual who has domicile in China or who has no domicile in China but has resided in China for one year or more shall pay Individual Income Tax on his worldwide income. Any individual who is neither domiciled nor resident in China or who has resided in China for less than one year shall pay Individual Income Tax on the income from sources inside China.
Wages and salaries are taxed on the basis of the balance of taxpayer' s monthly wages and salaries after lump-sum deduction of 800 Yuan as expenses and by applying the nine-grade progressive rates as shown in the table below.
| Grade | Monthly Taxable Income | Tax Rate (%) | Quick Deduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Income of 500 Yuan or less | 5 | 0 |
| 2 | 500 to 2, 000 Yuan | 10 | 25 |
| 3 | 2,000 to 5, 000 Yuan | 15 | 125 |
| 4 | 5,000 to 20, 000 Yuan | 20 | 375 | /
| 5 | 20,000 to 40, 000 Yuan | 25 | 1375 |
| 6 | 40,000 to 60, 000 Yuan | 30 | 3375 |
| 7 | 60,000 to 80, 000 Yuan | 35 | 6375 |
| 8 | 80,000 to 100,000 Yuan | 40 | 10375 |
| 9 | 100,000 Yuan and above | 45 | 15375 |
Annual taxable income = Gross annual income of production /business - Costs, expenses and losses
Tax payable for the year = Annual taxable income × Applicable tax rate - Quick deduction
The income from contracted or leased operation of enterprises or institutions is taxed on the basis of the balance of the gross annual income after deduction of the necessary expenses (currently 800 Yuan per month) and by applying the suitable tax rate in Individual Income Tax Rates Schedule (2) above.
The income of remuneration for personal service, author's remuneration, royalties and income from lease of property are taxed on the basis of remaining sum of the income after deduction of 800 Yuan when each payment of the income is not over 4,000 Yuan or on the basis of the remaining sum of the income after deduction of 20% of the income as the expenses when each payment of the income is over 4,000 Yuan and by applying the rate of 20%. The formula for that is:
Taxable income = Cross value of taxable items - 800 Yuan (or 20% of gross value of taxable items)
Amount of tax payable = Taxable income × 20 %
The tax base is the balance of the proceedings derived from transfer of property after deducting the original value of the property and the reasonable expenses the applicable rate is 20%. The formula for computing the amount of tax payable is:
Taxable income = Proceedings from transfer of property - Original value of property - Reasonable expenses
Amount of tax payable = Taxable income × 20 %
The tax on interest, dividends, bonuses, contingent income and other income is based on each receipt of the income with the rate of 20%. The formula for computing the income tax payable is:
Tax payable = The full amount in each receipt × 20 %
The following incomes are exempt from income tax:
