Tax change in China

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GinaL
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Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2012 1:57 pm

Tax change in China

Post by GinaL »

Hi- I am curious as to what the "word on the street" is in regards to the change in the Chinese tax law on foreigners. I know that several schools pay all or part of a teacher's Chinese taxes as part of hiring package. Is that changing? Any specific examples that people can share?

Thanks - Gina
mysharona
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Joined: Thu Jan 13, 2011 1:25 am

Post by mysharona »

My school continues to foot the bill, of approximately $5,000,000/year.
PsyGuy
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No help

Post by PsyGuy »

Cant really help you Ive had about an equal number of replies, some schools are just passing the taxes on to their teachers, and some schools seem to be absorbing the extra taxes. Its about evenly split, and there isnt any real pattern. The high tier schools are just as likely to absorb the tax as the lower tier schools.

One comment was that the tier 1 schools pay more and so have a higher tax, and combined with all their staff its a significant amount of money to write off as an expense. Another comment I heard was that they didnt know what the school paid and didnt pay, and believed the school could easily be under reporting and under paying their taxes anyway.
wrldtrvlr123
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Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:59 am
Location: Japan

Re: No help

Post by wrldtrvlr123 »

[quote="PsyGuy"]Cant really help you Ive had about an equal number of replies, some schools are just passing the taxes on to their teachers, and some schools seem to be absorbing the extra taxes. Its about evenly split, and there isnt any real pattern. The high tier schools are just as likely to absorb the tax as the lower tier schools.

One comment was that the tier 1 schools pay more and so have a higher tax, and combined with all their staff its a significant amount of money to write off as an expense. Another comment I heard was that they didnt know what the school paid and didnt pay, and believed the school could easily be under reporting and under paying their taxes anyway.[/quote]

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In Beijing it seems that the schools that were already paying your taxes are also covering the new tax and those that weren't, aren't.

I was also just told that in Shanghai they are still stalling and not paying the new tax yet (but can't say that it applies to all schools).
PsyGuy
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Location: Northern Europe

Comment

Post by PsyGuy »

@wrldtrvlr123

Do you have any insight how this will effect new teachers next year? Will they revise policies to pass the tax on to new teachers, or all teachers, or do you think it will just become a new expense and expectation of schools to absorb the new tax costs?

When do you think other cities and towns will catch up on the tax issue. My understanding is that a number of smaller cities have not implemented the new tax requirements?
tdaley26
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Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:40 pm

Post by tdaley26 »

I will be a new teacher in Shanghai and was told (in writing as part of the contract) that the school will absorb the cost of the new tax once it is implimented. Of course, that does not mean all schools will handle it the same way.
wrldtrvlr123
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Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:59 am
Location: Japan

Re: Comment

Post by wrldtrvlr123 »

[quote="PsyGuy"]@wrldtrvlr123

Do you have any insight how this will effect new teachers next year? Will they revise policies to pass the tax on to new teachers, or all teachers, or do you think it will just become a new expense and expectation of schools to absorb the new tax costs?

When do you think other cities and towns will catch up on the tax issue. My understanding is that a number of smaller cities have not implemented the new tax requirements?[/quote]
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I don't really know how this is going to go. There is a lot of conflicting information/opinions on the subject.

The impact for teachers is significant but not horrendous (1000 rmb a month give or take) but is really worrying the schools that have implemented it as they have to match 30% or so of the teacher's salary for mandatory contributions. I can't help but think this will get passed onto the families. Will it make schools tighten up on teacher benefits? Hard to say but will depend on how enrollment etc goes.

I think some places may be waiting to see what happens in Shanghai and Beijing (those who are paying, those who aren't). I'm sure there is much lobbying going on behind the scenes.
PsyGuy
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Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:51 am
Location: Northern Europe

Lost

Post by PsyGuy »

I usually have a good insight on issues, but ive had too many conflicting reports over the last couple months.
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