Individual Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China

(npc.gov.cn)     Updated : 2015-07-17

Article 6 The amount of taxable income shall be computed as follows:

(1) For income from wages and salaries, the amount of taxable income shall be the part remaining after deduction of 2,000 yuan for expenses from a monthly income;

(2) For income from production or business operation gained by self-employed industrial and commercial households, the amount of taxable income shall be the part remaining after deduction of the costs, expenses and losses from the gross income in a tax year;

(3) For income from contracted or leased operation of enterprises or institutions, the amount of taxable income shall be the part remaining after deduction of the necessary expenses from the gross income in a tax year;

(4) For income from remuneration for personal services, author's remuneration, royalties and lease of property, the amount of taxable income shall be the part remaining after deduction of 800 yuan for expenses from the amount received in a single payment not exceeding 4,000 yuan; or after deduction of 20 percent from the amount for a single payment of 4,000 yuan or more;

(5) For income from the transfer of property, the amount of taxable income shall be the part remaining after deduction of the original value of the property and the reasonable expenses from the income gained from such transfer; and

(6) For interest, dividends, bonuses, incidental income and income from other sources, the amount of taxable income shall be the full amount received in each payment.

The part of individual income donated to educational and other public welfare undertakings shall be deducted from the amount of taxable income in accordance with the relevant regulations of the State Council.

For taxpayers who have no domiciles in China but obtain wages or salaries within China, or who have domiciles in China but obtain wages or salaries outside China, an additional deduction of expenses may be determined on the basis of the average income level, living standard and the changes in exchange rates. The applicable scope and standard of the additional deduction of expenses shall be prescribed by the State Council.

Article 7 For income gained by taxpayers from outside China, the amount of individual income tax paid outside China shall be permitted to be deducted from the amount of tax payable. The amount to be deducted, however, shall not exceed the amount of tax payable as calculated according to the provisions of this Law on income gained by the taxpayers from outside China.

Article 8 For individual income tax, the income earner shall be the taxpayer, and the paying unit or individual shall be the withholding agent. If a taxpayer’s individual income exceeds the amount specified by the State Council, or a taxpayer receives wages or salaries from two or more sources, or there is no withholding agent, or under other circumstances specified by the State Council, the taxpayer shall file returns and pay tax in accordance with State regulations. The withholding agent shall, in accordance with State regulations, file the returns of all the taxpayers and the full amount of the tax withheld.