Job Discussion Forums

[kimo50]

I an working at a school in Fuzhou for a few years now, I am aware that under Chinese law taxes are supposed to be paid on my income, however whenever I ask the school administration for some official record that shows the tax payments, I am told I would need to send my passport to Beijing to get an official printed record of the taxes paid. Should I be able to go to any tax office and get that information? Or in reality, do I need to DHL my passport to Beijing for that information? Or is my leg being pulled here?

On another tax issue, I have asked the school FT contact several times about participation in the Chinese social tax and benefit program that came out about a year + ago. Whenever I query admin about this I usually get no answer - or a vague one at best. What I would like to know is this foreign social tax /benefit program mandated at the national level? Is it selectively implemented depending upon the province/city? Is the school trying to save money but not enrolling me?
Thanks

[zactherat]

[Denim-Maniac]

Ill add this doesnt mean that they are seeking a way to cheat the foreigner. I teach adult students, one of whom in an accountant, and we have discussed tax affairs in my classroom. Very few of my Chinese students pay their full tax quota ... most employers pass false details to the tax office about base salary and bonus payments reducing both their and their employee tax liability.

Its unrealistic to expect tax affairs for FT staff to be handled any differently IMO.

[Banner41]

I actually get a statement every month from my employer with the taxes taken out. They have an accountant that also had me send in a tax return in China. I didn't have to pay anything extra because I was out of the country for two months. I am on the social insurance plan and also get statements from that. I know not everyone (probably less than 20%...but just a guess) actually has implemented it. I think just some companies want to stay ahead of this if it hits hard in the future but just speculation on my part.

[kimo50]

Appreciate all your comments....BTW am not a newbie - been here three years. Not one to rock the boat over tax issues however I am concerned that someday in the future, if I wish to avail of said benefits, or if I need an official record of tax payments, my records will show no record of payment for social taxes as well as normal income taxes. Realizing taxes can be a 'bit of a game' in China is not comforting if something that is supposed to be paid on my behalf is not.

[choudoufu]