A new tax policy now requires most employees in China to register through an app that can be downloaded on the country’s tax bureau website. Though that might sound simple enough, in order to proceed with registration, the app requires an individualized tax code. This code can be easily obtained by inputting a Chinese ID number, but for foreigners, who obviously do not have such an ID number, the only means of resolution is to go to a tax bureau office in person to obtain the individualized tax code. The only exception applies for foreigners who hold a permanent residence card.

The tax declaration cutoff date for 2020 is June 30th, so you will need to have registered before then.

But who needs to register in the app?

Anyone who meets any of the following criteria must register on the tax app:

-          You earned more than RMB 60,000 last year in China;

-          You had more than one employer in China, or changed employer within the year;

-          You paid, underpaid, or overpaid taxes last year.

What should I bring to the tax bureau?

All you need to bring is your passport and yourself. However, if you obtained a new passport in 2019 or 2020, you will have to bring the old passport with you as well, unless your employer has already updated your tax information with the bureau.

After a short wait, you should be handed a slip of paper with your code, and that is all you need.

If you need to check where the closest tax bureau office to you is, the state tax administration has a map of all tax offices in each city that can be navigated by district.

As a final note, in case you feel like this is an activity you don’t feel confident doing by yourself, you can always contact us, and one of our professionals will be more than glad to help you.