Information
Despite the continued appreciation of the RMB and rising labor costs through yearly increases in minimum wages, China remains an attractive location for manufacturing activities by virtue of it’s increasingly sophisticated supply chain and maturing infrastructure.
Coupled with a rising middle class and expanding domestic demand, it remains an attractive and competitive location for foreign investments. In China, companies operate under a very different set of legal and taxation governance to that of Hong Kong. Generally speaking, there are more administrative and regulatory burdens on companies and the tax net is certainly wider with higher tax rates compared to Hong Kong.
For businesses intending to set up operations in China, it is important to be aware of local operating conditions including additional administrative and taxation costs of starting a business operation in China.
China Rep Office
A Representative Office is an easy and effective way for foreign investors to get a feel for the china market before committing more substantial investments.
The main advantage of an RO structure is that there is no registered capital requirements. It is not a legal entity and registration can be effected at the local level. These factors make the setting up of a RO significantly easier when compared to setting up a Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise or Joint Venture. For more information, please refer to our PRC Rep Office Guide.
China Legal Representative
Every company in China, both foreign and domestic owned, must have a legal representative.
The legal representative of a company in China has broad-ranging power to act in the name of the company. It is therefore important for foreign investors to understand the role of the LR in the day-to-day functioning of a PRC enterprise. It is possible to put in place procedures and processes to limit the powers and therefore potential liabilities of the LR to protect the company and the LR himself. For more information, please refer to our China Legal Representative Guide.
Permanent Establishment
Permanent establishment is a provision within double tax treaties which allows the respective tax authorities within two contracting states to tax the business profits of a resident enterprise of the other contracting state.
Practically this has implications for HK based businesses that provide services in China or send staffs to work on projects in China. Under PE provisions, HK companies may be liable to full PRC Enterprise Income Tax on their profits that are “sourced” from China or connected with any service rendered in China. For more information, please refer to our Permanent Establishment Guide.
Indirect (Offshore) Shares Transfer - Circular 698
China Enterprise Income Tax
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Contact Andrew Ng 伍樹彬
Tel +852 2572 7328
Fax +852 2838 2239
E-Mail andrewng@tcng-cpa.com
