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The State Administration of Taxation
Circular on Tax Paid by Foreign Investors Merging the Stock Equity of Chinese Enterprises
GuoShuiFa [2003] No. 60
May 28, 2003
In order to promote and regulate the investment launched by foreign investors in China, introduce foreign advanced technology and
management experiences, raise China’s level of utilizing foreign capital and realize reasonable allocation of resources, the former
Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, the State Administration
of Foreign Exchange and the State Administration of Taxation jointly promulgated the Interim Regulations Concerning the Issue that
Foreign Investor Merge Enterprises Within the Territory of China (hereinafter referred to as Interim Regulations) in March of 2003,
which allows foreign investors to merge the stock equity of enterprises without foreign investment within the territory of China
(hereinafter referred to as enterprises within the territory). Concerning the tax issue involved in the merger, it is hereby informed
as follows:
I.
Foreign investors enable enterprises within the territory to become enterprises with foreign investment through purchasing the stock
equity of their shareholders or subscribe their increased capital (hereinafter referred to as stock equity purchase). If foreign
investors have more than 25% of the total shares, the enterprise may pay various taxes according to tax laws and regulations suitable
to enterprises with foreign investment.
II.
For the enterprises with foreign investment changed into from an enterprise within the territory through stock equity purchase, if
they meet the relevant conditions stipulated by the Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China for Enterprises with Foreign
Investment and Foreign Enterprises (hereinafter referred to as Tax Law) and its detailed rules, they could enjoy preferential tax
treatment made by Tax Law and other relevant provisions. The preferential tax should be calculated according to the following provisions:
(I)
The beginning of business and operation period. The day when an industrial and commercial organ approves and issues business license
means an enterprise with foreign investment changed into from an enterprise within the territory through stock equity purchase begins
its business. From the beginning day to the business maturity date set by industrial and commercial registration is operation period.
(II)
The settlement of pre-establishment loss. The total business loss that has not been made up before an enterprise with foreign investment
established may be covered by the enterprise with foreign investment changed into from an enterprise within the territory through
stock equity purchase in the rest years of covering loss stipulated by Article 11 of Tax Law.
(III)
Identification of profit-making year. Profit-making year refers to the year when an enterprise with foreign investment changed into
from an enterprise within the territory through stock equity purchase is established and it still makes profit after making up loss
of the years before. In the profit-making year, if the production period is less than 6 months, the enterprise may choose the beginning
year of tax reduction and remission according to Article 77 of detailed rules of Tax Law.
III.
The Circular shall enter into force as of January 1, 2003. The enterprises with foreign investment changed from enterprises within
the territory through stock equity purchase established before the promulgation of the circular should adhere to the circular if
they meet the conditions of Interim Regulations and the circular.
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