China to improve export tax rebate policy

China has decided to improve its export tax rebate policy to reduce the business burden and bolster foreign trade, according to a State Council executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang on Monday.

The current seven tax brackets will be cut to five, and some rates will be raised according to international common practice, said a statement released after the conference.

Effective from Nov. 1, the 15-percent bracket and part of the 13-percent bracket will be lifted to 16 percent. The 9 percent notch will be adjusted to 10 percent or 13 percent, and the 5 percent tier to 6 or 10 percent.

However, high energy consumption and seriously polluting goods as well as those involved in industrial capacity cuts will see export rebate rates unchanged.

The government expects the policy to facilitate supply-side structural reform, ease burdens on the real economy, and stabilize foreign trade growth amid complicated global circumstances.

Tax refund procedures will also be simplified, with the year-end goal of shortening the average time needed from 13 work days to 10. Businesses with a good record will see an even faster and easier process.

Paperless applications will be promoted, and service businesses will be encouraged to help tax refunds for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Editor: John Li