CHINA – 2025 Tax filing and payment deadlines to remember for your business

Published On - 21 January, 2025

Valentin Moriceau China

On December 23, 2024, the State Taxation Administration (STA) released the Circular of the General Office of the State Taxation Administration on the Tax Filing and Payment Deadlines for 2025, clarifying the tax filing and payment deadlines for taxpayers who are required to complete tax filing and payment within 15 business days upon the end of each month or quarter.

Usually, the tax filing deadlines for January, July, August, September, and December are the 15th of each respective month but a few exceptions are to be anticipated:

  • Due to the 4-day holiday from February 1 to 4, the tax filing deadline is extended to February 20.
  • Since March 15 falls on a Saturday, the tax filing deadline is extended to March 17.
  • Due to the 3-day holiday from April 4 to 6, the tax filing deadline is extended to April 18.
  • Due to the 5-day holiday from May 1 to 5, the tax filing deadline is extended to May 22.
  • Since June 15 falls on a Sunday, the tax filing deadline is extended to June 16.
  • Due to the 8-day holiday from October 1 to 8, the tax filing deadline is extended to October 27.
  • Since November 15 falls on a Saturday, the tax filing deadline is extended to November 17.

Local tax bureaus can adjust the tax filing and payment deadlines upon special situations. However, such adjustments should be filed with the STA in advance.

As reminder, here below the key taxes which have a 15-day filing and payment deadline:

  • Corporate Income Tax (CIT) – Prepaid monthly or quarterly based on accounting records.
  • Value-Added Tax (VAT) – Payment deadlines depend on the taxpayer’s assessment; typically within 15 days of the end of the period.
  • Consumption Tax (CT) – Similar to VAT, with deadlines based on the payment period chosen.
  • Urban Maintenance and Construction Tax (UMCT) – Paid alongside VAT or CT.
  • Individual Income Tax (IIT) – Filed monthly or quarterly, with penalties for late filing.

Failing to meet the tax filing and payment deadlines in China can result in significant penalties. These sanctions include:

  1. Late Payment Penalties – A fine of at least 50% of the amount of tax that was either not paid or underpaid. In severe cases, fines can reach up to five times the unpaid tax amount.
  2. Interest on Unpaid Taxes – Interest may be charged on any overdue tax payments, which can accumulate over time and increase the total amount owed.
  3. Tax Credit Rating Downgrades – Businesses may experience a reduction in their tax credit rating, which could affect future tax assessments, access to tax incentives, or even business relationships with other companies or financial institutions.
  4. Legal Consequences – Persistent failure to comply with tax obligations could result in legal action, including possible business closures or other enforcement measures.

It is critical to ensure timely tax filings and payments to avoid these penalties and maintain your business’s compliance and reputation.

Please feel free to contact our team (by email via contact@orbis-alliance.com) who can assist in ensuring your business meets these deadlines, helping you stay compliant and avoid unnecessary fines or complications.