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Liaoning Tax Authorities Enhance Services for Taxpayers and Fee Payers: What Foreign Founders Should Know

A recent update from Liaoning's tax system shows how local authorities are improving tax services and implementing preferential policies. For foreign founders operating in China, these developments can mean more efficient procedures and better access to support.

Liaoning Tax Authorities Enhance Services for Taxpayers and Fee Payers

Foreign founders establishing or running a company in China need to stay informed about local tax initiatives that can affect their operations. A recent article from the State Taxation Administration highlights efforts by the Liaoning tax system to improve services and resolve issues for taxpayers and fee payers. While the original text focuses on internal party education, it reveals practical measures that can benefit businesses, including foreign-invested enterprises.

Focus on Learning and Service Improvement

Since the second batch of thematic education began, party committees at all levels of the Liaoning tax system have emphasized learning to drive action. The provincial tax bureau has prioritized studying the Party's scientific theories and applying them to tax work. This has reinforced a service-oriented mindset, aiming to align tax administration with the needs of taxpayers and fee payers.

Xu Guanglie, secretary of the party committee and director of the Liaoning Provincial Tax Bureau, stated that the goal is to address what taxpayers and fee payers are thinking and hoping for, and to do more to solve difficulties and benefit enterprises and the public. For foreign founders, this signals a continued focus on improving the business environment and tax services.

Practical Measures for Taxpayers

Various cities in Liaoning have implemented concrete steps to enhance tax service quality. For instance, the Dandong Tax Bureau launched a series of measures to improve tax and fee services, with 97 improvement measures implemented. The Yingkou Tax Bureau provided targeted tax policy services to heating companies, ensuring timely delivery of tax and fee benefits. These actions reflect a broader effort to ensure policies are communicated and applied effectively.

During the thematic education period, provincial leaders conducted in-depth research and visited frontline offices to solve problems. They addressed over 20 key issues raised by grassroots units and taxpayers. City-level leaders visited more than 50 county-level tax bureaus and over 60 grassroots party branches, collecting suggestions and resolving over 140 practical problems. Such visits indicate a hands-on approach to identifying and solving issues that may affect businesses.

On-Site Problem Solving

In Benxi, tax officials participated in "process-walking" activities, where they experienced tax service procedures from the taxpayer's perspective to identify blind spots and find solutions. For example, Qi Wei, secretary of the party committee and director of the Pingshan District Tax Bureau, visited Benxi Fuyao Float Glass Co., Ltd. to check the implementation of tax policies. The company's accountant, Song Yang, welcomed the service, noting that officials helped resolve practical issues related to policy understanding and document filing.

Similarly, the Huludao Tax Bureau developed an intelligent "inquiry and handling integrated" window, which handled over 50 complex cases with a 100% satisfaction rate. Han Tao, secretary of the party committee and director of the bureau, emphasized the importance of learning from innovative theories to improve service. For foreign founders, such innovations can lead to more efficient resolution of tax-related inquiries.

Building "Fengqiao-Style" Tax Offices

The Liaoning Provincial Tax Bureau is promoting the construction of "Fengqiao-style" tax offices, following guidelines from the State Taxation Administration. This initiative aims to strengthen the grassroots foundation of tax authorities and improve service to taxpayers. The province has developed specific work plans and schedules to encourage the creation of these offices across provincial, municipal, and county levels, with the goal of bridging the last mile in serving taxpayers.

In Fuxin, the tax bureau extended learning and research activities to the grassroots, standardizing 38 tax sub-bureaus and service halls. They established "New Fengqiao Windows" and "New Fengqiao Rooms" to promptly and effectively resolve tax disputes and protect the rights of taxpayers. Such setups can provide foreign founders with accessible channels for dispute resolution.

Implementing Tax and Fee Preferential Policies

A key measure of the thematic education's success is the implementation of continued, optimized, and improved tax and fee preferential policies. The Liaoning tax system has deepened the "no-application, enjoy directly" reform, ensuring that tax refunds, reductions, and fee cuts are implemented quickly, accurately, steadily, and effectively. Since last year, the province has added over 20 billion yuan in tax reductions, fee cuts, and refunds, helping market entities reduce burdens and increase confidence.

For example, Liaoning Xinhualong Dayou Molybdenum Co., Ltd. received over 70 million yuan in VAT credit refunds, which greatly alleviated its funding difficulties. Zhang Shaoqiang, the company's general manager, expressed confidence in future development. In Jinzhou, the tax bureau focused on taxpayers' urgent needs and improved the accuracy of policy delivery, ensuring that preferential policies took effect.

Support for Major Projects

The Liaoning tax system has also deepened the "project butler" tax service mechanism. Since the second batch of thematic education, 1,237 tax officials have been organized to provide exclusive services to nearly 400 major projects, solving over 300 practical problems and implementing tax and fee benefits exceeding 1 billion yuan.

For instance, the Shenyang Zhongdonggang Commercial Complex project faced funding difficulties during construction and encountered an error when first applying for deferred tax payment. The project butler team from Heping District Tax Bureau provided detailed guidance and follow-up services, quickly completing the deferred tax payment of over 70 million yuan. Xie Lu, the project's chief accountant, noted that the tax officials guided them step by step, greatly relieving their financial pressure.

Implications for Foreign Founders

These developments suggest that Liaoning's tax authorities are actively working to improve service efficiency, policy implementation, and problem-solving. For foreign founders, this means:

• Access to targeted services: Initiatives like "one enterprise, one policy" and project butlers can provide customized support for businesses, including foreign-invested ones.
• Efficient dispute resolution: The establishment of Fengqiao-style offices and intelligent service windows can help resolve tax-related issues quickly.
• Tax benefits: The emphasis on implementing preferential policies ensures that eligible businesses can benefit from tax reductions and refunds.

While the article focuses on domestic taxpayers, foreign founders can expect similar service standards as they navigate China's tax system. It is advisable to stay informed about local tax initiatives and utilize available services to ensure compliance and optimize tax positions.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.

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