New tax rules relating to the tax treatment of certain corporate restructuring transactions are expected to be finalized soon by the PRC Ministry of Finance (“MOF”) and the State Administration of Taxation (“SAT”).
Under China’s pre-2008 foreign enterprise income tax (“FEIT”) regime, the SAT issued guidance on the tax treatment of corporate restructuring transactions, including Guo Shui Fa [1997]. No 71 (“Circular 71”) and Guo Shui Han Fa [1997].No 207 (“Notice 207”). Circular 71 provided detailed guidelines on the tax treatment of corporate restructuring transactions, including mergers, spin-offs, asset transfers and share restructurings. Notice 207 confirmed that a foreign investor could transfer its equity interest in a Chinese enterprise to a 100% related enterprise at cost, provided a commercial-purpose test could be satisfied. The guidance provided in Circular 71 and Notice 207 was interpreted by many foreign investors as indicating preferential tax policies under the FEIT regime.
Continue Reading...