Horizons will continue to update important business news and information related to the coronavirus epidemic.
5 Months Reduction on Employee Medical Insurance Premium
The China Ministry of Finance, National Medical Insurance Bureau and Tax Bureau jointly announced the Guiding Opinions on the Periodic Reduction of Basic Employee Medical Insurance Premium (“Guiding Opinions”) measure on 21 February 2020. Guiding Opinions reduces payment of employee medical insurance by 50%, while the reduction period, from February 2020, shall not exceed more than five months.
Additional provisions promulgated for the reduction and exemption of social insurance premiums in the face of the coronavirus epidemic
On 20 February 2020, China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation simultaneously issued the Notice on the Periodic Reduction and Exemption of Social Insurance Premiums for Corporations (“Notice”). The Notice is a special measure made to assist businesses amidst the epidemic and historically marks the first time that social insurance premiums have been reduced and exempted in China’s social security system. The move comes in response to the State Council executive meeting held on 18 February, and reports predict an overall reduction of more than RMB 500 billion for enterprises in across the country.
Key takeaways from The Notice
Enterprises outside of Hubei province
As a result of the Notice, small, medium and micro enterprises outside of Hubei province shall be exempted from basic pension insurance, unemployment insurance and work injury insurance (hereinafter referred as “three social insurances”). The policy is effective from 2 February 2020 and shall not exceed five months. For large enterprises (excluding public institutions) outside of Hubei province, the three social insurances shall be reduced; the effective period starts from 2 February and shall not exceed three months.
Enterprises within Hubei province
Enterprises (excluding public institutions) within Hubei province shall be exempted from the three social insurances. The effective period starts from 2 February and shall not exceed five months.
Deferred social insurance premium payments
Enterprises severely affected by the coronavirus epidemic in matters of production or operation may apply to defer social insurance premium payments. The deferred payments shall not exceed six months and there will be no late payment fees during the deferred period.
Published 19 February
Further nationwide measures to support businesses in China have been announced
At the 18 February State Council of the People’s Republic of China executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang, the council announced policies that included a reduction in social insurance premiums and a deferment in payment of housing provident funds. The decision was made in a further effort to support both local and foreign enterprises nationwide and stabilise employment amidst the coronavirus epidemic.
Exemption or reduction of social insurance premiums
From February till June 2020, medium, small and micro enterprises nationwide — except for those in Hubei province — shall be exempted from paying pension, unemployment and work injury insurance. For large enterprises, pension, unemployment and work injury insurance payment shall be reduced by 50%.
Housing provident funds
Before the end of June 2020, enterprises may apply to defer their housing provident fund payment. Equally, in the interim period, any employee affected by the epidemic and cannot make payments on provident fund housing loans shall not be liable for overdue fees.
Moving forward, these policies shall be implemented by provincial and municipal governments, along with other stabilising directives from the Party Central Committee and State Council, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping.
Published 17 February 2020
To combat the coronavirus and head off economic insecurities, government takes action by implementing supportive financial and tax measures for businesses
In China’s battle against the coronavirus epidemic, the nation is striving to contain the spread of the virus. Many provincial and municipal governments across China have issued first-level emergency responses to enable emergency measures in combating the epidemic. For enterprises across China, such measures are directly impacting on businesses, resulting in economic consequences.
To address the economic impact of the coronavirus, the Communist Party Central Committee and the State Council, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, have called on all Party committees and governments at all levels to minimise the impact of the epidemic in order to maintain steady economic performance as well as social harmony and stability. In response, many provincial and municipal governments have enacted measures to support business and reduce the burdens caused by the epidemic.
On the morning of the 8 February, the Municipal Epidemic Prevention and Control Work Leading Group held a press conference in Shanghai where they issued 28 comprehensive policy measures (“Measures”). The Measures are put forth to fully support enterprises in fighting the coronavirus epidemic and effectively reducing the burden on businesses. In this article, we offer some key takeaways regarding the Measures.
Many are asking if the governmental measures related to fighting the coronavirus will affect foreign investment in China? As a starting point to answer this question, we note that from January of this year, under Foreign Investment Law of the People’s Republic of China, Article 9, “The policies of the state supporting the development of enterprises shall equally apply to foreign-invested enterprises in accordance with the law.” In a word, foreign companies established in Shanghai come under the same rules and regulations as domestic entities. That said, we summarise the key effect of the “Measures”.
Increased financial and taxation support for key enterprises in epidemic prevention
For key enterprises involved directly in the epidemic prevention, any increased production capacity and purchases in equipment can enjoy preferential tax treatment related to value-added tax, income tax and registration fees. Equally, financial credit support and channels shall be strengthened for key enterprises with discounted loan rates.
Reduced and exempted corporate rental fees
Small and medium enterprises renting and engaged in production and operation activities within the state-owned real estate sector will be exempted from February and March rental fees. State-owned real estate includes various development zones and industrial parks, entrepreneurial bases and technology incubators. Large-scale commercial buildings, shopping centres and other private commercial real estate are encouraged to reduce rental fees. Enterprises taking initiative to reduce or exempt housing rent or land rent, and face difficulties in payment related to real estate tax and urban land use tax may apply for reduction or exemption of such taxes.
Deferred tax declaration
During the epidemic prevention and control period, affected taxpayers experiencing difficulties in reporting taxes within the provisioned time period may apply for a time extension. For those who meet the conditions for deferred tax payment, the maximum tax period is three months. Any taxpayers who are unable to report and pay tax due to the impact of the epidemic may be exempted from late fees and administrative penalties.
Increased financial assistance to enterprises
The Measures provides funding support for enterprises through multiple channels. Specifically, Pudong Development Bank, Shanghai Bank and Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank are encouraged to increase credit allocations in an effort to fight the epidemic by supporting enterprises affected by the epidemic, including small, medium and micro-enterprises.
Support for enterprises to stabilise employment
In order for employers to retain employees, 50% of unemployment insurance premiums paid in the previous year shall be returned to employers and their employees under the condition that the employers do not reduce the number of their employees and meet related requirements. Equally, the adjustment for society security contributions base will be delayed by three months and the starting and ending dates of the social insurance payment for 2020 shall be adjusted from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.
Subsidised training fees
Regarding vocational training for employees organised by enterprises during the suspension period, 95% of such training cost shall be subsidised by the district of the enterprise.
Beyond the latter, local governments across China will enact similar macro policy regulation to support business and minimise the economic impact of the coronavirus. Moving forward, we expect further fiscal, tax, financial and social security policies for providing relief for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Overall, forecasts from analysts indicate the impact of the epidemic on the Chinese economy is short term. Global investors either already invested or planning to invest in China are encouraged to look beyond short-term fluctuations. Rather, China’s long-term growth prospects indicate satisfactory returns. Compared with the 2002 SARS outbreak, China’s current economy is more developed. Supporting policies and improved credit conditions aim to provide an “economic immune system”.
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