Tax And Accounting Services
Full-cycle statutory accounting, tax governance, financial reporting and strategic fiscal planning for foreign-invested enterprises in China.
Tax And Accounting Services
Rooted in GEI’s decade of cross-border service experience and our multi-city service network across Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing and Hainan, we integrate standardized statutory financial compliance, rigorous tax governance, foreign exchange administration and strategic fiscal planning into a unified full-cycle service system.
To operate sustainably in China, global businesses must first understand the uniquely structured, heavily regulated local financial and tax framework, which differs markedly from many Western jurisdictions.
China Financial & Tax Compliance Framework
All formal statutory bookkeeping, ledger maintenance and official financial statements must follow the official Chinese Accounting Standards (CAS). While largely converged with IFRS, CAS contains specific local regulatory rules, fixed ledger formats and mandatory local record retention cycles, separate from internal global group reporting formats. Full statutory records must be properly archived locally to meet tax and official audit inspection requirements.
China’s tax administration is built around the core mechanism of invoice-based tax supervision, managed through unified national electronic tax systems and digital invoice platforms. Core tax types include value-added tax (VAT), corporate income tax (CIT), individual income tax (IIT), social insurance contributions and stamp duty, with strict monthly, quarterly and annual filing deadlines, automated supervision and clear penalty rules for late submissions or incorrect declarations. Foreign-invested enterprises also face additional requirements for foreign exchange settlement, profit repatriation and annual foreign investment reporting.
Cross-Border Tax & Accounting Challenges
We understand the unique pain points for cross-border businesses: frequent updates to local tax policies, China-specific documentation and invoice rules, reconciling local statutory books with global ERP systems, cross-border transfer pricing compliance, double taxation treaty applications, and dividend remittance structuring. Many foreign investors underestimate the granularity of local regulatory audits, creating hidden liabilities that emerge years later and disrupt global consolidation and financing plans.
GEI Tax & Accounting Framework
GEI’s dedicated China tax & accounting team holds official local professional qualifications, combining deep PRC regulatory expertise with international financial reporting and cross-border tax knowledge. Our structured service framework covers four core dedicated service lines: daily statutory accounting & bookkeeping, periodic statutory tax compliance & filing, annual audit & regulatory reporting, and cross-border tax advisory & tax planning. Each service has a dedicated detailed subpage outlining scope, deliverables and compliance processes.
Adhering to the principles of compliance first, risk control throughout, and value-driven growth, we help global clients establish a resilient, audit-ready China financial structure, resolve cross-border reporting conflicts, achieve legitimate tax optimisation, maintain clean tax records, and enable smooth profit repatriation, dividend distribution and group consolidation. Our goal is to turn China financial compliance from a persistent risk burden into a predictable, scalable foundation for long-term regional investment growth.
Strategic Tax and Accounting Services to Maximize Value
This service module includes four independent detailed sub-pages to cover the full-dimensional financial and tax needs of foreign-funded enterprises, delivering refined and professional one-stop support for your cross-border business layout.
A proactive "health check" for your tax affairs. We conduct independent risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities in your historical data and cross-border transactions, safeguarding your business against regulatory scrutiny.
Explore Tax Compliance Consulting →Strategic, forward-looking tax structuring. We design compliant frameworks to optimize your investment returns and reduce tax liabilities—such as dividend withholding tax—by leveraging available incentives and Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs).
Explore Tax Planning →Your window into business performance. We prepare accurate financial statements, including balance sheets and cash flow statements, that satisfy both Chinese statutory requirements and the management review needs of your global headquarters.
Explore Financial Reporting →The foundation of financial compliance in China. We manage your daily financial transactions, from invoice processing to payroll, ensuring all records strictly adhere to Chinese Accounting Standards (CAS) for accurate and audit-ready books.
Explore Monthly Bookkeeping & Daily Accounting →Frequently Asked Questions
1.Howoften must companies file taxesin China?
Most companies are required to submit monthly, quarterly, and annual taxreports depending on their business activities and tax registration status.
2.What is the Corporate Income Tax rate in China?
The standard Corporate Income Tax (CIT) rate is 25%. However, qualifiedHigh and New Technology Enterprises (HNTEs) may enjoy a reduced rateof15%.
3.What is VAT in China?
Value-Added Tax (VAT) is a consumption tax applied to the sale of goods,services, and imports. VAT rates vary depending on the industry andtransaction type.
4.What are the current VAT rates in China?
The most common VAT rates are:
- 13% for goods and manufacturing
- 9% for transportation and construction
- 6% for modern services and consulting
Specific rates depend on the business sector.
5.Can foreign companies claim VAT refunds?
Yes. Certain exporters and qualifying businesses may apply for VAT rebates or refunds under applicable regulations.
6.What is a Fapiao?
A Fapiao is an official tax invoice issued through China’s tax system. It serves as proof of a transaction and is often required for accounting and tax deduction purposes.
7.Can a newly established company issue Fapiao?
Yes. After completing tax registration and obtaining approval from tax authorities, a company can issue official invoices.
8.What accounting records must companies keep?
Companies should maintain:
- Financial statements
- Tax records
- Payroll records
- Bank statements
- Contracts
- Invoice records
These documents are important for audits and compliance reviews.
9.What is the annual audit requirement in China?
Many foreign-invested companies are required to undergo annual financial reporting procedures and submit annual compliance reports to relevant authorities.
10.What is the difference between bookkeeping and tax filing?
Bookkeeping involves recording financial transactions, while tax filing involves reporting taxable activities and paying taxes to government authorities.
11.Can foreian investors manage accounting themselves?
Although possible, most foreign investors choose professional accounting firms because Chinese tax regulations are complex and frequently updated.
12.What taxes does a trading company usually pay in China?
A trading company may be subject to:
- Corporate Income Tax
- Value-Added Tax
- Surcharges
- Employee-related taxes and contributions
Ready to strengthen your China financial compliance?
Speak with GEI about bookkeeping, tax filing, financial reporting and cross-border tax planning.
