The fundamental tax laws and regulations are formulated by the National People's Congress (NPC), its Standing Committee, and the State Council.China's current tax system comprises 18 types of taxes which can be broadly categorized into the following four groups based on their nature and function:.
Goods and Services Taxes
Includes: Value-Added Tax (VAT), Consumption Tax, Vehicle Purchase Tax, and Customs Duties (4 types). These taxes are levied on production, distribution, and service sectors based on taxpayers' sales revenue (volume), business income, or the price (quantity) of imported/exported goods.
Income Taxes
Includes: Corporate Income Tax, Individual Income Tax, and Land Appreciation Tax (which has income tax characteristics) (3 types).These taxes are imposed at the income distribution stage, based on profits earned by enterprises or income received by individuals.
Property and Behavior Taxes
Includes: Property Tax, Urban Land Use Tax, Farmland Occupation Tax, Deed Tax, Resource Tax, Vehicle and Vessel Tax, Tonnage Tax, Stamp Tax, and Environmental Protection Tax (introduced in 2018). These taxes are levied on properties owned or used by taxpayers.
Other Taxes
Includes: Urban Maintenance and Construction Tax, Tobacco Tax, etc.
Non-Tax Revenue Collected by Tax Authorities
In addition to taxes, the state mandates that tax authorities collect the following three types of fees and government revenue items:
1. Education Surcharge (including Local Education Surcharge)
2. Cultural Industry Construction Fee
3. Social Insurance Premiums (covering basic pension insurance, basic medical insurance, unemployment insurance, and work-related injury insurance).