5 Briefly explain the consequences of the following actions, including any fines or other penalty that may be imposed: (a) Failure to apply for tax registration. (2 marks) (b) Non performance of tax withholding by an agent. (2 marks) (c) Failure to file a tax return. (2 marks) (d) Fraudulently obtaining a tax refund on an export. (4 marks) (10 marks) 5 (a) The tax authority will impose a period for the taxpayer to remedy the situation and, if no remedy is made within the period, may impose a fine up to RMB 2,000. If the case is serious, the tax authority may impose a fine greater than RMB 2,000 but not more than RMB 10,000. 2 (b) If a withholding agent does not perform its statutory duty to withhold tax under the relevant tax laws, the tax authority will pursue the tax from the taxpayer and impose a fine of over 50% but no more than three times the tax on the agent. 2 (c) Where a tax payer or tax withholding agent fails to make a tax filing within the prescribed time limit, the tax authority will order the failure to be rectified within a prescribed time limit and impose a fine up to RMB 2,000. If the taxpayer or withholding agent still fails to comply, the tax authority may impose a fine greater than RMB 2,000 but not more than RMB 10,000. 2 (d) Where a tax payer fraudulently gains an export tax refund by deceptive means such as fraudulently declaring the export, the tax authority will pursue the repayment of the tax refund and impose a fine of over one time but not more than five times the tax refund. Criminal liability may also be pursued when a term of imprisonment ranging from below five years to a life sentence may be imposed depending on the seriousness of the offence. 4 –––– 10 –––– |