不只是卖房税负下降，5%增值税将彻底退出

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that the VAT rate of 5% will gradually be reduced to 3%, aligning with the new VAT law effective from January 1, 2026, which establishes a simplified tax calculation method for small-scale taxpayers at a rate of 3% [1][2] - The new VAT law aims to simplify the tax structure by unifying the applicable rate to 3%, which reflects a policy consideration for tax reduction and balances the tax burden with general taxpayers [1][2] - The recent announcement by the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration indicates that the 5% VAT rate for individuals selling homes within two years will be replaced by a 3% rate, further supporting the transition away from the 5% rate [2] Group 2 - Currently, the 5% VAT rate applies mainly to real estate-related transactions, such as sales of properties acquired before April 30, 2016, and certain specific services like labor dispatch and financial leasing [3] - Experts predict that the 5% VAT rate, introduced during the transition from business tax to VAT in 2016, will be gradually adjusted to the 3% rate in line with the direction of simplifying the tax system [3]