专访李华：个税改革应重点加强对全球所得的监控

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of personal income tax and its threshold as a key element in determining taxpayers' pre-tax deductions, which directly impacts their economic burden and is a focal point for public concern [2][4][6]. Policy Context - The Chinese government aims to improve the personal income tax system by gradually establishing a combined comprehensive and classified tax system, as highlighted in various party congress reports [2][3]. - The 2025 National People's Congress is expected to see proposals for increasing the personal income tax threshold or enhancing deductions, particularly in high-cost areas like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen [3][4]. Current Tax Structure - The current personal income tax threshold has remained unchanged since 2018, set at 5,000 yuan per month, with 64% of personal income tax revenue derived from wage and salary income, effectively making it a "salary tax" [3][4]. - The classification of income for tax purposes has been expanded from four categories to nine, including new categories such as business income and capital gains, to enhance revenue management [3][4]. Tax Deductions and Fairness - The special additional deductions for personal income tax have been continuously improved, covering various living expenses such as education, medical care, and housing [4][5]. - The tax system aims to reduce income disparity through differentiated tax burdens, ensuring that high-income earners contribute a larger share of taxes while lower-income individuals may not pay taxes at all [4][5][9]. Challenges in Tax Administration - There are significant challenges in regulating non-wage income compared to wage income, leading to potential inequities in tax burdens [10][11]. - The current system struggles to adequately cover flexible employment and new economic sectors, resulting in mismatches in tax policy application [10][11]. Future Directions - Future reforms may focus on increasing the threshold for personal income tax and optimizing the tax structure to ensure sustainability while promoting fairness [12][14]. - The introduction of a progressive deduction system based on income levels could help address disparities and enhance the equity of the tax system [15][14].