China's State Taxation Administration (STA) said the electronic tax bureau is
now fully rolled out, with most high-frequency services — daily filings, invoice
issuance, social-security fee refunds and personal social-security payment
queries — available online or via mobile. Smart tax-service coverage has risen
to 85% and average processing time has shortened about 20%; pilots of
payment-triggered invoicing in parking, supermarkets, catering and lodging have
improved consumer invoicing efficiency. The STA said it has optimized its
"buy-now-refund-now" departure tax service: in 1H foreign travelers claiming
departure tax refunds rose 366% YoY, while sales of tax-refund goods and refund
amounts were up 69% YoY.
