Inside China's data-driven hunt for taxes on overseas gains

Rich told to self-assess and pay up, boosting local coffers but risking exodus

20241215 China flag and Yuan

Chinese tax authorities are harnessing the power of big data to step up enforcement and collect levies on offshore gains. (Nikkei montage/Source photo by Akira Kodaka)

STELLA YIFAN XIE and ECHO WONG, Nikkei staff writers

HONG KONG -- China is prodding its citizens to pay taxes on overseas investment gains, as authorities harness the power of big data to close gaps in enforcement.

Individuals profiting from a range of financial investments offshore -- including insurance policies, family trusts and foreign stock trading -- are receiving texts and notices from local tax offices asking them to conduct self-assessments on overseas capital gains over the past two years and settle any unpaid amount, multiple people familiar with the matter told Nikkei Asia.

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