Tax Health and Dispute Strategies for Foreign Firms in China
Published: August 2025Foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) operating in China must treat tax health as a competitive advantage—not just a compliance requirement. With advanced enforcement tools like Golden Tax Phase IV and credit-based taxation, companies face increasing scrutiny. This issue of China Briefing Magazine provides a strategic roadmap to proactive tax management, covering how to optimize internal controls, prepare for audits, and resolve disputes effectively. It is ideal for CFOs, tax managers, and compliance teams looking to minimize risk and safeguard relations with China’s tax authorities.
Tax compliance in China has evolved into a strategic imperative for foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs). With fiscal pressures mounting and tax authorities deploying sophisticated enforcement tools—including real-time monitoring through Golden Tax Phase IV and credit-based taxpayer evaluation—businesses face heightened expectations around accuracy, transparency, and risk management.
This issue of China Briefing Magazine explores how FIEs can proactively build and maintain tax health to access preferential policies, reduce exposure, and foster stable relationships with regulators. It combines policy updates, real-world case studies, and expert recommendations to support companies navigating China’s evolving tax environment.
What you'll find inside:
- Why Tax Health Matters in China: Discover how proactive tax governance enhances competitiveness and protects against penalties.
- Building and Maintaining Tax Health: Learn practical strategies for strong internal controls, proper documentation, and early red-flag detection.
- Resolving Disputes Strategically: Understand how to engage, escalate, or resolve audits and disputes efficiently, minimizing disruption and reputational risk.
With China’s enforcement growing increasingly precise and punitive, this guide equips foreign businesses with the tools to shift from reactive compliance to proactive tax resilience, ensuring long-term stability and confidence in operating within China’s tax system.