Viewpoints from Kaizen
Guide to Relocating/Settling Down in Singapore
Guide to Relocating/Settling Down in Singapore Singapore is considered by many investor/business owner as the gateway to ASEAN by having one of the lowest corporate tax rates and the government business-friendly policies make its easy for foreign companies to relocate or set up their office in Singapore. A number of famous entrepreneurs (UK billionaire James Dyson and the owner of Haidilao Hot Pot Zhang Yong) had relocate their headquarter/office to Singapore in order to take advantage of the great number of business opportunities and benefits is offers. This article will give you an overview on the reason to relocation to Singapore, the procedure as well as how to settle down in Singapore. The Advantages of Singapore (1) Extensive Double Tax Treaties Singapore has an extensive network of double tax agreements (DTA), with more than 80 counties across the global. The key benefits of a […]
Introduction to Air Travel Bubble Singapore-Hong Kong
Introduction to Air Travel Bubble Singapore-Hong Kong Singapore and Hong Kong have reached an in-principle agreement to establish a two-way Air Travel Bubble (“ATB”). This will allow travel between both cities without quarantine. The ATB is a milestone arrangement between two aviation hubs and seeks to revive air travel in a safe and progressive way. Eligibility Criteria for ATB (1) Flying from Singapore You are eligible to fly from Singapore to Hong Kong under the ATB arrangement if you: (a) have stayed in Singapore and/or Hong Kong at least 14 consecutive days before departure. (b) fly direct on a designated ATB flight. (c) are not a Work Permit or S Pass holder working in construction, marine shipyard or process sectors. (d) test negative for Covid-19 within 72 hours before your flights and upon your arrival at Hong Kong International Airport. You will […]
U.S. Individual Tax-Itemized Deduction or Standard Deduction?
U.S. Individual Tax-Itemized Deduction or Standard Deduction? There are two ways you can take deductions on your federal income tax return: you can itemize deductions or use the standard deduction. Deductions reduce the amount of your taxable income. You should choose the deduction method, which is the most tax advantageous to you. The standard deduction amount varies depending on your income, age, whether or not you are blind, and filing status and changes each year. For 2020, the standard deduction for married filing jointly is $24,800. For single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately, the standard deduction is $12,400, and for heads of households, the standard deduction will be $18,650 for tax year 2020. Please note that certain taxpayers cannot use the standard deduction: A married individual filing as married filing separately whose spouse itemizes deductions. An individual who files a tax return for a period […]
Tips When You Hire Employees in U.S.
Tips When You Hire Employees in U.S. As a business owner, you must obtain the following information when you hire employees: Eligibility to Work in the United States You must use Form I-9 to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States. Both employees and employers (or authorized representatives of the employer) must complete the form. Employee’s Social Security Number You are required to get each employee’s name and Social Security Number (SSN) and to enter them on Form W-2. You should ask your employee to show you his or her social security card and record the information. Please note that an individual with an ITIN who later becomes eligible to work in the United States must obtain an SSN. Employee’s Withholding You should have a Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate, on file for each […]
Social Security Collected by Tax Bureau in Shanghai
Social Security Collected by Tax Bureau in Shanghai In 2018, “Plan for the reform of the state and local tax collection and administration systems” issued by General Office of the China Central Committee and General Office of the State Council has clearly proposed the scheme that the social security will be collected by tax bureau. Now, the contribution of social security for the company and the flexible employment will start to be collected by tax bureau from November 1st, 2020. For more information, please refer to “The notice of social security collected by Tax Bureau” issued on October 30th, 2020. The scope of contribution for social security could refer to the following chart: Category Social security Company Pension insurance, medical insurance (include maternity insurance), occupational injury insurance and unemployment insurance Flexible Employment (Including self-employed businesses without employees, part-time employees who are not participating in basic pension insurance […]
Restrictions on Labour Dispatch in China
Restrictions on Labour Dispatch in China The term labour dispatch refers to the practice of hiring employees through a labour dispatch service agency, as opposed to direct employment. There is a triangular relationship among the labour dispatch agency, the actual employer and the dispatched employees, where the actual employer enters into a labour dispatch service contract with a labour dispatch service agency and the agency enters into a labour contract with the employee and then dispatches the employee to work for the actual employer. As a tool for flexible headcount, labour dispatch used to be a mainstream employment arrangement in China. However, in practice, the abuse of labour dispatch arrangements has damaged the legitimate rights of the dispatched employees. In order to regulate the use of labour dispatch arrangements and offer better protection to dispatched employees, China has issued a serial of new regulations on labour dispatch. The […]
New Business Registration Rules to be Implemented in Shenzhen China
New Business Registration Rules to be Implemented in Shenzhen China On 5 November 2020, the Standing Committee of Shenzhen Municipal People’s Congress officially issued the revised Business Registration Rules in Shenzhen Special Economic Zone (hereinafter referred to as the Rules). The revised Rules will come into force on 1 March 2021. The major changes in this revision are as follows: Strike Off System According to Article 27 of the new Rules, if a commercial entity is listed in the abnormal operation list or marked as abnormal operation status for two years due to failure to get in touch through its registered address or business place, and no tax declaration in recent two years, the business registration authority may make a decision to strike off its name from the register. When the name of a commercial entity has been stroked off, it is also required to complete […]
INTRODUCTION TO TECH.PASS IN SINGAPORE
INTRODUCTION TO TECH.PASS IN SINGAPORE Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB) announced on 12 November that it will launch a new “Tech.Pass” to promote the city-state’s technology ecosystem and make it a regional hub for technology. With the support of the Ministry of Manpower, the Economic Development Board will examine applications for the Tech.Pass. The program is expected to open for application in January 2021 and is currently limited to 500 slots. Application requirements for Tech.Pass As long as two of the three conditions are met, the pass holders will have the flexibility to participate in activities such as starting and operating business, or be an investor, employee, consultant or director in Singapore-based companies. They can also act as a mentor to start-ups or lecture at local universities. Three conditions are as follows: Have a last drawn fixed monthly salary in the past year of […]
China to Promote Notification Commitment System Countrywide
China to Promote Notification Commitment System Countrywide On 9 November 2020, the General Office of the State Council of the PRC officially issued a guideline on full implementation of the notification and commitment system for certification issues and enterprise related license issues, which announced the full implementation of the notification commitment system in processing administrative affairs nationwide. What is the notification commitment system for certification issues? Under the notification commitment system of certification issues, the administrative authorities of the government shall inform the applicant in written form (including electronic text) of the proof obligation, proof content and legal liability of false commitment when citizens, legal persons and other organizations apply to process administrative affairs. The applicant promises in writing that it has met the relevant requirements of the notification and is willing to bear the legal liability of false commitment. The administrative authorities shall no longer ask for […]
U.S. New York State Individual Withholding Tax Requirements
U.S. New York State Individual Withholding Tax Requirements If you are an employer as described in federal Publication 15, Circular E, Employer’s Tax Guide, and you maintain an office or transact business within New York State, whether or not a paying agency is maintained within the state, you must withhold personal income tax. Out-of-state employers who are not incorporated or licensed under New York State law and do not maintain an office or transact business in New York State are not required to withhold New York State, New York City, or Yonkers income taxes on employees who reside in New York State. If an out-of-state employer agrees to withhold New York State, New York City, or Yonkers income taxes for the convenience of the employee, then the employer is subject to New York State withholding requirements. Employers should withhold tax for the following employees: (1) […]