Corporate Income Tax (CIT) in Vietnam: An In-Depth Exploration

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Vietnam Corporate Tax2023-12-22T17:59:48+08:00

Corporate Income Tax (CIT) in Vietnam holds a pivotal position within the country’s tax framework, exerting significant influence on both local and foreign enterprises. Grasping the nuances of CIT is paramount for businesses operating in Vietnam, as it directly impacts their fiscal responsibilities. This article endeavors to furnish a comprehensive guide to CIT in Vietnam, encompassing its rates, exemptions, criteria for taxable income determination, and more, presented in a distinct and organized manner.

CIT Fundamentals

Entities Subject to CIT

Comprehensive Coverage

CIT in Vietnam encompasses a wide spectrum of business entities, including professional organizations, foreign corporations engaged in production and trade within Vietnam, and more.

Legal Framework

Entities subject to CIT in Vietnam are established under various legal statutes, including the Law on Enterprises, Law on Investment, Law on Credit Institutions, Law on Securities, and Commercial Law. This umbrella encompasses joint-stock companies, limited liability companies, partnerships, and business cooperation contracts.

Permanent Establishments

Foreign enterprises operating in Vietnam may establish permanent establishments, such as branches, representative offices, factories, and the like, through which they conduct business operations. These establishments may be subject to CIT on both domestic and international income associated with their activities.

CIT Rates and Special Provisions

Standard CIT Rate

The prevailing CIT rate for both domestic and foreign enterprises in Vietnam stands at 20 percent, except when specific conditions or exemptions come into play.

Unique CIT Rates

Certain industries or activities in Vietnam are subject to distinct CIT rates, which include:

  • Petroleum and gas exploration and exploitation: 32 to 50 percent
  • Rare mineral mining (e.g., silver, gold, gemstones): 40 or 50 percent
  • Platinum, gold, silver, tin, wolfram mines: 50 percent (or 40 percent in specific scenarios)
  • 3.3 CIT for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)

SMEs, characterized by companies with annual turnover not exceeding VND 20 billion (US$860,000), are subject to a 20 percent CIT rate.

Handling Multiple Tax Rates

In instances where an enterprise engages in diverse business activities subject to varying CIT rates, the CIT is computed by summing the income derived from each activity, each multiplied by the relevant tax rate for that specific activity.

Incentives for Taxation

Numerous local and foreign companies may be eligible for an array of tax incentives in Vietnam, encompassing reduced CIT rates, tax holidays, and circumstances where CIT can be as low as 10 percent.

Corporate Income Tax (CIT) Incentives

CIT incentives serve as a cornerstone of Vietnam’s allure to foreign investors, extending benefits to both local and foreign investors with the objective of promoting investment in sectors aligned with national development strategies. The types of projects qualifying for CIT incentives, alongside the nature and duration of these incentives, are explicitly delineated within Vietnam’s legal framework, including decrees and circulars.

There are two primary CIT incentives in Vietnam:

Determining Taxable Corporate Income

Taxable income comprises revenue from typical sources like production, trade, and services, as well as additional income sources such as capital transfers, real estate transfers, and interest on deposits.

CIT Exemptions

Certain categories of income, such as those stemming from scientific research and technological development contracts, are exempt from CIT.

Carrying Forward Net Losses

Business entities that fail to generate profits in a given fiscal year can carry forward their losses for a maximum of five years, though retroactive application to previous tax years is not permissible.

Jurisdiction of Tax Payments

Entities are mandated to remit CIT in the regions where their headquarters are situated. If an enterprise maintains a subsidiary cost accounting production establishment in a different province or city, taxes are calculated and remitted in both the locale of the headquarters and the locale of the production establishment.

Your Questions, Answered

We’ve picked the top questions that we get asked the most when it comes to Vietnam corporate tax. Check them out here.

What is Corporate Income Tax (CIT) in Vietnam?2023-11-10T19:33:58+08:00

Corporate Income Tax (CIT) in Vietnam is a direct tax imposed on the profits earned by enterprises and organizations conducting business activities in the country. It plays a pivotal role in the nation’s tax framework, impacting both local and foreign businesses.

How often do businesses need to pay CIT in Vietnam?2023-11-10T19:33:29+08:00

CIT obligations in Vietnam are met on a quarterly basis. Enterprises are required to make provisional CIT payments each quarter within 30 days of the preceding quarter. These payments are based on approximations of business outcomes drawn from prior years.

What are the entities subject to CIT in Vietnam?2023-11-10T19:32:48+08:00

CIT in Vietnam covers a wide spectrum of business entities, including professional organizations, foreign corporations engaged in production and trade within Vietnam, and more. This includes joint-stock companies, limited liability companies, partnerships, and entities established under various legal statutes.

What are the CIT rates in Vietnam?2023-11-10T19:36:00+08:00

The standard CIT rate for both domestic and foreign enterprises in Vietnam is 20 percent. However, specific industries or activities may be subject to unique rates, such as petroleum and gas exploration, rare mineral mining, and certain mines like platinum, gold, silver, tin, and wolfram.

Are there incentives for CIT in Vietnam?2023-11-10T19:39:32+08:00

Yes, there are various incentives for CIT in Vietnam, including preferential tax rates and tax holidays. These incentives aim to attract both local and foreign investors and are explicitly outlined in Vietnam’s legal framework, including decrees and circulars.

Can businesses carry forward net losses in Vietnam?2023-11-10T19:39:40+08:00

Yes, businesses in Vietnam that fail to generate profits in a given fiscal year can carry forward their net losses for a maximum of five years. However, retroactive application to previous tax years is not permissible.

Where should entities remit CIT payments in Vietnam?2023-11-10T19:39:50+08:00

Entities are mandated to remit CIT in the regions where their headquarters are situated. If an enterprise maintains a subsidiary cost accounting production establishment in a different province or city, taxes are calculated and remitted in both the locale of the headquarters and the locale of the production establishment.

What are the exemptions from CIT in Vietnam?2023-11-10T19:39:59+08:00

Certain categories of income, such as those stemming from scientific research and technological development contracts, are exempt from CIT in Vietnam.

How can businesses benefit from incentives in economic zones?2023-11-10T19:40:06+08:00

Vietnam actively encourages the establishment of economic zones, providing investors with enhanced access to infrastructure and tax incentives. Foreign investors in these zones may qualify for tax holiday incentives, and in some cases, preferential corporate income tax rates may apply.

How can businesses determine their taxable corporate income in Vietnam?2023-11-10T19:40:11+08:00

Taxable income in Vietnam comprises revenue from typical sources like production, trade, and services, as well as additional income sources such as capital transfers, real estate transfers, and interest on deposits.

Our Vietnam Corporate Tax Services

In conclusion, Corporate Income Tax in Vietnam stands as a cornerstone of the nation’s tax structure, significantly influencing a diverse range of enterprises. Grasping the intricacies, rates, and exemptions is essential for businesses operating in Vietnam. This comprehensive guide aims to shed light on CIT in Vietnam, empowering enterprises to navigate their tax responsibilities effectively.

Keeping you updated with Vietnam’s corporate tax regulations and compliance requirements

Monitoring the statutory deadlines and meet the compliance filing deadlines

Preparation for filing of your estimated chargeable income and review of tax provision calculations

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