Foshan Bookkeeping & Tax Filing for Foreign-Invested Enterprises
Monthly Bookkeeping · VAT Filing · CIT Reconciliation · Export VAT Refund · Annual Compliance
Finerise Consultants provides full-process Foshan bookkeeping and China tax filing services for foreign-invested enterprises. Our team handles monthly bookkeeping, VAT filing, corporate income tax reconciliation, export VAT refunds, and annual compliance — so you can focus on running your business, not on Chinese accounting regulations.
Foreign-invested enterprises in China must comply with the PRC Accounting Law, Enterprise Accounting Standards (PRC GAAP), and the Tax Collection and Administration Law. All statutory accounting records, vouchers, and financial statements must be kept in Chinese (Mandarin), and financial statements must be prepared and submitted on a monthly basis — typically by the 15th of the following month.
Whether you are a newly registered WFOE in Foshan, an existing foreign-invested enterprise changing your bookkeeping provider, or a company with no revenue that still needs to maintain compliance, our English-speaking advisors will map out the exact requirements and handle the process on your behalf.
Why Foreign-Invested Enterprises Need Professional Bookkeeping in China
THE COMPLIANCE IMPERATIVE · What Happens If You Don't Comply
Many foreign investors are surprised to learn that a Chinese company with no revenue still has bookkeeping and tax filing obligations. Even a dormant WFOE must maintain accounting records, file monthly VAT returns (nil returns where applicable), complete annual CIT reconciliation, and submit annual reports to multiple government agencies.
Key Compliance Risks
- Abnormal operations listing: Failure to file annual reports by June 30 results in the company being listed on the abnormal operations register, which affects bank account operations, government tenders, and the legal representative's credit record.
- Tax penalties and late fees: Missing monthly or quarterly VAT filing deadlines results in late payment surcharges and administrative fines.
- SAFE non-compliance: Foreign-invested enterprises must complete annual foreign exchange filings with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), typically by June 30. Non-compliance can restrict cross-border fund flows.
- Legal representative restrictions: Persistent non-compliance can result in restrictions on the legal representative's future business activities in China, including travel restrictions.
Our role: We monitor every filing deadline, prepare all financial statements in compliance with PRC GAAP, and submit filings to the tax authorities, market regulation bureau, and SAFE on your behalf. You receive monthly financial reports in English so you always know where you stand.
Our Bookkeeping & Tax Filing Services
WHAT WE DO · Full-Spectrum Financial Agency Services
01
Monthly Bookkeeping
We maintain your accounting records in Chinese under PRC GAAP, prepare monthly financial statements (balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement), and submit them to the tax authorities by the 15th of the following month. You receive an English-language monthly report for your internal use.
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02
VAT Filing & Management
We handle monthly VAT filing for general taxpayers and quarterly filing for small-scale taxpayers. We calculate output VAT, manage input VAT credits, and file all VAT returns before the 15th of the following month. We also advise on VAT exemption thresholds and invoice management.
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03
Corporate Income Tax (CIT)
We prepare quarterly CIT prepayments and complete the annual CIT reconciliation by May 31 each year. Our team manages tax adjustments between accounting income and taxable income, applies available tax incentives, and prepares the final tax return.
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04
Export VAT Refund
For trading and manufacturing companies with export operations, we handle export VAT refund registration, document review, and refund applications. We ensure your export documentation is complete and accurate to maximize your refund entitlement.
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05
Annual Compliance Filings
We manage all annual filings: NECIPS annual report (January 1 – June 30), MOFCOM foreign investment information report, SAFE annual foreign exchange filing, and statistical bureau filings. Our team tracks every deadline and submits on your behalf.
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06
Tax Planning & Advisory
We provide ongoing tax planning advice covering VAT optimization, CIT incentive eligibility, transfer pricing documentation, and cross-border transaction structuring. Our advisors keep you informed of regulatory changes that affect your tax position.
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Our Monthly Bookkeeping Workflow
HANDLED BY OUR TEAM · From Document Collection to Tax Filing
1
Document Collection & Organization
We collect your monthly business documents — sales invoices, purchase invoices, bank statements, expense receipts, payroll records, and contracts. We organize these documents according to PRC GAAP requirements and prepare them for accounting entry. All records are kept in Chinese as required by law.
2
Accounting Entry & Bookkeeping
Our team enters all transactions into the accounting system using standardised PRC GAAP account codes. We handle foreign currency conversions at the applicable spot exchange rates on the transaction date, and we maintain the three statutory ledgers — journal, general ledger, and subsidiary ledger.
3
Financial Statement Preparation
We prepare the monthly financial statements — balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement — in accordance with PRC GAAP. These statements are prepared in Chinese for submission to the tax authorities, and an English-language version is provided for your internal review.
4
VAT Calculation & Filing
We calculate your VAT liability, manage input VAT credit certification, and prepare the VAT return. For general taxpayers, we file monthly by the 15th of the following month. For small-scale taxpayers, we file quarterly by the 15th of the month following the quarter. We also manage invoice issuance and verification.
5
Other Tax Filings
We file individual income tax (IIT) withholding returns, urban maintenance and construction tax, education surcharges, stamp duty, and other applicable taxes on your behalf. All filings are submitted through the electronic tax bureau before their respective deadlines.
6
Monthly Report & Advisory
We provide you with a monthly financial report in English, including an income statement, balance sheet, and key tax metrics. Our advisors highlight any issues that require your attention and recommend adjustments where needed.
Important timing: VAT returns and IIT withholding returns are due by the 15th of the following month. CIT prepayments are due quarterly. Our team tracks every deadline and ensures all filings are submitted on time. Missing deadlines can result in late fees and administrative penalties.
Annual Compliance Calendar for Foreign-Invested Enterprises
KEY DEADLINES · Managed by Our Team
- January 1 – June 30: NECIPS annual report filing through the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System. All companies established in the previous year must file.
- January 1 – June 30: MOFCOM foreign investment information report for foreign-invested enterprises, submitted through the MOFCOM reporting system.
- January 1 – June 30: SAFE annual foreign exchange filing, including direct investment inventory equity data. Foreign-invested enterprises must complete this filing through the SAFE digital platform.
- March 1 – May 31: Annual CIT reconciliation for the previous tax year. For the 2025 tax year, the filing window is January 1 – May 31, 2026.
- April 30: Statutory audit report filing deadline for foreign-invested enterprises requiring an annual audit.
- May 31: Related-party transaction reporting for enterprises with related-party relationships, filed alongside the annual CIT reconciliation.
- June 30: Transfer pricing documentation deadline for multinational enterprises meeting the applicable thresholds.
Our approach: We maintain a compliance calendar for every client and send advance reminders before each deadline. Our team prepares all required documentation, completes the filings, and provides you with confirmation once submitted. You do not need to track these dates yourself — we handle it.
VAT Rates & Thresholds for Foreign-Invested Enterprises in 2026
KEY NUMBERS · For Planning Purposes
General Taxpayers
- Standard VAT rates: 13% for most goods, 9% for transportation, construction, and certain services, and 6% for modern services and consulting.
- Filing frequency: Monthly VAT returns due by the 15th of the following month.
- Input VAT credits: General taxpayers can credit input VAT against output VAT, reducing the net VAT payable.
Small-Scale Taxpayers
- VAT levy rate: The statutory levy rate for small-scale taxpayers is 3%. From January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027, taxable transactions are subject to a reduced rate of 1%.
- VAT exemption threshold: Small-scale taxpayers with monthly sales up to RMB 100,000 (or quarterly sales up to RMB 300,000) are exempt from VAT through December 31, 2027.
- Filing frequency: Quarterly filing is the default for small-scale taxpayers, with returns due by the 15th of the month following the quarter.
Our advisory: Whether your company is classified as a general taxpayer or small-scale taxpayer affects your VAT rate, filing frequency, and invoice management. Our team assesses your situation and advises on the optimal classification for your business model.
Related Services for Foreign-Invested Enterprises in Foshan
BEYOND BOOKKEEPING · Full Support for Your China Operations
01
Company Registration
WFOE, joint venture, and representative office setup in Foshan. Our team handles entity selection, name pre-approval, document preparation, and post-registration procedures.
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02
Work Permit & Z Visa
Full-process work permit and Z visa applications for foreign employees and their families, including talent classification and residence permit conversion.
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03
Trademark Registration
China trademark registration, renewal, opposition defence, and international protection through Madrid and EU registration.
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04
Corporate Compliance
Annual reporting, company changes, deregistration, and document notarisation. We manage NECIPS, MOFCOM, and SAFE annual filings.
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05
Offshore Company Formation
Hong Kong, Singapore, BVI, UK, and US company formation with bank account opening support for cross-border structures.
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06
Tax Advisory
Ongoing tax planning, transfer pricing documentation, and advisory on cross-border transactions and tax incentives.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foshan Bookkeeping
COMMON QUESTIONS FROM FOREIGN-INVESTED ENTERPRISES
Q1: Does a Chinese company with no revenue still need bookkeeping and tax filing?
Yes. Even a company with no revenue must maintain accounting records under PRC GAAP, file nil VAT returns (if applicable), complete annual CIT reconciliation, and submit annual reports to NECIPS and SAFE. Failure to comply results in abnormal operations listing and potential penalties. Our team manages all filings on your behalf, even for dormant entities.
Q2: How often must a foreign-invested enterprise file VAT in Foshan?
General taxpayers file VAT monthly by the 15th of the following month. Small-scale taxpayers file quarterly by the 15th of the month following the quarter (January, April, July, October). Our team handles both the calculation and the filing, and ensures all submissions are made before the deadline.
Q3: What is the CIT annual reconciliation and when is it due?
The CIT annual reconciliation is the final settlement of corporate income tax for the previous tax year. For the 2025 tax year, the filing window is January 1 – May 31, 2026. Our team prepares all supporting documentation, calculates any tax adjustments, and files the return before the deadline.
Q4: Can I use my own accounting software?
All statutory accounting records must be kept in Chinese and comply with PRC GAAP. While some foreign-invested enterprises use internationally recognised accounting software, the financial statements submitted to Chinese authorities must be prepared under PRC GAAP. Our team can work with your preferred software or use our own system, and we handle the conversion to PRC GAAP for regulatory filings.
Q5: What happens if we miss a tax filing deadline?
Missing a filing deadline results in late payment surcharges (calculated daily on the outstanding tax amount), administrative fines, and potential listing on the tax non-compliance register. Persistent non-compliance can affect the legal representative's credit record and the company's ability to conduct certain transactions. Our team tracks every deadline and sends advance reminders to prevent this.
Q6: Do you provide bookkeeping services in English?
Yes. While all statutory accounting records and filings are prepared in Chinese as required by law, our team provides monthly financial reports and tax summaries in English for your internal review. All communication with our advisors is conducted in English.
Ready to Outsource Your Foshan Bookkeeping?
CONTACT US · Confidential Consultation in English
Whether you are a newly registered WFOE in Foshan, an existing foreign-invested enterprise looking to change your bookkeeping provider, or a company that needs to catch up on overdue filings, Finerise Consultants is ready to assist. Our advisors will assess your situation and provide a detailed quotation for the full-service bookkeeping and tax filing package.
Contact us for a confidential consultation. All communication is conducted in English, and we handle the entire process on your behalf — from monthly bookkeeping to annual CIT reconciliation and all government filings.
