Ministry of Finance, R.O.C.
Laws and Regulations Retrieving System

Article　2　

This Act shall apply to all matters concerning the calculation, filing, payment and assessment of the Income Basic Tax. The provisions of the Income Tax Act and those related to tax incentives in other laws shall govern any such matters not provided for in this Act.

Article　3　

 A profit-seeking enterprise or an individual shall pay income tax in accordance with this Act, with the exception of cases coming under one of the following conditions:
1. A profit-seeking enterprise organized in the form of sole proprietorship or partnership.
2. An educational, cultural, public welfare and charitable organization or institution in accordance with Subparagraph 13 of Paragraph 1 of Article 4 of the Income Tax Act.
3. A consumer cooperative in accordance with Subparagraph 14 of Paragraph 1 of Article 4 of the Income Tax Act.
4. A public utility enterprise owned by governments at various levels in accordance with Subparagraph 19 of Paragraph 1 of Article 4 of the Income Tax Act.
5. An individual not residing in the territory of the Republic of China or a profit-seeking enterprise having no fixed place of business or business agent within the territory of the Republic of China in accordance with Paragraph 1, Article 73 of the Income Tax Act.
6. A profit-seeking enterprise filing its income tax return due to liquidation in accordance with Paragraph 2, Article 75 of the Income Tax Act; or a profit-seeking enterprise in the event of bankruptcy in accordance with Paragraph 6 of the same article of the Income Tax Act.
7. A profit-seeking enterprise that, in its annual or final income tax return, does not apply for any investment tax credit in accordance with any law and does not have any income within the scope of any of the subparagraphs of Paragraph 1 of Article 7.
8. An individual who, in his or her annual income tax return, does not apply for any investment tax credits in accordance with any law and does not have any amount within the scope of any of the subparagraphs of Paragraph 1 of Article 12 or Paragraph 1 of Article 12-1.
9. A profit-seeking enterprise whose basic income as calculated in accordance with Paragraph 1, Article 7 is equal to or less than NT$ 500,000.
10. An individual whose total amount of basic income as calculated in accordance with Paragraph 1, Article 12 and Paragraph 1, Article 12-1 is equal to or less than NT$ 6,000,000.
If the consumer price index has increased to reach a figure of 10% or higher compared to the index of the year of the last adjustment, the amount as described in Subparagraph 9 and Subparagraph 10 of the preceding paragraph shall be adjusted accordingly. The adjusted amount shall be calculated in units of NT$ 100,000; an amount less than NT$ 100,000 shall be calculated in units of NT$ 10,000 and then rounded to the nearest NT$ 100,000. The public announcement of the adjustment and consumer price index as indicated above shall be governed by mutatis mutandis Paragraph 4, Article 5 of the Income Tax Act.

Article　4　

If the amount of regular income tax for a profit-seeking enterprise or an individual is greater than or equal to the amount of basic tax, the income tax of the current year for the said enterprise or individual shall be calculated in accordance with the Income Tax Act and other relevant laws. If the amount of regular income tax is less than the amount of basic tax, the amount of income tax payable shall include both the amount as calculated in accordance with the Income Tax Act and other relevant laws, and the difference between the amount of basic tax and regular income tax.
The difference calculated in accordance with the preceding paragraph shall not be decreased by any investment tax credit granted under any other laws.

Article　5　

In the case that a profit-seeking enterprise or an individual files an income tax return under  Paragraph 1, Article 71; Paragraph 1 and Paragraph 2, Article 71-1; Paragraph 2, Article 73; Article 74; or Paragraph 1, Article 75 of the Income Tax Act, it/he/she shall calculate, file and pay income tax in accordance with this Act.
In the case that an individual is exempted from filing his or her annual income tax return in accordance with Paragraph 3, Article 71 of the Income Tax Act, he or she shall still calculate, file and pay income tax in accordance with this Act under the condition that his or her basic income exceeds the amount calculated in accordance with Subparagraph 10 of Paragraph 1 of Article 3.

Chapter　2　The calculation of the Basic Tax of Profit-seeking Enterprises
Article　6　

The amount of regular income tax of a profit-seeking enterprise shall be the balance of the tax payable calculated in accordance with Paragraph 1, Article 71; Paragraph 2, Article 73; Article 74; or Paragraph 1, Article 75 of the Income Tax Act, after subtraction of any investment tax credits in accordance with the provisions of other laws.

Article　7　

The amount of basic income of a profit-seeking enterprise shall be the sum of the taxable income as calculated in accordance with the Income Tax Act and any income that falls under the following subparagraphs:
1. The amount of income for which income tax is suspended in accordance with Article 4-1 and Article 4-2 of the Income Tax Act.
2. The amount of income for which profit-seeking enterprise income tax is exempted in accordance with Article 9, Article 9-2, Article 10, Article 15 and Article 70-1 of the now-abolished Statute for Upgrading Industries before its repeal.
3. The amount of income for which profit-seeking enterprise income tax is exempted in accordance with Article 8-1 of the now-abolished Statute for Upgrading Industries before its amendment on December 31, 1999.
4. The amount of income exempted from profit-seeking enterprise income tax in accordance with Article 28 of the Statute for Encouragement of Private Participation in Transportation Infrastructure Projects.
5. The amount of income exempted from profit-seeking enterprise income tax in accordance with Article 36 of the Act for Promotion of Private Participation in Infrastructure Projects.
6. The amount of income exempted from profit-seeking enterprise income tax in accordance with Article 18 of the Act for Establishment and Administration of Science Parks.
7. The amount of income for which profit-seeking enterprise income tax is exempted in accordance with Article 15 of the Act for Establishment and Administration of Science Parks before its amendment on January 20, 2001.
8. The amount of income exempted from profit-seeking enterprise income tax in accordance with Article 37 of the Business Mergers and Acquisitions Act.
9. The amount of income exempted from profit-seeking enterprise income tax in accordance with Article 13 of the Offshore Banking Act. However, such amount of income does not include the total revenue derived from a credit extension that shall be taxed at the prescribed withholding rate in accordance with Article 73-1 of the Income Tax Act.
10. The amount of income that is entitled to reduction or exemption from profit-seeking enterprise income tax or that is excluded from the income tax base as may be provided for in such laws after the implementation of this Act and publicly announced by the Ministry of Finance (hereinafter referred to as the MOF).
In the case of an amount of income which is added back in accordance with Subparagraph 1 and Subparagraph 9 of the preceding paragraph, the loss incurred after this Act coming into force and assessed by the tax authority may be offset against the income of the same subparagraph within five years from the year after such losses are derived.
Where any profit-seeking enterprise sells, starting from the fiscal year 2013, the stocks referred to in Article 4-1 of the Income Tax Act that were held for a period of three years or more, such enterprise, when calculating the amount of income derived from such transactions in the current year, should deduct the losses incurred by selling the stocks referred to in Article 4-1 of the Income Tax Act that were held for a period of three years or more in the same year, and, if the result is a positive balance, only one-half of such balance should be added into the current year's income derived from such transactions; otherwise, the preceding paragraph governs.
If a loss is incurred in a type of transaction for which the income is added back in accordance with Subparagraph 10 of Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2 may apply mutatis mutandis if so publicly announced by the MOF.

Article　8　

The amount of basic tax of a profit-seeking enterprise shall be the amount of basic income as calculated in accordance with the preceding article, with a deduction of NT$ 500,000, and then multiplied by the tax rate prescribed by the Executive Yuan. The tax rate shall not be more than fifteen percent nor less than twelve percent. The rate of imposition shall be prescribed by the Executive Yuan in view of economic circumstances.
As for the calculation for adjustment and public announcement of the amount of deduction as prescribed in the preceding paragraph, Paragraph 2 of Article 3 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

Article　9　

The amount of the balance of the basic tax in excess of the regular income tax paid in accordance with Paragraph 1 of Article 4, and the additional tax paid as determined by the tax authority after its assessment and investigation, may be added to the shareholders'  imputation credit account of the profit-seeking enterprise in accordance with Article 66-3 of the Income Tax Act. The reference date is the date of tax payment.
The amount of reduced income tax as determined by the tax authority after its assessment and investigation may be deducted from the shareholders'  imputation credit account of the profit-seeking enterprise. The reference date is the date of service of the tax refund notice.

Article　10　

(Deleted)

Chapter　3　The calculation of the Basic Tax of Individuals
Article　11　

The amount of regular income tax of an individual shall be the balance of the tax payable in accordance with Paragraph 1, Article 71 or Paragraph 1 or Paragraph 2, Article 71-1 of the Income Tax Act, after subtraction of his or her investment tax credits in accordance with the provisions of other laws.

Article　12　

The amount of basic income of an individual shall be the sum of the net taxable income as calculated in accordance with the Income Tax Act and the amount which is under the following subparagraphs:
1. Income derived from sources outside the Republic of China and excluded from gross consolidated income, as well as income which is exempted in accordance with Paragraph 1, Article 28 of the Laws and Regulations Regarding Hong Kong and Macau Affairs. However, if the aggregate of these two sources of income in a tax household is less than NT$1,000,000, it may be exempt from inclusion in the basic income.
2. Insurance payment received by the beneficiary of a life insurance policy or annuity in which the beneficiary and the policyholder are not the same person, and the life insurance policy and annuity take effect after the coming into force of this Act. However, in the case of payment made upon the death of the insured person, the part of which the aggregate payment received by a tax household is equal to or less than NT$30,000,000 may be excluded from the basic income.
3. Income derived from transactions of the following types of securities:
(1)Stocks, certificates of entitlement to new shares, certificates of payment and documents demonstrating title to shares issued by or privately placed by companies not listed on a stock exchange or traded on over-the-counter markets, except for those companies that have been approved by the central authority in charge of relevant enterprises as high-risk, innovative startups and have been incorporated for less than five years at the time of transaction.
(2)Beneficiary certificates of privately-placed securities investment trust funds.
4. The amount of non-cash donations or contributions which is deducted from the gross consolidated income in accordance with the Income Tax Act and other laws.
5. The amount of income or deduction which leads to reduction, exemption, or deduction from the consolidated income tax as may be provided for by laws which may be publicly announced by the MOF after the implementation of this Act.
The calculation of income from securities transactions under Subparagraph 3 of the preceding paragraph shall be governed by mutatis mutandis Subparagraph 1 and Subparagraph 2 of Category 7 of Paragraph 1 of Article 14 of the Income Tax Act. The loss incurred from the mentioned securities transactions may be deducted from income derived from securities transactions performed in the same year. If no income or no sufficient income derived from security transactions in the same year is available for deduction, the loss may be carried forward for the next three years following the year of the loss. However, the claim of deduction of loss shall apply only to such income and loss as are calculated based on the actual transaction price and the original cost in both the year in which the loss is incurred and the year in which the deduction is claimed and only at the amount assessed by the tax authority.
For the purpose of auditing income derived from securities transactions under Subparagraph 3, Paragraph 1, the regulations governing the recognition of the transaction price, costs, and expenses of securities transactions, as well as the assessment of such in the case of a failure to file or a failure to present the actual transaction price or the original cost shall be promulgated by the MOF.
In the case of an amount of reduction, exemption or deduction which shall be added back to the base of the basic tax in accordance with Subparagraph 5, Paragraph 1, if a loss occurs, Paragraph 3 may apply mutatis mutandis if so publicly announced by the MOF.
Paragraph 2, Article 3 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the calculation for adjustment and public announcement for the amount prescribed in Subparagraph 2, Paragraph 1.
With regard to the high-risk innovative startups referred to in the proviso of Item 1 of Subparagraph 3 of Paragraph 1, the MOF and the Ministry of Economic Affairs shall together promulgate regulations to stipulate the scope of application, qualifications, the deadline to apply for approval, the application procedure, the documents for review, which authority to give the approval, and other related matters.
Subparagraph 1, Paragraph 1 shall come into force on January 1, 2009. However, if the Executive Yuan deems it necessary in consideration of the needs of economic development, it shall come into force on January 1, 2010.

Article　12-1　

 If an individual and his or her related parties directly or indirectly hold 50% or more of the shares or capital of a foreign affiliated enterprise  in a low-tax country or jurisdiction, or have a significant influence on such a foreign affiliated enterprise, and the foreign affiliated enterprise does not fall under any of the subparagraphs of Paragraph 1, Article 43-3 of the Income Tax Act, and the individual, either alone or with his or her spouse and relatives within the second degree of kinship, holds 10% or more of the shares or capital of the foreign affiliated enterprise, then the surplus earnings of the foreign affiliated enterprise shall be recognized as the individual's income from profit-seeking activities, which is calculated according to the individual's holding ratio of the shares or capital to the total shares or capital, aggregated with the income calculated in accordance with Subparagraph 1, Paragraph 1 of the preceding article, and included in the individual's basic income of the current year. However, if the aggregate income in a tax household is less than NT$1,000,000, it shall be exempt from inclusion in the individual's basic income.
The term "a low-tax country or jurisdiction" as mentioned in the preceding paragraph shall be determined in accordance with Paragraph 2, Article 43-3 of the Income Tax Act.
From the year in which the foreign affiliated enterprise meets the requirements of Paragraph 1, if the losses of each year incurred in the foreign affiliated enterprise have been duly audited and attested to in accordance with Paragraph 3, Article 43-3 of the Income Tax Act, filed by the aforementioned individual and assessed by the tax authority, such losses may be deducted from surplus earnings of the foreign affiliated enterprise within ten years following the year the losses occurred, and then the individual's income from profit-seeking activities shall be calculated in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 1.
When the aforementioned individual receives the dividends or surplus earnings from the foreign affiliated enterprise, the remaining sum of the received amount after deducting the income from profit-seeking activities calculated in accordance with Paragraph 1 shall be included in the income of the receiving year calculated in accordance with Subparagraph 1, Paragraph 1 of the preceding article. However, the income from profit-seeking activities calculated in accordance with Paragraph 1 which was exempt from inclusion in the basic income shall not be deducted.
If the income tax on the income from profit-seeking activities provided in Paragraph 1 was paid in accordance with the tax law of the source jurisdiction in the receiving year, such tax paid may, upon presentation by the taxpayer of evidence of tax payment certificates issued by the tax authorities of said source jurisdiction and attested to by an overseas agency of the Republic of China or other organizations recognized by the Government of the Republic of China in the said locality, be credited against the amount of basic tax payable calculated in accordance with the forepart of Paragraph 1, Article 13, within five years from the date following the expiration date of the statutory period for filing the tax return in the year the income from profit-seeking activities is included into the basic income. The credited amount shall not exceed the amount of basic tax which is increased due to including such income from profit-seeking activities under regulations.
The regulations governing the scope of related parties, affiliated enterprises, a significant influence, calculation of the income from profit-seeking activities, the deduction of losses, and foreign tax credits; the relevant calculation method; required documents; and other requirements specified in the preceding five paragraphs shall be prescribed by the MOF.
If an affiliated enterprise specified in Paragraph 1 is subject to Article 43-4 of the Income Tax Act, it is not subject to the preceding six paragraphs.

Article　13　

The amount of basic tax of an individual shall be the amount of basic income as calculated in accordance with Article 12 and Paragraph 1 of the preceding article with a deduction of NT$6,000,000 and then multiplied by the tax rate of twenty percent. However, in the case where income tax has been paid on the income under Subparagraph 1 of Paragraph 1 of Article 12, in accordance with the tax laws of the source  jurisdiction of that income, such tax paid may be credited against the basic tax. The credited amount shall not exceed the amount of basic tax which, computed by the above mentioned method, is increased due to including such income.
When a taxpayer applies for tax credit as described in the preceding paragraph, he or she shall present the evidence of tax payment certificates issued by the tax authorities of the said source jurisdiction for the same tax year and attested to by an overseas agency of the Republic of China or other organizations recognized by the Government of the Republic of China in the said locality.
Paragraph 2, Article 3 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the calculation for adjustment and public announcement of the amount of the deduction prescribed in Paragraph 1.

Article　14　

In the case where an individual, as well as his or her spouse and dependents who shall file a consolidated income tax return jointly in accordance with the Income Tax Act, has an amount of income or deduction which is covered by any of the subparagraphs of Paragraph 1 of Article 12 and Paragraph 1, Article 12-1, the taxpayer shall include any such amount in his or her return for the calculation of basic income.

Chapter　4　Penalty Provisions
Article　15　

In the case of a profit-seeking enterprise or an individual that has calculated and filed the basic income in accordance with the provisions of this Act, any omission or under-reporting of the basic tax shall be subject to a fine of no more than twice the amount of the tax evaded.
In the case of a profit-seeking enterprise or an individual that fails to calculate and file the basic income in accordance with the provisions of this Act, and that is found by the tax authority to have taxable income hereunder, it/he/she shall, in addition to paying the amount of income tax assessed and determined by tax authority in accordance with this Act, be subject to a fine of no more than three times the amount of tax determined as payable.

Article　15-1　

In case any profit-seeking enterprise or individual is found to have improperly evaded or reduced the tax burden for him or herself or for other person(s) by means of transfer of funds or shareholder's equity, or any other fictitious arrangement with any other domestic or foreign individual, profit-seeking enterprise, educational, cultural, public welfare and charitable organization or institution, the tax authority for the purpose of accurately computing the amounts of basic income and basic income tax of the relevant taxpayers may, after investigation and with the approval of the MOF, make necessary adjustment according to the facts of actual transactions of investigation in accordance with the relevant laws.

Chapter　5　Supplementary Provisions
Article　16　

If income referred to in Subparagraphs 2 to 8 of Paragraph 1 of Article 7 meets one of the following conditions, the income may be excluded from the amount of basic income of a profit-seeking enterprise:
1. In the case where an approval of tax exemption has been granted by the MOF by the date when this Act comes into force.
2. In the case where an investment plan has been completed or a certificate of completion has been given by the relevant competent authority by the date when this Act comes into force and provided that an approval of tax exemption is granted by the MOF within one year of the date when this Act comes into force.
3. In the case where an investment plan has been approved through a letter of approval issued by the relevant competent authority and the implementation of such plan has begun by the date when this Act comes into force and provided that the product or service item described in the plan has not been changed.
4. In the case where an investment plan has been approved through a letter of approval issued by the relevant competent authority, and though not yet begun by the date when this Act comes into force, provided that the implementation of such plan begins within one year of the date when this Act comes into force and is completed within three years of the next day of the date when the letter of approval is issued, and the product or service item described in the plan has not been changed.
5. In the case where a private institution has entered into an agreement   with a competent authority to invest in an infrastructure project by the date when this Act comes into force, provided that the implementation of the project has begun and been completed in accordance with the dates set out in the agreement, and provided that there have been no changes in the investment plan except in circumstances where the change in the content of the agreement is requested by the competent authority.

Article　17　

The enforcement rules of this Act shall be prescribed by the MOF.

Article　18　

This Act shall come into force on January 1, 2006, except as stipulated otherwise; however, Article 15 shall come into force on January 1, 2007.
The amendments of this Act promulgated on August 8, 2012 shall come into force in fiscal year 2013. The effective date of the amendments promulgated on May 10, 2017 shall be decided by the Executive Yuan. The amendments of this Act on December 30, 2020 shall come into force on January 1, 2021.