China’s celebrities and internet influencers given 10 days to pay outstanding taxes

Tax bureaus in some of nation’s most prosperous regions tell those with unpaid or incorrectly filed taxes to take action before year’s end or face punishment

It comes days after top e-commerce influencer Huang Wei, also known as Viya, was fined a record US$210 million for tax evasion

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Authorities issued the notice soon after live-streamer Huang Wei, or Viya, was fined for tax evasion. Photo: VCG via Getty Images

Published: 7:00am, 23 Dec 2021

Tax bureaus in some of China’s most prosperous regions have given celebrities and internet influencers a deadline of 10 days to pay their outstanding taxes, according to a notice issued on Wednesday.

The tax authorities in Beijing and Shanghai, and the provinces of Guangdong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu, have ordered those with outstanding taxes or who have filed their taxes incorrectly to promptly report and correct their filings before the end of the year, or face severe punishment, the government notice said.

It was issued days after one of China’s top e-commerce influencers, Huang Wei – also known as Viya – was fined a record 1.34 billion yuan (US$210 million) for tax evasion. Two other influencers were also punished and their Chinese social media accounts were deleted for the same offence in November.

“Celebrities, internet influencers and other public figures should strictly comply with tax regulations even more,” the notice said. “Those refusing to self-assess their [tax obligation] or who have done so incorrectly will be severely punished by the tax bureau in accordance with the laws and regulations.”