Local corporations pay higher corporate income tax

Local enterprises expressed concerned over one regulation that has led to higher corporate income tax rates. — Photo vneconomy.vn

HÀ NỘI — Many local enterprises are concerned with paying higher corporate income tax according to regulations on the deductibility of loan interest under Decree  二0, in effect since May  一,  二0 一 七.

Large enterprises such as EVN, Vinacomin, Vicem, Lilama and some private enterprises have sent a request to the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to change the regulation on deductibility of loan interest, reported .

In a letter sent to the MoF, EVN said re-lending activities with its members are implemented in accordance with Government regulations and market rules.

Limiting expenses for loan interest according to deductibility would make investment activities more difficult for EVN and its members, especially power generation companies, to develop power projects.

Higher demand for electricity in the coming months is expected to lead to an increase in EVN’s investment in new projects. However, EVN’s members do not have enough capital to meet investment demand, so they need to use domestic and foreign loans.

Under the regulation, EVN Genco  一 and EVN Genco  三 would see their corporate income tax bills increase by VNĐ 三 三 九 billion and VNĐ 二 一 六 billion, respectively. Meanwhile, EVN would pay an additional VNĐ 七 六 二 billion.

Some other large enterprises expect to pay more as well. Vinacomin (TKV) would pay an additional VNĐ 四 一0 billion, Masan Group would add VNĐ 一 一 一 billion to its tax bill and Novaland would add VNĐ 一 八 五 billion.

According to Decree  二0/ 二0 一 七/NĐ-CP, the deductibility of loan interest is capped at  二0 per cent of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA). Expenses for loan interest exceeding  二0 per cent are taxable.

Vietnamese businesses, especially those investing in key industries, end up paying higher income taxes because they borrow huge amounts of capital.

Lenders must pay taxes on income from the loan interest, while borrowers pay for exceeding the borrowing costs ceiling.

The regulation has also made corporations limit their investment in business development in some fields that need to encourage development.

Capping the interest rate ceiling for loans impacts lending and borrowing activities that are co妹妹on in state corporations and private firms. — VNS