From 1 January, contraceptives will be subject to a 13% VAT rate – part of a carrot-and-stick approach by the government to increase births

From 1 January, contraceptives will be subject to a 13% VAT rate – part of a carrot-and-stick approach by the government to increase births

China is set to impose a value-added tax (VAT) on condoms and other contraceptives for the first time in three decades, as the country tries to boost its birthrate and modernise its tax laws.

From 1 January, condoms and contraceptives will be subject to a 13% VAT rate – a tax from which the goods have been exempt since China introduced nationwide VAT in 1993.

The measure was buried in a VAT law passed in 2024 in an effort to modernise China’s tax regime. VAT accounts for nearly 40% of China’s total tax revenue.

    • ExLisperAEnglish
      1·
      5 days ago

      There continue to be atomic bombs. Do people have natural drive to build them?

      • jacksilver@lemmy.worldEnglish
        7·
        5 days ago

        I’m not even sure that comment really rises to the level of a counter arguement.

        People have been around a lot longer than atomic bombs.