Doing foreign trade in Changzhou, want to find an export tax refund agency, asking about the general charging percentage for agents in Changzhou and whether the charging standard is fixed or influenced by certain factors. The best answer states that the charging percentage is generally between 0.8%-3%, influenced by factors such as the scale of export business, product category, and service content. It is recommended to compare multiple options and choose a cost-effective agency.
Where Exactly Will Agency Export Tax Refunds Go? Find Out Now!
Resolved
Our company engaged an agency to handle export business, and it now involves export tax refunds. I'd like to ask, where do agency export tax refunds generally go? Are they refunded to us, the principal, or to the agent? Will the flow of tax refunds be affected by certain factors? I hope to receive a professional answer, thank you!
Trade Expert Insights Answers
The flow of agency export tax refunds depends on the model of the agency export business. For conventional agency exports, the tax refund generally goes to the principal, which is your company. This is because the principal is the actual bearer of the VAT on exported goods and should rightfully enjoy the tax refund entitlement.
However, if the agent and principal have signed a relevant agreement explicitly stipulating that the tax refund goes to the agent, and this agreement complies with laws and regulations, then the tax refund can also be deposited into the agent's account.
Additionally, if the agent exports in their own name and processes the tax refund, the tax refund will go to the agent. But in this scenario, the agent needs to bear corresponding tax refund risks. Overall, in most cases, if there is no special agreement, the tax refund goes to the principal.
Usually, if there's no special agreement, it's refunded to the principal company, as the goods belong to the principal and the tax is also borne by them.
If the agency agreement explicitly states that the refund goes to the agent, then it should be handled according to the agreement. Therefore, pay attention to this point when signing the agreement.
Some local tax authorities may require various supporting documents to determine who receives the refund, so just prepare them as required.
If the agent prepays the tax and both parties agree that the tax refund goes to the agent to cover the advanced payment, this is also a common practice.
It mainly depends on who is listed as the operating entity on the export customs declaration; generally, the refund goes to that operating entity.
In practical operations, it's crucial to communicate with the tax authorities in advance, as they will provide accurate guidance.
Sometimes it also depends on the invoice header; whoever obtains the purchase invoice may receive the refund.
Mutual agreement between both parties is crucial to determine the destination of the tax refund based on the actual business situation and avoid future disputes.