Chinese Annual Returns Explained

The Chinese annual return reports financial details, business performance, investment information, and shareholder information to the State Administration of Taxation (SAT).
Many components need to be validated to ensure that the company with which you are contemplating doing business is legitimate. A valid Chinese annual return provides you with important pieces of that inquiry.
At Nuna Network, we continue to provide small and medium-sized businesses doing business in China with valuable guides, tips, and other practical information to help you navigate the sometimes complex landscape with Chinese businesses. In this piece, we explore the details of the Chinese annual return, a valuable document that reveals detailed information about a Chinese company. It is a required filing for all companies registered in Mainland China, and must be submitted by a registered Chinese tax accountant professional who was responsible for reviewing and auditing the company’s financial information.
Accessing a Chinese annual return
Consistent with the United Sates, the Mainland Chinese fiscal year runs from January 1st to December 31st. Chinese companies have until June 30th following the close of the previous year to file their tax submissions. Failure to submit the return by this date results in an “abnormal business operations” designation which remains in effect until the company resolves the discrepancies.
You can obtain a Chinese annual return and its registration records from China’s National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System, administered through the Administration for Industry and Commerce (AIC). Note that each company remains responsible for the validity and legality of the information it provides on its Chinese annual return, and not the AIC system.
Information included on a Chinese annual return
Basic Information
- China business license certificate (the 18-digit Chinese business registration number which is also known as the Unified Social Credit Code)
- Company name
- Address
- Postcode
- Email address
- Phone number
- Core business activities
- Number of employees, including number of female employees
- Registration status
- Investment status
- Guarantees status
- Controlling interest type
- Changes to shareholders
Websites
- Name
- URL
- Type (informational website or e-commerce)
Financial Status
It’s important to note that while all companies in Mainland China are required to submit their financial details to the government in a Chinese annual return, they are not required to make that information public. Some studies suggest that the vast majority – more than 99% — choose not to disclose this information. If a company does choose to make its information public, it would include the following information:
- Total assets
- Total operating income
- Income from main operations
- Total tax paid
- Total owners’ equity
- Total profit
- Net profit
- Total liabilities
Investments
If the company holds investments in another company it also must provide that information, including:
- Company name in which the investment is held
- Company registration number
Shareholders
Chinese annual returns must provide details about each shareholder, including:
- Number
- Shareholder name
- Subscribed capital amount
- Subscription date
- Subscription form
- Paid-up capital amount
- Payment date
- Payment form
Shareholder changes
Companies must provide any changes to their shareholder structure, and include the following information:
- Number
- Shareholder name
- Previous and current shareholder holding
- Shareholding change date
External guarantees
This part of the Chinese annual return provides details of commitments received from or made to other business entities, including:
- Number
- Creditor name, including type and amount of debt own
- Debtor name
- Debt repayment deadline
- Guarantee period and form
Social security
Companies also must disclose details of its social security commitments, including the number of employees for which it has paid benefits along with the amounts. Often companies do not disclose this information to the public.
Amendment records
Companies also must include details on any changes to the Chinese annual return, including:
- Number
- Amended item, including the original and edited amendment
- Date amended
Verification
With all official Chinese business documents, it’s important to verify their legitimacy – a process that is complex and challenging.
We can help.
Nuna Network helps you determine the authenticity of documents and much more, transforming the due diligence process and making it easier to establish relationships with Chinese companies.