Taiwan is planning to impose an online sales tax. That’s the word from the finance ministry on Friday.
Online shoppers currently do not pay sales tax if they purchase products from online retailers that are not registered in Taiwan. The finance ministry said that many countries such as the UK and Singapore have started to ask foreign online retailers to register their businesses with local governments so their transactions can be taxed.
The ministry said that Taiwan’s online sales tax policy is still in its planning stages. But the initial idea is to levy transactions that exceed NT$3,000 (US$100). The ministry said that the new tax is not targeted at foreign businesses. According to the ministry, the new tax is aimed at providing a level playing field for all online retailers.