Amusement Tax Income in Northern, Central, Southern Taiwan|娛樂稅屬地方稅各縣市收入大不同

發布時間：2018/11/13 17:53 更新時間：2018/11/13 18:37

Jake Chen

Popular claw machines have become the biggest revenue source for amusement tax in Taichung City. In northern Taiwan, karaoke parlors have generated the most revenue, while in the South, the electronic games industry is proved to be the most profitable.

The movie has ended, a large audience walks out of the theatre while another group of audience is waiting for their turn to enter. This is one of the long-running second-run theatre in Taichung City. It sells tickets at discounted prices and attracts many moviegoer on weekends and holidays.
The ticket prices here are fair. The new releases will be played at (theatres with) better environments, but those tickets cost more.

The popularity of the movie theatres reflects the consumers' behavioral pattern. According to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Finance, in terms of amusement tax revenue, karaoke parlors and live performances have generated the most in northern Taiwan, golf is the most profitable in Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli, in southern Taiwan, electronic games tops of the list in terms of revenue.

Northern Taiwan has the most live performance venues, which allows for a higher number of exhibitions, live performances, and commercial performances. Those who live in urban areas also like to spend time at karaoke parlors, and the large number of mini-karaoke parlors around the city has become the biggest source of revenue. On the other hand, in Taichung City, when looking at amusement tax revenue, the claw machines rank at the top of the list, karaoke parlors and golf place second and third. These three combined to generate roughly 70 percent of the city's amusement tax, with claw machines generating 24 percent by itself.

Lower cost entertainment is becoming more and more popular thanks to the limited amount of spending required. The cost of playing (the claw machines) is relatively lower.

The claw machines have rapidly gained popularity and offers a new business model in which no service staff is required. The National Taxation Bureau said that the trend has to do with the overall economy, it also reflects the subtle changes in economy inside the business district as more and more people seek a small amount of happiness with minor spending.