The tax filing season begins on May 1. In response to the COVID-19 epidemic situation, the Ministry of Finance has decided to extend the tax filing deadline by one month and will also provide tax refunds earlier. Meanwhile, people who wish to file taxes in person at taxation bureaus will be required to wear masks.
The tax season is right around the corner. This year, the Ministry of Finance has taken several measures in response to the COVID-19 epidemic. It has extended the individual income tax filing deadline by one month to June 30. It is also encouraging people to file their income taxes online at home. If people wish to file taxes in person at taxation bureaus, they will have to conform to disease prevention regulations or be denied entry.
The announcement will be made tomorrow at the earliest, and we will use flexible persuasion to persuade people who are not wearing masks to wear them, and then offer services to them.
There are also several new tax policies. The basic living expense amount has been raised from NT$171,000 to NT$175,000. For single taxpayers, those whose annual income is under NT$408,000 will not have to pay taxes after relevant tax allowances and deductions. Joint filers will not have to pay taxes for an income of under NT$816,000. For a family of four, additional deductions this year amount to NT$16,000. In response to the aging society and long-term care requirements, the ministry has also added a "long-term care deduction" of NT$120,000 annually per person. An estimated 290,000 households are expected to benefit from the included "wealth exclusion clause." Special deductions for salary income include a new "verification deduction," including necessity preparation expenses, advanced training expenses, and professional tool expenses. Each can be deducted up to three percent of salary income. Meanwhile, same-sex partners who married in 2019 will be able to file jointly.
Same-sex partners who registered their marriages in 2020 cannot file jointly. We remind people that they must file jointly starting in the second year after their marriage.
The ministry has also relaxed restrictions for the first time to allow people who are unable to pay their taxes due to the epidemic to apply to extend the payment deadline or pay in installments. Those who select the first option can defer the payment for up to one year. Those who select the second option can pay taxes in 36 monthly installments over a three-year period.