Easing of tax burden promises sense of gain

The planned hike in the individual income tax threshold proposed in a draft amendment to the Personal Income Tax Law is a welcome move to raise people's incomes and enhance their sense of gain.

Seven years have passed since the tax threshold was last raised in 2011 - from 2,000 yuan ($309) to 3,500 yuan - during which the per capita disposable income has increased by more than 7 percent each year, to reach nearly 26,000 yuan in 2017. Raising the threshold is thus a move that reflects that change.

The draft amendment that was submitted to the country's top legislature for discussion on Tuesday is also a direct response to Premier Li Keqiang's call for personal income tax reform to narrow income disparity and promote social fairness.