Viya fined $210m for tax evasion

Local taxation authorities in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province are levying a fine of 1.34 billion yuan ($210 million) on top Chinese livestreaming host Huang Wei for tax evasion, the latest step toward regulating the livestreaming e-commerce industry.

Huang, better known by her online name Viya, has been fined for concealing income and declaring personal wages as income for proprietorships, according to a statement released on Monday by the Hangzhou Taxation Bureau.

The fine for Huang, who typically gathers 10 million spectators in one livestreaming show, was imposed for converting 643 million yuan in personal wages and labor remuneration into income for multiple sole proprietorships, as well as other underpaid tax worth 60 million yuan, according to the statement.

The total fine included repayment of the evaded tax, as well as overdue charges and penalties.

hewei@chinadaily.com.cn