{"id":18359,"date":"2026-09-18T16:56:42","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T08:56:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qicaiying.cn\/?p=18359"},"modified":"2026-09-18T16:56:43","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T08:56:43","slug":"%e6%8a%96%e9%9f%b3%e5%b0%8f%e5%ba%972026%e5%b9%b4%e8%a6%81%e4%b8%8d%e8%a6%81%e4%ba%a4%e7%a8%8e%ef%bc%9f%e6%9c%89%e8%90%a5%e4%b8%9a%e6%89%a7%e7%85%a7%e5%92%8c%e6%b2%a1%e8%90%a5%e4%b8%9a%e6%89%a7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qicaiying.cn\/en\/archives\/18359","title":{"rendered":"Will Douyin Stores Have to Pay Taxes in 2026? There\u2019s a Big Difference Between Having a Business License and Not Having One"},"content":{"rendered":"
The question I\u2019ve been asked most often lately: Do Douyin shops actually have to pay taxes?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The answer is\u2014Yes. Regardless of whether you have a business license, as long as you generate business income, you have a tax obligation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, behind the phrase \u201dyou have to pay taxes,\u201d there\u2019s a huge difference between having a business license and not having one\u2014so huge that one can operate normally, while the other may be classified as tax evasion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Major Trends for 2026: Platform Data Reporting + Full Coverage of the Fourth Phase of the Golden Tax System\u2014Douyin Shops Are No Longer in a \u201dBlind Spot.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
What changes will there be to the tax policy for Douyin Stores in 2026?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Many people still cling to the notion that \u201dit\u2019s just a small shop\u2014no one\u2019s watching.\u201d The reality is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Random Inspections of Large-Value Transactions<\/td>
Automatic System Tagging<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Simply put: The days when \u201dif you didn\u2019t issue an invoice, no one would know\u201d are coming to an end. Starting in 2026, Douyin\u2019s platform data will be integrated with the tax system\u2014the system will automatically cross-check how much you\u2019ve sold, which card you\u2019ve withdrawn funds to, and whether you\u2019ve filed a tax return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How big is the difference between a Douyin Store with a business license and one without?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This is the most critical issue. Even when opening a TikTok store, having a business license versus not having one results in completely different tax treatment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
dimension (math.)<\/th>
Has a business license<\/th>
No business license<\/th><\/tr>
Nature of Business<\/td>
Lawful Business Operations<\/td>
Operating without a license<\/td><\/tr>
Tax Payment Methods<\/td>
File Tax Returns and Pay Taxes as Required<\/td>
Income is determined based on individual earnings<\/td><\/tr>
cost deduction<\/td>
Deductible Input Tax<\/td>
Not deductible<\/td><\/tr>
Invoicing<\/td>
Invoices can be issued as usual<\/td>
Unable to issue an invoice<\/td><\/tr>
Platform Integration<\/td>
Corporate withdrawals are proceeding normally<\/td>
Cash withdrawals from personal cards only<\/td><\/tr>
tax risk<\/td>
Compliant and Controllable<\/td>
Unlicensed Business Operations Combined with Tax Evasion<\/td><\/tr>
Legal Liability<\/td>
Limited Liability (Company)<\/td>
Unlimited liability<\/td><\/tr>
Consequences of Being Investigated and Penalized<\/td>
Back Taxes + Late Payment Penalties<\/td>
Back taxes + fines + revocation + possible referral<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The biggest difference isn't \u201dhow much tax you pay,\u201d but rather \u201dthe completely different classification if you're caught.\u201d<\/strong>If you have a license, it\u2019s called \u201dunderpayment and back payment\u201d; if you don\u2019t have a license, it\u2019s called \u201doperating without a license + tax evasion\u201d\u2014the latter may result in administrative penalties or even criminal liability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Douyin Store: Licensed vs. Unlicensed\u2014How Much Is the Annual Tax Difference? Let\u2019s Do the Math<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Take a Douyin Store with an annual turnover of 3 million and a purchase rate of 60% (1.8 million in procurement costs) as an example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3 Million in Revenue: Tax Burden Comparison Between Licensed and Unlicensed Businesses<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Has a business license (small-scale company)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Revenue of 3 million<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Less: Cost of Goods Purchased (with receipts) - 1.8 million<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Corporate Income Tax (Preferential Treatment for Small and Micro Enterprises) ~75,000<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Total annual tax liability for licensed businesses: ~105,000<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No Business License (Classified as a Sole Proprietorship)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Revenue of 3 million<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Non-deductible costs (transactions without invoices) 0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Profit of 3 million determined based on total revenue<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Individual Income Tax (Business Income) ~900,000+<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Late payment penalties (based on 2 years) ~ 200,000<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fines (0.5\u20135 times) are uncertain<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Total annual tax liability and fines for operating without a license: 1.1 million+<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the same 3 million in turnover: a licensed business pays 105,000, while an unlicensed one might pay over 1.1 million. That\u2019s a 10-fold difference.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reason is simple: operating without a license means expenses cannot be deducted, which leads to inflated profits and taxes being paid based on those inflated figures. Add to that the fines for operating without a license, and the costs quickly spiral out of control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to Choose Between a Sole Proprietorship and a Corporation When Applying for a Business License for a TikTok Store?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A<\/strong> Sole Proprietorship: Suitable for businesses with monthly revenue under 100,000<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Registration is simple, low-cost, and easy to maintain<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Value-Added Tax: Exempt for monthly amounts under 100,000 (small-scale taxpayers)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Individual income tax is levied on business income using a progressive tax rate ranging from 5% to 35%.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Unlimited liability, suitable for small-scale pilot phases<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
B<\/strong> Limited Liability Company: Suitable for businesses with monthly revenue of 100,000 or more<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Limited Liability, Protection of Personal Assets<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Value-Added Tax: Small-scale taxpayers\u20143% (reduced to 1% in 2026)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Corporate Income Tax: Tax breaks for small and micro enterprises with annual revenue of up to 3 million, approximately 5%<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Input tax is deductible, invoices can be issued as usual, and funds can be withdrawn via corporate accounts<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Maintenance costs are slightly higher (bookkeeping and tax filing), but the overall tax burden is typically lower.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Key criterion: If monthly revenue exceeds 100,000, we recommend registering the business directly. Don\u2019t wait until revenue grows significantly to do so later\u2014the costs of switching and the risks of retroactive tax audits will be much higher.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to Get Your TikTok Store Licensed in Just 3 Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1<\/strong> Obtain a Business License<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Bring your ID card and proof of business premises to the Market Regulation Bureau.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Business scope includes \u201donline sales\u201d or \u201de-commerce\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Certificates are issued the same day for sole proprietorships; for companies, it takes 3\u20135 business days.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
2<\/strong> Tax Registration + Bank Account Opening<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Complete tax registration within 30 days of receiving the business license.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Open a business account (for a company) or an operator account (for a sole proprietor)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Request an Invoice Limit (As Needed)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
3<\/strong> Switch Payment Platforms + Set Up Accounting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Douyin Store Withdrawal Account Linking Now Requires a Business or Operator Account<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Start keeping monthly books and filing monthly tax returns<\/li>\n\n\n\n
The purchasing department requires an invoice to be issued to establish a chain of cost documentation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The 3 Most Dangerous Forms of Complacency<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
False Assumption #1: \u201dThe platform isn\u2019t going to report it on its own anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Submitting platform data for 2026 is a legal requirement. As a leading platform, Douyin has already established a comprehensive data reporting system. Whether it\u2019s how much you\u2019ve sold or how much cash you\u2019ve withdrawn, that data is already with the tax authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Misconception No. 2: \u201dThe fines for operating without a license aren\u2019t that high.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Operating without a license is punishable by confiscation of illegal gains plus a fine. When combined with back taxes, late payment penalties, and fines for tax evasion, the total amount can be several times higher than the amount that would have been owed under normal circumstances. The nature of the offenses is different, and the severity of the consequences is entirely different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lucky Break No. 3: \u201dWait until business picks up before getting a license\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The longer you wait to register your business, the longer you\u2019ll have been operating without a license, and the higher the amount of back taxes you\u2019ll owe. Registering early is called \u201cproactive compliance,\u201d while registering only after receiving a notice is called \u201creactive payment\u201d\u2014these are two very different classifications, and the consequences are worlds apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/figure>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/qcyboss.oss-cn-shenzhen.aliyuncs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/20260918163425656.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"