Step-By-Step Guide To Getting Your Individual Income Tax Return

But, to make it even easier, here we've put together a step-by-step guide to help you through the process! Step One Firstly, if you don't already have the tax app, you'll need to download it by searching for 个人所得税 in your phone's app store. Step Two Next, you'll need to register for an account to use the app. If you've filed for an individual tax refund before, then you should already be registered on the app and can skip this step. For those who haven't, in order to register, you'll need to visit your local tax office and obtain a registration code. For guidance on visiting the tax office, you can check out this article. Step Three Open the app and click on the blue button in the 2025 Individual Income Tax submission section at the top of the page 进入专题页 (go to the dedicated page). Step Four This will redirect you to a page where you'll be asked to log in. Just click the orange button 立即登录 (immediately log in). Step Five Type in your account username, which will either be your phone or passport number and your password. Then slide the validation bar below and click 登录 (log in). Step Six Next, you'll be taken to a page where you can start your application, but first, you'll want to file for any special deductions you might have. To do so, scroll down until you find the section titled 专项附加扣除信息 (special additional deductions). Step Seven There are seven items you can choose: children's education, ongoing education, medical care, housing loan interest, housing rent, elderly care and nursing children under three years old. Which of these deductions you're eligible for will depend on your own personal situation, however the most common deduction is rent, so we've detailed the process for that below. If you think you are eligible for other deductions besides rent, we recommend contacting your work HR for further guidance. Rental Deduction Click on 住房租金 (housing rental fee) and then select the year 2025. You'll then see a pop-up reminding you to have documents such as your housing contract prepared, just click the big blue button 准备完毕进入埴报 (preparation complete, entering the registration process). Next, you'll be taken to a page where at the top you'll need to input your personal information, including phone number, email address and your accommodation address. Below this is a section asking for information on your spouse. If you don't have a spouse, simply select 无配偶, if you do have a spouse, select 有配偶 and you'll then need to fill in your spouse's information. Now you can click the blue button at the bottom 下一步 (next step). You'll then be taken to a page where you need to fill out information on your rental contract, such as address, contract start and end date etc. You can see a side-by-side translation of this below. At the bottom, you can then click on 证明材料 (supporting documentation) to upload a copy of your rental contract as a supporting document. Now, click on the blue button at the bottom, 下一步 (next step) and submit your rental deduction. Step Eight Once you have submitted your deductions, click on the orange button 开始申报, you'll then be asked to confirm you reside in China, click 是. Step Nine Next, you'll be asked to agree to a standard declaration notice, just click the blue button 我已阅读并知晓 (I have read and understood this), then you'll be taken to a page with your basic information, like your name and workplace, click the blue button 下一步 (next step). Step Ten You'll then be taken to a summary page with your salary and tax records for the past year. If everything looks correct and you want to submit your application, click 下一步 (next step) and then 继续 (continue). Step Eleven Now, you'll be taken to a page that will show you how much tax you're eligible to be refunded, which will appear in orange text at the bottom. If everything looks correct, click 下一步 (next step) and then click 确认 (confirm) on the pop-up to submit your refund. Step Twelve If your declaration is successful, you'll be taken to a page where you can claim your refund. Just click the blue button 申请退税 (apply for tax refund). Step Thirteen Select the back card you wish the money to be refunded to, or add a new bank card if one isn't already added, or if you have a new card, then click 确定 (confirm). And that's it! It'll normally take a few days for the refund to be processed. You can check the status of your application by clicking the blue button 查看进度 (check the progress) on the tax app homepage. READ: How To Get Your Tax Records for International Money Transfers Images: FreePik, the Beijingers Provided:Paid: