Policy-makers recognize value of public sentiment
(China Daily)
Updated: 2005-02-03 08:44

Beijing's tax administration bureau announced on Tuesday that from next month, consumers could redeem their prize-winning receipts at points of service.

That is a good news, I believe, for some "lazy bones" like me who cannot see the point of going across town to some unknown tax office for generally a small amount of money.

Winning a prize, whatever it is, is always a pleasant experience.

However, the reason I still remember an interesting dinner I had with friends early last year was not because we were lucky enough to win 20 yuan (US$2.40) from scratching a winning invoice after paying for our food. It was because of the way we disposed of the receipt after the restaurant refused to cash it.

Hearing our complaining, a nearby peddler offered to take it off our hands.

We agreed and exchanged it for two delicious watermelons - a perfect deal.

We were saved time and trouble, and the peddler was in for a small bonus later when paying his business tax.

I do not know if that is strictly legal but if not, I would not hesitate in blaming it on those who devised the receipt system.

The introduction of scratch-and-win receipts by many local tax administrations in recent years, in itself, was a brilliant idea.

By encouraging patrons to ask for receipts, it becomes harder for sales outlets to evade business tax. Therefore, a lottery receipt not only gives consumers a chance to win, but also helps them play a role of tax supervisor.

It also considerably enhanced consumers' awareness of tax.

Such a scheme was very effective in boosting tax revenues. As more diners wanted to try their luck on the receipts, the local tax revenues received a lift.

But that is where the system fell down, inconvenience when wanting to redeem the prize-winning receipts.

Fruit-sellers are not on every street corner and most individuals do not personally go to their local tax office to pay taxes.

The problem with the final step started discouraging people from asking for receipts.

Now, Beijing's tax officials has taken on this inconvenience, offering a 3 per cent kick-back for businesses to cash in prize-winning invoices for consumers on-site.

The kick-back will certainly add to the tax collectors' costs, but it is worthwhile.

As it becomes easier to cash in winning receipts, consumers will play a more aggressive role in scrutinizing the businesses' tax payments.

What a pity it would be if such an innovative system failed simply because of a minor glitch, which was definitely starting to happen.

Gladly, Beijing's tax officials have put themselves in the shoes of consumers to rework the system.

Although it is a small-scale simple concept, the latest move by Beijing's tax officials exemplifies the importance of listening to the public when trying to judge if something is working or not.

Close

Casts promote 'Seoul Raiders' in Beijing Li Bingbing 'Beyond' puts on farewell concerts

Today's Top News     Top Life News
New stock hopes spark strong rebound         Chen invites ARATS chief to visit Taiwan         All 30 law-breaking projects building stopped         Project protects river ecosystems         Spring Festival spawns business boom         Beijing starting meningitis vaccination	Will Lang Ping coach America to play China?       210,000 ideas for Beijing Olympic slogan       Boyfriend arrested for body-carving freak       'Memoirs of a Geisha' finishes filming       Dialects making way for putonghua       Picasso in profusion