Mainland China: Lease Contract Scheme Behind Improper Tax Preference Claims

On 12 October 2026, an investigative feature exposed the mechanics of the Zhejiang Zhongshui Biaotixin scheme, where the firm created a library of template lease contracts with inflated rents, backdated signatures, and matching bank transfer records (later reversed). The firm coached client finance staff on “audit interview scripts” to maintain consistency. The SAT’s big data platform detected statistical anomalies in rent-to-revenue ratios across the client cluster.

Key Takeaways

  • Cluster Detection Methodology: The case illustrates the SAT’s new industry-cluster analysis that compares key financial ratios across taxpayers sharing the same intermediary, flagging outliers for targeted audit.
  • Reversed Transaction Tracing: Forensic accounting traced the circular fund flows (rent paid -> returned as “consulting fees”) through the PBOC’s large-value payment system and the NetUnion clearing platform, even when individual transfers were below reporting thresholds.

Disclaimer: This article is compiled and summarized by the AI based on publicly available information and is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute any form of formal tax advice, legal opinion, or basis for performance. Please consult a qualified professional tax advisor or legal counsel for tax advice.

Source: Read Official Announcement