How to Declare VAT for Foreign Contractors in Vietnam

Foreign Contractors are subject to tax for their income in Vietnam. On February 11, 2015, the Ministry of Finance signed the Decision No. 274/QD-BTC on publishing amendments and supplements of administrative procedures in the tax management under the Ministry of Finance’s authority.

Under this Decision, procedures of declaring tax for foreign contractors, foreign sub-contractors paying value added tax according to the direct method on value added tax, paying enterprise tax based on percentage of revenue for business operations and other incomes shall be amended and replaced. Specifically, foreign contractor, foreign sub-contractor shall prepare one dossier including tax declaration (according to the Form), copies of the Contract for Contractor/Sub-Contractor certified by the tax payer (for the first tax declaration of Contract for Contractor); Copy of Business License or Profession license certified by the tax payer and send to the Department of Taxation. Of which, tax declaration shall be made in each arising tax duty. Deadline for submitting the tax declaration document is no later than the tenth day since the day of arising tax duty. In the event that Vietnamese party pays for foreign contract many times in the month, it can be declared by month instead of making declarations for each time. Deadline for submitting the tax declaration document is no later than the twentieth day of the next month since the month of arising tax duty. This Decision takes effect on October 01, 2014.