“月饼税”让月饼变了味 Mooncake tax leaves bitter taste

据《上海日报》报道，中秋节临近，有关“月饼税”的征收再次引发大众热议。
The approach of the Mid-Autumn Festival has reignited debate about China's "mooncake tax," Shanghai Daily reported.

近来，北京、上海、南京各税务部门提示，各公司中秋节所发放的月饼在缴税范围内，需将月饼的市场价值加入到员工的工资内，然后按工资标准个税进行扣除。
Tax authorities in Shanghai, Beijing and Nanjing recently sent memos to employers that the mooncake – a traditional food for the festival – they offer their employees should be considered part of their monthly allowances, and the mooncake's prices should be included in the calculation of tax to be ducted from the employees' salaries.

然而，大部分纳税人，尤其是中低收入者，认为此规定很是荒谬，网上也尽是批评之声。
However, most taxpayers, especially the middle and low income workers, considers the rule outrageous, and there has been a wave of criticism on the Internet.

正在进行的微博用户调查显示，超过96%的参与者认为不应征收月饼税。
Over 96 percent of the participants of an ongoing poll on weibo.com said the tax body should impose no tax on mooncakes.

北京市民俗协会王揖表示，月饼不同于其它福利，公司中秋佳节期间给员工发放月饼是为了表示感谢和鼓励；对赠送月饼这项传统收税，还是有些牵强。
"Mooncakes are different from other allowances, because they are a symbol of gratitude and encouragement to employees in the Chinese traditional culture, which should not be taxable," said Wang Yi from the Beijing Folk Custom Association.

(China.org.cn September 1, 2011)