Core Service

Corporate income tax in Vietnam for foreign companies

CIT calculation, provisional payments, annual finalisation, incentives, and audit defence. The full CIT lifecycle, managed by a registered tax agent.

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Overview

Corporate income tax (CIT) is the most material tax for a foreign-owned company. Our CIT service covers the full lifecycle: provisional quarterly payments, annual finalisation, incentives, transfer pricing, and audit defence. We help you plan the CIT year, file on time, claim the incentives you are entitled to, and respond to the GDT when it asks questions.

Who needs this service

  • FDI companies preparing the annual CIT finalisation
  • Companies planning an investment in an encouraged sector or zone
  • Companies under a GDT audit or inspection
  • Joint ventures with complex inter-company flows

Legal requirements

Quarterly provisional CIT

Quarterly provisional CIT is due by the 30th day of the month following the quarter end. Under- or over-payment is reconciled at finalisation.

Annual CIT finalisation

The annual CIT finalisation return is due within 90 days of fiscal year-end. Late filing attracts penalties and interest.

Incentive registration

CIT incentives must be registered with the GDT at the time of the investment and reflected in the annual return.

Pricing

Indicative fees

ItemFee
Annual CIT finalisationfrom USD 1,500
CIT incentive studyfrom USD 3,000
CIT audit defencefrom USD 6,000 per audit

Fees are indicative and depend on transaction volume, complexity, and reporting requirements. Request a tailored proposal.

Timeline

Typical engagement timeline

Phase 1 · Q1

Tax planning

Annual tax plan, identification of incentives, structuring of inter-company flows.

Phase 2 · Quarterly

Provisional CIT

Provisional CIT calculation and filing within the statutory window.

Phase 3 · Q1 of following year

Finalisation

Annual CIT finalisation, working paper preparation, submission to the GDT.

Watch out

Common mistakes we help you avoid

  • 01Not registering incentives at IRC application, forfeiting the benefit
  • 02Treating inter-company charges as deductible without the benefit test
  • 03Failing to file the finalisation return on time (and triggering penalties)
  • 04Not amending prior-year returns when the GDT identifies a correction
Why us

What you get

Incentive identification

We help you claim the incentives you are entitled to, with the registration and the supporting documentation.

Audit-ready documentation

Working papers, reconciliations, and supporting documents are maintained throughout the year.

Audit defence

If the GDT audits, we represent you. Our team includes former MoF auditors with experience in CIT procedure.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How is CIT calculated in Vietnam?
CIT is calculated as 20% of taxable profit. Taxable profit is accounting profit adjusted for non-deductible expenses, non-taxable income, and incentives. The annual finalisation return reconciles the quarterly provisional CIT to the actual annual liability.
When are quarterly CIT payments due?
Quarterly CIT is due by the 30th day of the month following the quarter end. Q1 by 30 April, Q2 by 31 July, Q3 by 31 October, and Q4 by 31 January of the following year. The annual finalisation reconciles the cumulative Q1–Q4 to the actual liability.
What CIT incentives are common for FDI?
Common incentives: 10% rate for high-tech and certain software projects; 15% for encouraged zones and encouraged industries; tax holidays of 2–6 years for new projects. Eligibility must be confirmed at IRC application and registered with the GDT.
How are inter-company charges treated for CIT?
Inter-company charges are deductible to the Vietnamese entity if arm's length, supported by a service agreement, and a benefit test. The GDT requires contemporaneous documentation; non-arm's-length charges are added back to taxable profit.
Get Started

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Free 30-minute consultation. We'll review your situation and outline a fixed-fee engagement.

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