'Average wage should be the limit'

People on the streets of Beijing expressed a range of opinions about the rise in the minimum personal income tax threshold yesterday.

Zhang Xinfeng , 24, a shop fitter from Henan , said: 'It doesn't affect me because I don't make enough money to meet the 1,200 yuan or 1,600 yuan [thresholds]. I only earn about 1,000 yuan a month. I've never paid tax.'

A 66-year-old retired art researcher who would only give his name as Mr Liu said: 'The personal income threshold should be raised because people's living standards and income have improved. Should we raise the threshold more? I think as long as there is an improvement, it'll be good. I don't want to see the government without enough tax revenue.'

Chen Huaqiang , 42, an office worker, said: 'I think the threshold is not important. Everybody should pay personal income tax, but the tax rate should vary greatly. For those earning over 10,000 yuan [a month], the rate should be higher.'

Sales manager Liu Zhiqiang , 39, said: 'The threshold should be raised higher. The average monthly salary in Beijing is about 2,300 yuan, so the threshold should be close to that figure.' Office worker Jessie Zhang, 25, echoed this sentiment.