Don’t run into the same tax evasion trouble as Fan Bingbing when working in mainland China, Hong Kong actors warned
Film star’s US$129 million downfall could still have wide-ranging repercussions, including on how local talents sign up for work north of the border
Hong Kong stars flocking to mainland China for showbiz roles have been warned to ensure they do not flout tax rules there, after the country’s highest-paid actress Fan Bingbing was ordered to cough up nearly 884 million yuan (US$129 million) in fines and back taxes.
Sources with knowledge of the case told the Post the actress was released from “residential surveillance at a designated location” – a form of secret detention – about two weeks ago and returned to Beijing as the tax authorities completed their investigations.
Veteran film producer Tenky Tin Kai-man said Hong Kong actors often left income tax issues to the mainland production companies that hired them. They would sign contracts that only stated their after-tax income, with the companies paying authorities on their behalf.
Our federation has been suggesting Hong Kong artists ask for certificates of tax clearance
“It’s been a common practice because it frees the artists from reporting income to the mainland tax authorities,” said Tin, chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers’ executive committee.