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Mercans offers complete payroll, PEO and HR services in Taiwan

The world’s 17th largest exporter of merchandise in 2019, Taiwan has been deepening its ties across the board with 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries as well as Australia and New Zealand. It is also a top player in terms of the world’s ICT industry and a major supplier of goods across the industrial spectrum.

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Doing Business in Taiwan

Taiwan’s “State of Cluster Development” is ranked third in the world according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2019. The government launched, a few years ago, three major investment programs designed to give Taiwanese businesses greater confidence to invest in Taiwan: the Welcome Back Action Plan (for welcoming overseas Taiwanese businesses to return), the “Action Plan for Accelerated Investment by Domestic Corporations” and finally, the “Action Plan for Accelerated Investment by SMEs”.

Entity Registration and Incorporation Requirements

Setting up a new business or expanding an existing one in Taiwan is straightforward. Choose how your company operates from a range of entity types which suit your individual circumstance.

Banking

Banking Hours: Monday to Friday from 9:00 am-3:30 pm

Working Week

The standard working week is from Monday to Friday from 9:00 am-6:00 pm

Labor Law

The most important legislation addressing employment issues is the Labor Standards Act (LSA) which regulates the terms and conditions of employment. With a few exceptions, it applies to all industries and occupations. These laws also apply to foreign nationals working in Taiwan.

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Main Industries

Electronics, petroleum refining, armaments, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing, vehicles, consumer products and pharmaceuticals

GDP Growth

0.27%

Dates & Numbers

yyyy/mm/dd

Official State Name

The Republic of China

Population

23.57 million

Capital

Taipei

Major Languages

Mandarin Chinese

Currency

New Taiwan Dollar NT$

Internet Domain

.tw

International Dialing Code

+886

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Taiwan
Taipei, TW
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Payroll

Companies who operate multi-country payroll should take note that, in Taiwan, it is common to reward employees with bonuses. These details are usually specified in the employer’s work rules.

It is acceptable to provide employees with online payslips

Payslip

Payroll reports must be kept for 5 years

Reports

10 days of annual leave for a service of 2+ years

Annual Leave

30 days of sick or medical leave with 50% of pay

Sick Leave

8 weeks of paid maternity leave and 5 days of paid paternity leave

Maternity & Paternity Leave

10 days notice for 3 months to 1 year of employment

Employee Termination

This is generally paid during the lunar new year

13th month salary

24,000 TWD per month

Minimum Wage

Up to 2 hours of overtime; 1.34 times the regular hourly wage

Overtime

1 month salary for each year of employment

Severance Pay

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Tax and Social Security

Income tax is levied on Taiwan-sourced income of both resident and non-resident individuals except where exempt. The compulsory social security programs include the LIP ( Labour Insurance Program), NHIP (National Health Insurance Program) and the LPP (Labour Pension Program).

Tax

In addition to regular income tax calculations, Taiwan also imposes IBT (Income basic tax) at a flat rate of 20% on individuals who are tax residents in Taiwan.

20%

Corporate Income Tax

40%

Personal Income Tax

5%

Sales Tax

5%

VAT

Social Security

Employers must make social security contributions including to the NHIP, LIP and LPP. Employers who have a legal presence in Taiwan must also contribute towards the insured’s employment service insurance premium.

15.7%

Social Security Rate

12.1%

Social Security Rate for Employers

3.6%

Social Security Rate for Employees

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Employment Law

The law distinguishes between different categories of worker such as employee and independent contractors. Statutory employment rights are enjoyed by employees (whether these are fixed-term workers or permanent workers) but not by independent contractors

Employment Agreement

Typically, employment contracts are regarded as permanent employment contracts unless they specify as being a fixed-term contract. Employment contracts that relate to temporary or short-term work (less than six months) or seasonal work (less than nine months) are usually considered as fixed-term contracts.

Working condition

Overall work hours must not exceed 12 hours per day. However, the LSA (Labour Standards Act) now provides that overtime can be calculated over a consecutive three month period by employers. In terms of overtime, employers must comply with the requirement to record employee work attendance.

Leaves

Paid holiday entitlement is based on length of service with the employer, which is calculated from the date employment is commenced. The period for calculation (whether based on service years, calendar years, fiscal years or any other kind of system) is to be agreed between employer and employee.

Employment termination

Any termination of an employment contract must be according to the circumstances that are specifically allowed (that is either termination with notice and severance pay or termination without notice or severance pay)

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10 days

Minimum notice period for terminating an employee

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20

Total number of Public Holidays

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40

Working hours per week

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8 days

Total number of days for Compassionate & Bereavement Leave

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Immigration

Foreign nationals who intend to live in Taiwan for longer than six months must apply for a Resident Visa. Foreign nationals who wish to reside in Taiwan for an extended period of time must also comply with Taiwanese immigration law.

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Residency permits

A Resident Visa is normally a single entry visa, valid for three months from date of issue. Visa holders must enter Taiwan before the expiration date indicated on the visa.

Work Permit validity

Three years

Required Documents

Passport that is valid for a minimum of six months after entry

Two passport-sized color photographs (with a white background) that were taken within the last six months

An approved work permit

A health certificate issued within the past three months

Additional documents regarding the employee’s profession

Identification documents for a spouse or children who accompany the employee

Compliant, reliable, error-free and touchless payroll in Taiwan

Build the best team and hire top talent compliantly in Taiwan. Get in touch with Taiwan payroll outsourcing & PEO specialists for a free consultation!

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This document was prepared for informational purposes only. As local laws & regulations keeps on changing. Please consult your tax & legal advisors as well.
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