Germany vs Chinese Mainland
Corporate Tax Comparison
Time of Update: Germany: 4/02/2026 / Chinese Mainland: 4/04/2026
Compare Germany and Chinese Mainland corporate tax rates, filing due dates, withholding tax, VAT, capital gains tax, and effective tax metrics for cross-border company planning.
Germany vs Chinese Mainland Corporate Tax Comparison
Basic Corporate Tax Comparison
Corporate Income Tax (CIT)
Germany
Chinese Mainland
General CIT Rate:
Corporate income tax is 15%, plus a 5.5% solidarity surcharge on the corporate income tax, resulting in a combined rate of 15.825%. Trade tax applies separately and generally ranges from 8.75% to 20.3% depending on the municipality. According to legislative changes adopted in 2025, the corporation tax rate is planned to decrease to 14% in 2028, 13% in 2029, 12% in 2030, 11% in 2031, and 10% from 2032 onward, with the solidarity surcharge continuing to apply.
General CIT Rate:
25%
CIT Return Due Date:
July 31st (or extended to the end of February of the following year if the taxpayer instructs a professional tax advisor).
CIT Return Due Date:
For annual CIT declaration, it should be submitted within five months after the end of the tax year. For monthly or quarterly temporary CIT declaration, it should be submitted within 15 days after the end of each month/quarter.
CIT Payment Due Date:
As stated in the assessment notice.
CIT Payment Due Date:
Within five months after the end of the tax year.
CIT Estimated Payment Due Date:
Quarterly installment payments are due on the 10th day of March, June, September, and December.
CIT Estimated Payment Due Date:
Quarterly or monthly installment payments should be made within 15 days after the end of each month/quarter.
Withholding Tax (WHT)
Germany
Chinese Mainland
Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
25/25/0
Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
N/A
None-Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
25/0/15
None-Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
10/10/10
Value-Added Tax (VAT)
Capital Gain Tax (CGT)
Germany
Chinese Mainland
General Capital Gain Tax Rate:
Capital gains are subject to the normal corporate tax rate.
General Capital Gain Tax Rate:
Capital gains are subject to the normal corporate income tax rate.
Effective Tax Rate (ETR)
Germany
Chinese Mainland
Composite Effective Average Tax Rate:
26.59
Composite Effective Average Tax Rate:
23.00
Composite Effective Marginal Tax Rate:
11.00
Composite Effective Marginal Tax Rate:
15.59
