China Recovers Billions in Taxes from Celebrities, Gas Stations

A total of 1,818 individuals from high-income and high-risk groups, including celebrities and online influencers, were investigated by China's tax authorities in the first 11 months of this year, resulting in the recovery of 1.523 billion yuan (US$216 million) in back taxes, according to data released today.

During the same period, tax officials also scrutinized 3,904 high-risk gas stations suspected of irregularities, collecting an additional 4.163 billion yuan in unpaid taxes. Authorities said the actions are part of a nationwide drive to tighten tax compliance in sectors where loopholes have long been exploited.

In addition to crackdowns, tax departments highlighted efforts to encourage voluntary compliance. Since January, 1,168 entities previously listed as serious tax violators have taken corrective measures and were removed early from the national "blacklist," a 40 percent increase year on year.

Meanwhile, more than 1,300 whistleblower reports were found to be unsubstantiated, and tax authorities issued formal notices confirming no violations in those cases.

One of the most recent high-profile cases involved Internet automotive commentator Chen Zhen, who was found to have evaded 1.1867 million yuan in individual income tax between 2021 and 2023 by concealing earnings, misclassifying income, and filing false declarations.

In November 2025, local tax officials ordered the recovery of unpaid taxes and late fees and imposed additional fines, bringing the total penalty to 2.4748 million yuan, all of which has since been paid.