The Complete Abolition of the Agricultural Tax

The agricultural tax was levied on an entity or individual engaged in and earning an income from agricultural production. With progress in reform and opening up and the rapid development of China's economy, agricultural tax revenues continued to decline as a percentage of total government revenues, accounting for 1 percent in 2003, down from 4 percent in 1999. The agricultural tax was officially abolished on January 1, 2006, representing a historic change and the final end to the 2,600-year-old system of taxation on farmers.

The abolition of the agricultural tax has contributed significantly to China's economic and social development.

First, as a most direct benefit, it has effectively eased the burden on farmers, enabling them to enjoy a bigger share of the fruits of reform and modernization, and feel rewarded by this process.

Second, it has led to a change in the local taxation structure, and put an end to unbalanced taxation practices, so as to better ensure equity and help improve the competitiveness of the agriculture sector.

Third, it has helped expand the coverage of government funding in rural areas, enabling government funding to cover the bulk of local expenses, including mandatory rural education outlays. It also encourages the industry sector and cities to support rural development, so as to promote integrated urban-rural development and more effectively address rural issues.

Fourth, it has greatly enhanced the purchasing power of the general public, especially farmers, and substantially contributed to increasing consumption and expanding domestic demand.

In summary, the abolition of the agricultural tax represents a response to the need for social equity and justice, in addition to providing a boost to sustained development of China's economy.

全面取消農(nóng)業(yè)稅

農(nóng)業(yè)稅是國(guó)家對(duì)一切從事農(nóng)業(yè)生產(chǎn)、有農(nóng)業(yè)收入的單位和個(gè)人征收的一種稅，俗稱“公糧”。隨著改革開(kāi)放的展開(kāi)，中國(guó)經(jīng)濟(jì)迅速發(fā)展，農(nóng)業(yè)稅所占稅收比例越來(lái)越小，1999年農(nóng)業(yè)稅占全部財(cái)政收入4%，2003年則降至1%。2006年1月1日起，中國(guó)更是全面廢除了農(nóng)業(yè)稅。這是具有劃時(shí)代意義的重大變革，標(biāo)志著中國(guó)實(shí)行了2600多年的傳統(tǒng)稅正式退出歷史舞臺(tái)。

取消農(nóng)業(yè)稅對(duì)于中國(guó)經(jīng)濟(jì)和社會(huì)發(fā)展具有重大意義：一是切實(shí)減輕農(nóng)民負(fù)擔(dān)，這是取消農(nóng)業(yè)稅的最直接意義。此舉使廣大農(nóng)民更多分享改革開(kāi)放和現(xiàn)代化建設(shè)成果，從改革中得到實(shí)實(shí)在在的利益。二是影響地方財(cái)政稅收結(jié)構(gòu)，終止稅制設(shè)計(jì)的不合理現(xiàn)象，體現(xiàn)稅收的公平原則，有利于提高農(nóng)業(yè)的競(jìng)爭(zhēng)力。三是有利于加快公共財(cái)政覆蓋農(nóng)村的步伐，逐步實(shí)現(xiàn)基層政府運(yùn)轉(zhuǎn)、農(nóng)村義務(wù)教育等供給由農(nóng)民提供為主轉(zhuǎn)向由政府投入為主，推進(jìn)工業(yè)反哺農(nóng)業(yè)、城市支持農(nóng)村，有利于統(tǒng)籌城鄉(xiāng)發(fā)展，加快“三農(nóng)”問(wèn)題的解決。四是極大增強(qiáng)農(nóng)民和整個(gè)社會(huì)的購(gòu)買能力，對(duì)刺激消費(fèi)和擴(kuò)大內(nèi)需將發(fā)揮重要的促進(jìn)作用?？傊?，取消農(nóng)業(yè)稅不僅有利于中國(guó)經(jīng)濟(jì)的可持續(xù)發(fā)展，也是實(shí)現(xiàn)社會(huì)公平正義的要求。