Plans to ease tax burden on poor

An increase in the minimum taxable income from US$99 a month to US$185 is being considered by the National People's Congress in a bid to narrow the country's widening wealth gap, state media reported. Consideration of the draft amendment of the law on income tax comes in the wake of growing social unrest, with scores of protests triggered by disputes over land, abuse of power and corruption, much of which is blamed on the growing gap between rich and poor. Some local governments have already raised the minimum taxable income, with Beijing setting a level of US$148 and Shenzhen US$193.