China plans to hire the largest number of tax officials in more than a decade this year, as Beijing steps up taxation reform and tries to strengthen enforcement amid a widening budget deficit.
Making China more fiscally sustainable is a major challenge for President Xi Jinping’s government, which is increasing spending to boost weak consumption at a time when a property slump and crackdowns on fee collection have left many local authorities desperately short of cash.
Central and local government tax departments plan to recruit 25,004 staff in 2026, accounting for two-thirds of the new bureaucrats to be appointed from among the millions taking part in fiercely competitive national exams, according to the state civil service administration.