File photo: The approach of the Mid-Autumn Festival has reignited debate about China's "mooncake tax."

據《上海日報》報道，中秋節臨近，有關“月餅稅”的征收再次引發大眾熱議。
The approach of the Mid-Autumn Festival has reignited debate about China's "mooncake tax," Shanghai Daily reported.

近來，北京、上海、南京各稅務部門提示，各公司中秋節所發放的月餅在繳稅范圍內，需將月餅的市場價值加入到員工的工資內，然后按工資標準個稅進行扣除。
Tax authorities in Shanghai, Beijing and Nanjing recently sent memos to employers that the mooncake – a traditional food for the festival – they offer their employees should be considered part of their monthly allowances, and the mooncake's prices should be included in the calculation of tax to be ducted from the employees' salaries.

然而，大部分納稅人，尤其是中低收入者，認為此規定很是荒謬，網上也盡是批評之聲。
However, most taxpayers, especially the middle and low income workers, considers the rule outrageous, and there has been a wave of criticism on the Internet.

正在進行的微博用戶調查顯示，超過96%的參與者認為不應征收月餅稅。
Over 96 percent of the participants of an ongoing poll on weibo.com said the tax body should impose no tax on mooncakes.

北京市民俗協會王揖表示，月餅不同于其它福利，公司中秋佳節期間給員工發放月餅是為了表示感謝和鼓勵；對贈送月餅這項傳統收稅，還是有些牽強。
"Mooncakes are different from other allowances, because they are a symbol of gratitude and encouragement to employees in the Chinese traditional culture, which should not be taxable," said Wang Yi from the Beijing Folk Custom Association.

(China.org.cn September 1, 2011)