10 Prominent Policies Effective from Early April 2017

1. Determining the VAT Taxable Price for the Electricity Group

According to Decree 10/2017/ND-CP on the financial management regulations of the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) and the amendment to Decree 209/2013/ND-CP guiding the Law on Value-Added Tax (VAT), the VAT taxable price for EVN and its member units is determined as follows:

- For EVN-dependent accounting electricity production companies and electricity generation corporations, it is the selling price of electricity to customers as recorded on the invoice according to the electricity purchase contract;- For EVN-dependent accounting hydropower companies, it is the selling price of electricity to the parent company as announced by EVN before March 31 each year, but not lower than the average production cost of electricity of the previous year of EVN and electricity generation corporations;- For thermal power companies, it is the selling price to the parent company as announced by EVN before March 31 each year, but not lower than the average purchase price of electricity of EVN in the previous year.

Decree 10/2013/ND-CP takes effect from April 01, 2017.

1. New Method for Determining Construction Survey Cost Estimation

Circular 01/2017/TT-BXD guides the determination and management of construction survey costs and takes effect from April 01, 2017. It stipulates two methods for determining construction survey cost estimates as follows:

- Determining based on the volume and unit price of the construction survey;- Determining based on the material, fuel consumption; labor; machinery and surveying equipment and the corresponding price table.

Depending on the technical requirements and specific conditions, one of the two methods above will be applied when conducting construction surveys for each project.

Circular 01/2017/TT-BXD replaces Circular 17/2013/TT-BXD.

1. Collection of Unpaid Wages for Social Insurance Under the Ministry of Defense

On February 16, 2017, the Ministry of Defense issued Circular 37/2017/TT-BQP guiding the management of compulsory social insurance (SI) collection and expenditure within the Ministry of Defense. Accordingly:

From April 02, 2017, monthly wages for compulsory SI contributions will be collected, in arrears, for employees (EEs) and employers (ERs) in the following cases:

- Adjusting upward the monthly wages already paid for SI contributions;- Compensating for the time not covered for EEs working abroad under labor contracts;- Avoiding, delaying, and misappropriating SI contribution amounts of EEs.

No late payment interest will be charged on amounts collected in arrears in cases of wage adjustments and compensation for unpaid periods.

1. Candidates Can Register for Only One Military School

This is one significant content noted in Circular 42/2017/TT-BQP issued by the Ministry of Defense on February 27, 2017. The recruitment for military schools in 2017 is regulated as follows:

- Candidates can only register one first choice (first priority) to one military school from the beginning of their preliminary application. Other choices can be to non-military schools or civilian programs of military schools.

Military schools will only consider candidates who register their first choice for the military school. Candidates who participate in the preliminary selection for military schools are not allowed to participate in the preliminary selection for police schools.- Candidates with nearsightedness are not eligible for officer training schools or logistics;- Registration dossiers for consideration do not need a high school transcript.

Circular 42/2017/TT-BQP takes effect from April 14, 2017, amending and supplementing Circular 17/2016/TT-BQP.

1. Circular 40/2017/TT-BQP on the list of prohibited import and export goods under the specialized management of the Ministry of Defense according to Decree 187/2013/ND-CP;
2. Circular 04/2017/TT-BNNPTNT on the list of wild animals and plants regulated in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES);
3. Circular 01/2017/TT-BTTTT on the list of priority information technology products;
4. Circular 13/2017/TT-BTC on the management of revenue and expenditure in cash through the State Treasury system;
5. Circular 01/2017/TT-BNV on position allowances for leaders with positions as Team Leader and Deputy Team Leader of the Transport Inspectorate Professional Team;
6. Decision 01/2017/QD-KTNN on the procedures for making, appraising, reviewing, and issuing audit reports of the State Audit Office.

>> CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE IN VIETNAMESE