Special subsidies granted to medical workers combating severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) will be tax-free, according to a circular jointly issued by China's State Administration of Taxation and Ministry of Finance on Friday.
The tax-exempt status applies to medical staff working in hospitals and other medical institutions engaged in combating SARS, the circular said.
The circular also stipulates that the cost of anti-SARS medicine and medical equipment distributed to medical staff should not be calculated as part of monthly income, and is therefore, tax-free.
(Xinhua News Agency April 26, 2003)