The Vietnamese General Department of Taxation has introduced an AI-powered virtual tax assistant. The assistant is accessible 24/7 through platforms such as the Etaxmobile app, Ihanoi citizens app, and the tax sector’s electronic portal. The virtual assistant is built on a database of over 10,000 bilingual queries.
It offers user-friendly answers about tax regulations, procedures, and obligations. The assistant can also accurately address specific queries, such as tax liabilities for individuals operating across multiple e-commerce platforms, by citing relevant laws like Circular No. 40/2021/TT-BTC.
It provides integrated forms and visual guides for ease of use. Hanoi’s Tax Department manages over 236,000 enterprises, 235,000 business households, and over 10 million personal tax IDs. The department is enhancing its tax management system with big data integration, connecting national databases from various sectors such as police, social insurance, banking, and transportation, alongside its 80-million-strong taxpayer data warehouse.
A specialized e-commerce database has also been developed to track taxpayers engaged in online business activities.
Vietnam’s AI-enhanced tax assistance
This initiative marks a significant milestone in Hanoi’s efforts to modernize and streamline tax management through advanced digital technologies.
The virtual assistant is expected to become a cornerstone in modernizing tax services, reflecting the tax sector’s broader strategy to harness AI for improved service delivery. Green and digital transformation are becoming dual drivers of growth for Hanoi, paving the way for the city’s modern and sustainable development. Hanoi is enhancing efforts to attract investment in digital technology, high technology, and electronic industry products, along with related ecosystems through various initiatives like the Hanoi Digitech 2024 event set to take place in the capital city.
The proposed amendment in Vietnam could see e-commerce platforms like Facebook, Apple, and Netflix, which generate revenues in the country, required to register and pay taxes directly or through authorized representatives starting January 1, 2025. This shift aims to combat tax evasion and simplify administrative processes. Since March 2022, foreign companies have declared over VNĐ18.6 trillion (US$732.1 million) in taxes.
Regarding the domestic e-commerce sector, taxation authorities have begun tax collection this year, with Hà Nội alone gathering approximately VNĐ35 trillion by the beginning of November, according to Deputy Prime Minister Hồ Đức Phớc. These amendments are part of a broader legislative effort to modernize Vietnam’s financial regulations. The Standing Committee has called for thorough reviews to ensure that all proposed changes align with national policy objectives and legal consistency.
