Statistics show SARS has had an obvious impact on the tourist, transportation, entertainment and catering industries in Guangdong, the site of the first reported SARS case.

Under the preferential policies, the basis of business tax is lowered to varying degrees for enterprises of the above-mentioned industries beginning Jan. 1 this year, while enterprises and individuals will free from income taxes for their anti-SARS donations, and so will front-line medical workers for the temporary subsidies they are offered.

From April 1, real estate taxes and land taxes will be reduced or waived in three months according to the difficulties faced by the parties concerned.

If the SARS crisis lasts until August, the adjustment of tax policies will result in a 900 million yuan (US$108 million) loss in tax revenue, said Wu Shengwen, director of the provincial local tax administration.

(Xinhua News Agency May 10, 2003)