Sichuan's Incentivized Invoice Pilot Reaches "One-Month Mark," Over 2.52 Million People Join the "Consumer Lottery" Campaign

A small invoice is becoming a “lucky sign” in the hands of Sichuan consumers.

On March 17, the reporter learned from the Sichuan Provincial Taxation Bureau of the State Taxation Administration that, as one of 50 pilot cities nationwide for prize-winning invoices, Chengdu and Luzhou launched their pilots on February 11 and February 9, respectively. By March 15, the province had uploaded a total of 14.7259 million participating invoices, with a total amount of 7.246 billion yuan, over 2.52 million participants, and 2.289 million winning invoices.

“Winning prizes are credited instantly, and I plan to use the bonus for next time’s ‘extra dishes’.” Recently, Ms. Zhuo, a resident of Dujiangyan, asked for an invoice after dining at Zhenghe Fresh Hotpot and unexpectedly won a bonus of 80 yuan. Her experience is a microcosm of how the prize-winning invoice pilot is activating the consumer market in Sichuan.

Prize-winning invoices not only give consumers a sweet reward but also help promote standardized business practices. “The number of customers requesting invoices has clearly increased. We are very careful and verify every detail,” said Wang Xiaolin, manager of “A Lin Xiao Guan” restaurant in Luzhou’s Jiucheng Amusement Park. He believes that transparent and standardized operations are an investment in the store’s brand reputation and help earn more consumer trust.

To ensure convenient and efficient invoicing for businesses, Sichuan tax authorities have introduced proactive services and rapid response work modes, focusing on key industries such as retail, catering, and accommodation. They organize tax officials to provide guidance through a combination of remote and on-site assistance, ensuring that business operators can resolve issues promptly during invoicing and receipt processes.

Li Haonan, associate professor at the School of Finance and Taxation at Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, believes that prize-winning invoices, with small immediate rewards, guide consumers to develop the habit of actively requesting invoices, and the logic of mutual benefit runs throughout. These invoices ignite consumer enthusiasm and also contribute to building a trustworthy market environment.

A relevant person from the Tax Collection and Technology Development Department of the Sichuan Provincial Taxation Bureau stated that they hope the pilot of prize-winning invoices can better unleash consumption potential and activate market vitality. While guiding consumers to develop the habit of actively requesting invoices, they also aim to reinforce the importance of honest business practices among operators, making standardized invoicing a conscious choice for business owners.

Cover image source: Meiri Media Library