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進入《TAIPEI TIMES》 Slew of new policies go into effect this year, some today
A medical worker in Hsinchu City holds a new born in the city on Double Ten National Day last year. Photo courtesy of the Hsinchu City Government
By Lee I-chia / Staff reporter, with CNA
Dozens of new government measures are to take effect this year, many starting today, such as an increase in the minimum wage, raised tax deductions and exemption thresholds, and the restoration of a one-year conscription period.
The minimum monthly wage is to rise from NT$26,400 to NT$27,470 （US$859 to US$894）, while the minimum hourly wage is to increase from NT$176 to NT$183.
Salaries for military personnel, civil servants and public school teachers are also to rise 4 percent, while the research allowance for university professors, associate professors and assistant professors is to increase 15 percent.
In addition to raising personal tax exemption thresholds, the thresholds for income tax exemption are to include single individuals with an annual income of NT$446,000 or less, dual-income families with an annual income of NT$892,000 or less, dual-income families of four with an annual income of NT$1,086,000 or less and dual-income families with two children aged six or younger with an annual income of NT$1,461,000 or less.
It would also include families with a member who is aged 70 or older and eligible for a special disabled or long-term care deduction, and have an annual income of NT$1,944,500 or less.
The highest allowable tax deduction for rent is to rise from NT$120,000 to NT$180,000.
Infant care subsidies for children younger than two is to rise from NT$5,500 to NT$7,000 for those at public childcare centers and from NT$8,500 to NT$13,000 for those at private centers, while those in low-income and middle-low-income households are to be eligible for an additional NT$2,000, an extra NT$4,000 for low-income and disadvantaged families, and an additional NT$1,000 for a second child and NT$2,000 for a third child.
The national pension’s basic guaranteed payment, and allowance payments for elderly farmers and disadvantaged groups are to increase 7 percent.
The Ministry of Culture’s 1,200 “culture points” — equivalent to NT$1,200 and given to young adults to encourage them to see Taiwanese movies, attend live performances, buy books, visit museums, and purchase cultural and creative products — is to be expanded to include those aged 16 to 22.
Conscription is to be restored to one year for all men born after Jan. 1, 2005.
The Ministry of National Defense said it is expecting to recruit about 9,127 conscripts this year, with the first batch joining on Jan. 25.
An annual tuition subsidy of NT$35,000 is to be provided to students attending private colleges or universities in Taiwan, effective on Feb. 1.
Starting today, foreigners who are highly skilled professionals, top-prize winners in professional disciplines, investment immigration applicants or have made special contributions to Taiwan can apply for permanent residency for their spouses and minor or disabled children.
Foreigners whose Taiwanese spouses have died can apply for residency if they need to care for their underage children, and those who have divorced due to domestic violence can continue their residency, even if they do not have underage children.
The Taipei City Government also announced 16 new measures taking effect today.
They include increasing the salaries for special education teaching assistants, public zookeepers’ risk allowance and subsidies for private residential long-term care facility residents; expanded subsidies for postnuptial and prenatal health checkups; a medical service subsidy plan for underweight infants younger than two; penalties for drivers who fail to meet diesel vehicle inspection requirements; and the installation of traffic enforcement cameras at four intersections in the city.
The childbirth allowance eligibility criteria are to be eased for Taoyuan City, while in Yilan County, the allowance is to be increased from NT$12,000 to NT$13,000. The childbirth allowances for the first, second or third child, or more, are also to be increased in Yunlin and Taitung counties.
新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES
