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A relatively common model in the freelancing scene today is for a coordinator to sign lump-sum contracts, receive the money, and then distribute it to the rest of the team. This model is common: one 'hub' person receives all the money and then distributes it to the crew. The problem is that tax authorities do not view the internal distribution; they look at the person whose name is on the income receipt. If all money from contracts flows into a single person’s personal account, legally that money can be treated as that person’s income. When filing taxes, income is taxed under the progressive tax schedule, with the top rate reaching 35% if income exceeds 100 million VND per month. This creates a paradox: although the individual may only keep a small portion, they must pay tax on the entire amount that passes through their account. Imagine someone who receives 5 billion VND in a year but actually keeps only 1 billion, with the rest paid to the team. Without contracts, receipts, or a clear legal structure to prove those are legitimate costs, the tax authorities can still treat the full 5 billion as personal income. Then the majority of the income falls into the highest tax bracket, driving up the tax payable. This is why there are cases where people do not appear as rich as their income suggests, yet pay taxes at high rates. "Not how much you earn but how you receive money". The progressive personal income tax schedule applies from January 1, 2026 under the revised Personal Income Tax Law. The reality explains why many artists, celebrities, or freelancers do not receive money directly as individuals, but operate behind a company they establish themselves. If an individual receives money directly, income is taxed under the personal progressive tax schedule. If through a company, corporate income tax is usually around 20%, and more importantly, legitimate costs can be deducted. In practice, generating revenue requires more than one person; a whole system behind it—paying collaborators, outsourcing, tool costs, marketing—must be recorded legitimately. When these are properly documented, the taxable income is reduced significantly. However, money held within a company is not the same as personal funds. When withdrawn for use, other tax obligations may arise. Therefore, forming a company is not a way to "avoid tax" but to separate business activity from personal income and to manage cash flow more systematically. A common mistake today is many freelancer groups still operate with one person named on the entire income, then distribute to the team, but without contracts, receipts, or proper structure. When that happens, the portion of the income that is "split" is not recognized as a legitimate expense, and the entire income is treated as personal income. The key point is not how much you earn, but how you receive money, whether the cash flow is transparent, and whether the deductions meet legal criteria. Thus, even a small difference in how you receive money can create a large gap in taxes payable. For freelancers, especially when they start taking on large contracts or working in teams, establishing financial and legal structures from the outset is no longer optional but almost mandatory if you want to avoid ending up with "low take-home pay but high taxes." Phan Trang
Premium gym chains are entering a “golden era” that is ending or already in decline, as rising operating costs collide with shifting consumer preferences toward more flexible, community-based ways to exercise. Long-term memberships are shrinking, margins are pressured by higher rents and facility expenses, and competition from smaller, more personalized…
