E-commerce tax may be introduced this year, said an article in Beijing News (excerpts below).

The tax issue has been discussed ever since 2003 when online shopping began in China.

Some people believe that the tax may hit e-commerce sites like Taobao.

Trading volume on Taobao broke 800 billion yuan ($130.56 billion) in 2012.

If the government imposes a tax rate of 5 percent, it will increase tax revenue by 40 billion yuan.

There are other options but the main point is that a tax on e-commerce is coming. What is important now is that all the possible options are closely studied and the best one, for both the government and the public, is adopted.