Recently,Xiaomi's founder, Lei Jun, donated 1.3 billion yuan in cash to his alma mater, Wuhan UniversityThe news has attracted widespread attention. I myself have been teaching Wuhan University and Huazhong University of Science and Technology for a long time in their entrepreneur president classes, which can be said to have a deep relationship.
Lei JunThis donation amount is a record amount and has sparked a discussion about the donation behavior of entrepreneurs. Some see it as an act of charity, others as a commercial strategy. Think about it, 1.3 billion yuan, personal donations, cash donations, this is the largest single donation since the establishment of Wuhan University.
In fact, I think there are several issues that need to be clarified
FirstThis is Lei Jun's personal donationAlthough Lei Jun is highly bound to Xiaomi, the donation is paid by Lei Jun himself, and it has nothing to do with Xiaomi. So don't get involved in saving so much money on taxes for Xiaomi.
SecondThe money he donated was real cash**Unlike some donated goods that can't be sold, some inventory equivalent goods are not donated goods, but cash.
ThirdHe is a cash donation that belongs to an individualThis means that there is no such thing as reasonable tax avoidanceor the statement that the institution holds on behalf of the institutionIt really doesn't make sense to bring this rhythm. The donated money is Lei Jun's personal donation, not a corporate donation that can be used to legally save taxes. It is calculated according to the personal income tax, Lei Jun donated 1.3 billion to Wuhan University, and the best premise is that it can save 62.5 billion yuan of individual income tax, deducting individual income tax, he 1.3 billion, he still has to donate the actual 67.5 billion in cash. If Lei Jun's annual income is less than 4.3 billion, there is no way to maximize his tax deduction. So Lei Jun's net contribution is in 6Between 7.5 billion and 1.3 billion, this is real gold**. As an outstanding alumnus of the Department of Computer Science of Wuhan University in 1987, Lei Jun has made admirable contributions to his alma mater.
FourthLei Jun is real moneyMoreover, Lei Jun said that the donation mainly focuses on three directions to support the basic research of mathematics, physics, chemistry, literature, history and philosophy, support scientific and technological innovation in the field of computer, and support the training of college students. In other words, this money is not simply given to Wuhan University, but also benefits the research of basic disciplines, scientific and technological innovation in the field of computers, and every student of Wuhan University. Who doesn't want such a wealthy senior who cares about his alma mater!
Fifth, this is not the first time Lei Jun has donated to his alma materThis year marks the 130th anniversary of the founding of Wuhan University and the 13th anniversary of the founding of Xiaomi. This may be the ** of Lei Jun's donation of 1.3 billion.
So how to evaluate Lei Jun's movePersonally, I think
FirstFrom a philanthropic point of viewLei Jun's moveIt is undoubtedly a great love and act of kindnessAs a well-known entrepreneur, Lei Jun was able to take out 1.3 billion yuan from his wealth to support education, which is worthy of Xi by all entrepreneurs and worthy of respect and praise from each of us.
SecondThis move by Lei JunEven if it's not just charityIt is also worth emulating by entrepreneursOne of the purposes of entrepreneurs' donations is to gain access to more business opportunities and resources. By donating a huge amount of money to Wuhan University, Lei Jun can establish closer ties and cooperation with the university, so as to obtain more business opportunities and resources, and also enhance the image and brand value of the enterprise, attract more consumers and investors, pay attention to his own enterprises and products, and continue to build a brand and establish a good social image for his own enterprise
ThirdThere must also be those who insist that entrepreneurs donate to avoid taxesThis statement is not entirely falseBut I can tell you for sure, don't generalize. Not all entrepreneurs donate for this purpose. For some entrepreneurs, donating is a sincere act, and it is their return and contribution to society and people.
In fact, many entrepreneurs don't think about the impact of taxes when they donate, they are more concerned about how to use their wealth to help those in need. Many entrepreneurs have a deep understanding of social issues and public welfare. They want to improve the status quo of society by donating money, not to avoid taxes. Many entrepreneurs donate out of awareness of social responsibility and giving back to society.
FourthThere are also donations from entrepreneursNor is it for the sake of gaining social capitalWhile some entrepreneurs may gain some fame or political connections after donating, this is not their main motivation for donating. Many entrepreneurs choose a low-key approach when donating, and they are more concerned with how to help society through donations than for political gain. In particular, some entrepreneurs are already very well-known and have very strong political and business resourcesSuch as Ma Yun, Liu Qiangdong, and Lei Jun, they have all made a large number of charitable donations before. Their donations, not for tax or political purposes, but out of care and giving back to society. They have made positive contributions to the society by donating money to support various public welfare undertakings such as education, poverty alleviation and environmental protection.
AnywayDonations from entrepreneurs like Lei JunIt is out of the awareness of social responsibility and the feedback to the societyThey make donations to improve the status quo of societyHelp those in needThis kind of behavior should be respected and recognized by societyThis behavior also reflects the spirit of return and contribution of entrepreneurs to society and people
Therefore, we should evaluate this behavior from multiple perspectives, and encourage more entrepreneurs to participate in public welfare, and look forward to more entrepreneurs being able to learn from Lei Jun's good example Xi like Lei Jun!"If you are poor, you will be good alone, and if you are good, you will help the world."
Author: Zhu Gengzhou, China Capital Planning and Research Institute).