Taxation in Hong Kong explained

Under Article 108 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong, the taxation system in Hong Kong is independent of, and different from, the taxation system in mainland China. In addition, under Article 106 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, Hong Kong has independent public finance, and no tax revenue is handed over to the Central Government in China.[1] The taxation system in Hong Kong is generally considered to be one of the simplest, most transparent and straightforward systems in the world.[2] Taxes are collected through the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

Since the Common Law System is applied in Hong Kong, judgements by the Courts and Boards of Review in tax law cases are used to assist the interpretation of taxation rules and concepts. Furthermore, the Inland Revenue Department issues Departmental Interpretation and Practice Notes (DIPNs) from time to time to clarify and elaborate on the tax rules and to smooth the tax collection process.[3]

Taxes collected in Hong Kong can be generally classified as:

In the fiscal year 2013/14, Profits tax, an income tax on corporations, constituted the largest source of tax collected by the government, followed by Salaries Tax, an income tax on individuals.[4]

Income Tax

Unlike most countries which apply both residential jurisdiction and territorial jurisdiction in determining the tax liability of a person, Hong Kong uses only the territorial source jurisdiction and disregards the concept of residence.[5] Thus, only profits sourced in Hong Kong are taxable whereas overseas income is not taxable. (As an exception, certain kinds of worldwide deemed trading receipts are taxable for non-residents.)

Salaries Tax

See main article: Salaries tax. The wages and incomes received from employment are subjected to tax. Income tax rate in Hong Kong is 2% when net taxable income is from 1 to 50000 Hong Kong dollars, 6% when net taxable income is between 50001 and 100000 Hong Kong dollars, 10% when net taxable income is between 100001 and 150000 Hong Kong dollars and 14% when net taxable income is between 150001 and 200000 Hong Kong dollars. Taxable income above 200000 Hong Kong dollars is subjected to income tax rate of 17%[6]

Profits Tax

See main article: Profits tax.

Hong Kong Profits Tax is levied on the net profits of businesses. Companies and individuals (sole proprietors) carrying out business in Hong Kong are liable to Profits Tax[7] if the profits arise in Hong Kong. The source of profits is one of the most controversial topics in Hong Kong taxation. Principally, it is guided by an established set of tests and judgments in court cases. The Departmental Interpretation and Practice Notes provides viewpoints from the IRD's perspective but these are subject to revision if major inconsistencies with court judgments are subsequently found. Certain kinds of deemed trading receipts are taxed irrespective of the source rule.[8] Tax on these deemed trading receipts are collected by agents or other persons on withholding basis.[9] [10] Tax liability may be measured by reference to gross income or turnover for deemed trading receipts and in case where profits cannot reliably ascertained.[11] [12] Capital gain is out of the scope of Hong Kong Profits Tax. However, whether a gain is in capital nature is debatable.

Certain tax deductions are granted when expenses are incurred.[13] Capital expenditure is not tax-deductible in general.[14] Nevertheless, several kinds of capital expenditure are tax-deductible in the year of purchase or spreading over years, subject to the requirements in specific provisions. Allowances are granted for the purchase or construction of buildings and plants and machinery.[15] [16] [17] [18]

For the fiscal year 2014/15, the Profits Tax rate is 16.5% for companies and 15% for individual sole proprietors. Half of the original rates will be charged on concessionary receipts including income derived from qualifying debt instruments and offshore reinsurance business.[19] [20] [21]

Property Tax

Property Tax is levied on the income from the letting of immovable property in Hong Kong. Property tax carries an immaterial proportion of the revenue of the government. For the year of assessment 2013/14, property tax amounts to 0.01% of the total revenue. The tax rules are straightforward and simple.

Both individuals or corporate owners (including joint tenants) are liable to Properties Tax. However, corporate owners who carry out business in Hong Kong may either:

The tax is paid on 15% of the net assessable value, equal to assessable value minus deductions.[24] Assessable Value includes:

Deductions include:

Transfer Tax

Stamp Duty

Stamp Duty is collected upon existence of certain transactions in Hong Kong. The three major types of transactions that attract stamp duties are transfers of Hong Kong immovable properties, transfers of Hong Kong shares and leases of immovable properties. Stamp Duties are chargeable on dutiable instruments.

Transactions Instruments required
Transfer of Hong Kong immovable properties Agreement for sale and purchase
Lease of Hong Kong immovable properties Deed of Conveyance
Transfer of Hong Kong Stock Contract Notes
Transfer of Hong Kong Stock Instrument of Transfers

Betting Duty

Turnover Tax

See main article: Goods and Services Tax (Hong Kong).

No turnover tax (e.g. Value-Added Tax and Goods and Services Tax) has been imposed in Hong Kong. As a result, Hong Kong is considered to be favourable for profit shifting and conducting re-invoicing activities. In July 2006, Proposal of legislation of Goods and Services Tax (“GST”) was made by the Government, who argues that tax base in Hong Kong was urged to be broadened. Subsequently, due to fierce opposition of the general public, the proposal was dropped.[28] [29]

Tax Administration

Individual Tax Return

Taxpayers who received Individual Tax Return are required to fill out the return in order to notify the IRD their Profits Tax, Salaries Tax and Property Tax positions.

For regular taxpayers, normally IRD issues Salaries Tax Return to them on the first working day of May every year.[30] They are also required to furnish the return within 1 month in normal case.[31]

Employer's Return

In Hong Kong, it is IRD's general practice to issue Employer's Returns to Hong Kong Company in every April in the year. The employer is obliged to file the form within 1 month from the date of issue in order to notify IRD the amount of wages, salaries and other kinds of remuneration paid to the employees during the year of assessment ending 31 March every year. No Employer's return is required to be furnished for those employees who received HK$120,000 or less during the Year of Assessment.[32]

External links

  1. GovHK: Tax Computation of Salaries Tax and Personal Assessment, Salaries Tax and Personal Assessment Calculator

Notes and References

  1. http://www.basiclaw.gov.hk/en/basiclawtext/images/basiclaw_full_text_en.pdf, Original Text of Basic Law of Hong Kong, Constitution of Hong Kong, retrieved on 15 Jan 2015
  2. http://www.investhk.gov.hk/why-hong-kong/low-and-simple-tax-regime.html, InvestHK, retrieved on 15 Jan 2015
  3. http://www.ird.gov.hk/eng/ppr/dip.htm, Lists of Department Interpretation and Practice Notes, the Inland Revenue Department, retrieved on 15 Jan 2015
  4. http://www.ird.gov.hk/dar/2013-14/table/en/revenue.pdf, Chapter 2 - Revenue, Annual Report 2013-2014 of the Inland Revenue Department Of HKSAR, retrieved on 15 Jan 2015
  5. Web site: IRD : A Simple Guide on the Territorial Source Principle of Taxation . www.ird.gov.hk . 17 Jan 2015.
  6. Web site: 香港各项所得税及税率概览 .
  7. Web site: Profit tax. 6 January 2023. insightconsultancy.wixsite.com/. 16 Feb 2023.
  8. http://www.legislation.gov.hk/blis_ind.nsf/CurAllEngDoc/6ABCC755C181F51D48257BCC000FC7FA?OpenDocument Section 15 of Inland Revenue Ordinance Cap 112
  9. http://www.legislation.gov.hk/blis_ind.nsf/CurAllEngDoc/05D7D7F2959C51E3482579C700084C66?OpenDocument Section 20A of Inland Revenue Ordinance Cap 112
  10. http://www.legislation.gov.hk/blis_ind.nsf/CurAllEngDoc/032F47089DA708E1482579C700084D11?OpenDocument Section 20B of Inland Revenue Ordinance Cap 112
  11. http://www.legislation.gov.hk/blis_ind.nsf/CurAllEngDoc/DBE8DABA7135FC9E482579C700084B57?OpenDocument Section 21 of Inland Revenue Ordinance Cap 112
  12. http://www.legislation.gov.hk/blis_ind.nsf/CurAllEngDoc/56A937CF233B653C482579C700084EB8?OpenDocument Section 21A of Inland Revenue Ordinance Cap 112
  13. http://www.legislation.gov.hk/blis_ind.nsf/da97f6a8ed400207482564820006b580/671aeb9e750a13b948257c91000c9af7?OpenDocument Section 16(1) of Inland Revenue Ordinance Cap 112
  14. http://www.legislation.gov.hk/blis_ind.nsf/AllVerAllEngDoc/FD5CF18238D308DC482579C700084C7C?OpenDocument Section 17(1)(c) of Inland Revenue Ordinance Cap 112
  15. http://www.legislation.gov.hk/blis_ind.nsf/AllVerAllEngDoc/4A821FFD8EBFBEAC482579C700084D17?OpenDocument&blismobile=1 Section 33A of Inland Revenue Ordinance Cap 112
  16. http://www.legislation.gov.hk/blis_ind.nsf/AllVerAllEngDoc/84F392E9F0909A91482579C700084D0C?OpenDocument&blismobile=1 Section 34 of Inland Revenue Ordinance Cap 112
  17. http://www.legislation.gov.hk/blis_ind.nsf/AllVerAllEngDoc/03FFDDC0912D90DC482579C700084C9C?OpenDocument&blismobile=1 Section 37 of Inland Revenue Ordinance Cap 112
  18. http://www.legislation.gov.hk/blis_ind.nsf/AllVerAllEngDoc/99B64E6C9624CAC4482579C700084BE7?OpenDocument&blismobile=1 Section 39B of Inland Revenue Ordinance Cap 112
  19. http://www.ird.gov.hk/eng/tax/bus_pft.htm#a10, Profits Tax Rate, Inland Revenue Department, retrieved on 21 Jan 2015
  20. http://www.legislation.gov.hk/blis_ind.nsf/CurAllEngDoc/C75F148B68B7A18F48257C91000C9B02?OpenDocument Section 14A(1) of Inland Revenue Ordinance Cap 112
  21. http://www.legislation.gov.hk/blis_ind.nsf/CurAllEngDoc/A46E48FC83D14C6B48257CB7002C8A1C?OpenDocument Section 14B of Inland Revenue Ordinance Cap 112
  22. Inland Revenue Ordinance Cap 112, s.5(2)(a)
  23. Inland Revenue Ordinance Cap 112, s.25
  24. Inland Revenue Ordinance Cap 112, s.5(1)
  25. Inland Revenue Ordinance Cap 112, s.5B
  26. Inland Revenue Ordinance Cap 112, s.5(1A)(b)
  27. Inland Revenue Ordinance Cap 112, s.7C
  28. http://www.taxreform.gov.hk/eng/pdf/Chapter_01.pdf, Is Tax Reform Required in Hong Kong?, retrieved on 17 Jan 2015
  29. http://www.taxreform.gov.hk/eng/pdf/Chapter_02.pdf, Boardening the Tax Base: What Are Our Options?, retrieved on 17 Jan 2015
  30. http://www.ird.gov.hk/eng/pdf/pam43e.pdf. A guide for first time Salaries Taxpayer, Inland Revenue Department, retrieved on 20 Jan 2015
  31. http://www.ird.gov.hk/eng/tax/ind_ctr.htm#a041, Completion and Filing of Tax Return - Individuals (BIR60), retrieved on 20 Jan 2015
  32. http://www.ird.gov.hk/eng/pdf/bir56a_notes_e.pdf, Notes and Instructions for Form BIR56A and IR56B, Inland Revenue Department, retrieved on 17 Jan 2015.