GovHK: Employee Tax Obligations (2024)

Most individual taxpayers in Hong Kong who receive income from an office, employment or pension are charged salaries tax. This article will tell you whether you need to pay salaries tax, what to do when paying it and the types of notice you need to give the Inland Revenue Department when your circ*mstances change.

Do I Need to Pay Salaries Tax?

You can be charged salaries tax on your income arising in or derived from Hong Kong from any employment, office, and pension. If you receive a tax return from the Inland Revenue Department, you must complete and submit it by the due date for filing even if you have no income that can be charged to salaries tax.

If you work for yourself and are not an employee, you are considered to be self-employed and can be charged profits tax instead.

More on the tax obligations of self-employed person

The Tax-paying Process

When you receive your Tax Return – Individuals (BIR60) you should complete and submit it by the due date for filing, and then pay the tax at the specified time after you receive your notice of assessment. If you do not receive a tax return you should notify the Inland Revenue Department that your income could be chargeable to tax.

More on notification of chargeability

Notification of Changed Circ*mstances

You should notify the Inland Revenue Department if you have changed your address as listed on your tax return or will soon be leaving Hong Kong for longer than a month. You should give notification of change of address as soon as possible but no later than one month after the change. If you are leaving Hong Kong for longer than a month you should give notice one month before your departure.

More on giving notice about a change of addressMore on giving notice about departing from Hong Kong
GovHK: Employee Tax Obligations (2024)

FAQs

How do I know if I need to pay tax HK? ›

You can be charged salaries tax on your income arising in or derived from Hong Kong from any employment, office, and pension. If you receive a tax return from the Inland Revenue Department, you must complete and submit it by the due date for filing even if you have no income that can be charged to salaries tax.

What is the 60 day rule in HK tax? ›

In determining whether all the services are rendered outside Hong Kong SAR for a given year of assessment, no account is taken of services rendered in Hong Kong SAR during visits not exceeding 60 days in the basis period for the year of assessment (the so-called '60-day rule').

What is a tax obligation? ›

Meaning of tax obligation in English

an amount of tax that you have to pay in a particular period: By the following year his tax obligation was back up to $15,000.

How do I know if I need to pay taxes? ›

Most U.S. citizens or permanent residents who work in the U.S. have to file a tax return. Generally, you need to file if: Your gross income is over the filing requirement. You have over $400 in net earnings from self-employment (side jobs or other independent work)

Do foreigners pay tax in Hong Kong? ›

There is income tax for every individual in Hong Kong. Even foreigners have to pay taxes. There are also differences between profits tax, income tax and property tax, with different requirements for each. However, Hong Kong indeed has one of the most attractive income tax rates of any of the first-world economies.

How do I know if I am a tax resident of Hong Kong? ›

Individual who stays in Hong Kong for more than 180 days during a year of assessment or for more than 300 days in two consecutive years of assessment one of which is the relevant year of assessment; Company / partnership / trust / body of persons incorporated or constituted in Hong Kong; or.

What is exempt from Hong Kong income tax? ›

You are exempt from salaries tax for a year of assessment only if you rendered all services outside Hong Kong in that year of assessment, unless you are a civil servant or a crew member of a ship or an aircraft.

What income is taxable in Hong Kong? ›

Any salary, wages or director's fees you earn are chargeable to salaries tax, and the gross amounts before the deduction of your contributions to a recognised occupational retirement scheme or mandatory provident fund scheme should be reported.

How much tax is taken off of paychecks in Hong Kong? ›

Here are the salaries tax rates for the period from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.
Taxable income band (HKD)National income tax rate
1 – 50,0002%
50,001 – 100,0006%
100,001 – 150,00010%
150,001 – 200,00014%
1 more row

Are government employees exempt from taxes? ›

In most cases, individuals who serve as public officials are government employees. Therefore, the government entity is responsible for withholding and paying Federal income tax, social security and Medicare taxes. They must also issue a Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, to a public official.

How do I calculate my tax obligation? ›

How to calculate tax liability from taxable income. Your taxable income minus your tax deductions equals your gross tax liability. Gross tax liability minus any tax credits you're eligible for equals your total income tax liability.

Who is exempt from paying federal taxes? ›

Some Americans might be exempt from filing income taxes because they don't meet the income requirements to file, or they're being claimed as a dependent.

At what age is Social Security no longer taxed? ›

Social Security income can be taxable no matter how old you are. It all depends on whether your total combined income exceeds a certain level set for your filing status. You may have heard that Social Security income is not taxed after age 70; this is false.

Does Social Security count as income? ›

You must pay taxes on up to 85% of your Social Security benefits if you file a: Federal tax return as an “individual” and your “combined income” exceeds $25,000. Joint return, and you and your spouse have “combined income” of more than $32,000.

How much can a 70 year old earn without paying taxes? ›

For retirees 65 and older, here's when you can stop filing taxes: Single retirees who earn less than $14,250. Married retirees filing jointly, who earn less than $26,450 if one spouse is 65 or older or who earn less than $27,800 if both spouses are age 65 or older. Married retirees filing separately who earn less than ...

How much do you need to earn to pay tax in Hong Kong? ›

Here are the salaries tax rates for the period from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.
Taxable income band (HKD)National income tax rate
1 – 50,0002%
50,001 – 100,0006%
100,001 – 150,00010%
150,001 – 200,00014%
1 more row

How do I know if I paid my taxes or not? ›

If two weeks have gone by since you sent the last payment and your bank verifies that the check hasn't cleared your account, call the IRS at 800-829-1040. Ask them if the payment has been credited to your account.

Who needs to pay property tax in Hong Kong? ›

Under the provisions of the Inland Revenue Ordinance, every joint owner or owner in common is responsible for reporting rental income on tax returns and paying property tax as if they are the sole owner.

Is Hong Kong tax free for tourists? ›

Hong Kong is considered as the ultimate shopping heaven, where you can easily find all of the major international brands of products. Due to the fact that Hong Kong has no sales tax (tax-free), prices here are rather competitive.

References

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