Process overview
Tax return - Individual basics
Everyone seems to have received their tax form, but I haven’t. Should I be worried?
The Hong Kong tax year is from 1st April to 31st March of the following year. The IRD typically issues tax returns at the beginning of May after the tax year end, however, if this will be the first time you are filing a tax return in Hong Kong, it might take the IRD additional time to set up your tax file before issuing a tax return to you.
When is the deadline for submitting my tax return?
The submission deadline is usually 1 month after the date that the Tax Return - Individuals (Form BIR60) has been issued to you by the IRD. Vialto Partners can apply for extensions for submission of the tax return, if necessary, but this will be subject to approval by the IRD. For individuals permanently departing Hong Kong, the filing due date may be less than 1 month depending on the taxpayer’s circumstances.
Can I file a joint tax return with my spouse?
In general, married persons must file separate tax returns, and pay tax separately if both have chargeable income. However, couples who are adversely impacted by the separate taxation system may both elect for joint assessment so that income and deductions can be aggregated in the tax calculation.
Joint taxation is only advantageous in limited circumstances.
Providing information to Vialto Partners
Do I need to provide Vialto Partners with my monthly payslips?
No, we do not need copies of your monthly payslips. Instead, we need a copy of the Employer’s Return, which is filed by your employer and summarises your income for the tax year. If you do not have a copy, please contact your HR.
If our service to you is covered by your employer, generally, your employer will provide us with your compensation details directly. In the online myMobility Tax Questionnaire, when you get to the question "Please indicate how your compensation information will be provided to Vialto Partners”—select “My employer will provide an earnings statement containing my employment compensation information directly to Vialto Partners”.
If you have Hong Kong sourced income from other employments, please provide a copy of the relevant Employer’s Return.
Do I need to provide Vialto Partners with my travel data?
If any of the following applies to you, please complete the online calendar in myMobility:
- You are under a non-Hong Kong employment on assignment in Hong Kong, or
- You are a business traveller to Hong Kong, or
- You were on assignment outside Hong Kong
My employer authorises Vialto Partners for my tax preparation service. Does this include the tax filing for my spouse?
Vialto Partners' ability to declare taxes for your spouse depends on your employer's agreement. If you are unsure, please consult your HR department for further details.
What tax deductions can I claim against my employment income?
The following are common tax deductions:
- Cash donation made to a Hong Kong recognised tax-exempt charity or to the Government for charitable purposes
- Annual membership subscription to one professional association
- Self-education expenses incurred for the purpose of gaining or maintaining qualifications for use in your employment
- Mandatory contributions made to a Hong Kong recognized retirement scheme—e.g. Mandatory Provident Fund Scheme (MPF) or Occupational Retirement Schemes Ordinance (ORSO)
- Contributions made to a Tax-deductible Voluntary Contribution (TVC) account in Hong Kong
- Qualified Deferred Annuity Premium (QDAP) paid for a policy purchased by either yourself, your spouse, or you and your spouse jointly as the policy holder in Hong Kong
- Premiums paid for a Hong Kong Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS) for yourself or specified relative
- Mortgage interest paid for a principal residential home in Hong Kong
- Rent paid as a tenant under a qualifying tenancy of domestic premises in Hong Kong
- Expenses incurred on assisted reproductive services in Hong Kong
Please note that all supporting documents should be retained for a period of 6 years after the expiration of the tax year in which the payments were made. The supporting documents do not need to be submitted upon filing but may be requested if your case is selected for review by the IRD.
Are outgoings and expenses deductible in my tax return?
They are deductible only if they are wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred in the production of the assessable income. The requirement is very stringent.
Signing your tax return
Can Vialto Partners e-file my tax return instead of filing a hard copy of my signed return?
The IRD offers eTAX services, but these are specifically for taxpayers and provide limited functionality. As your tax representative, Vialto Partners are required to file the IRD's offical hard copy tax return form.
Where do I need to sign on the tax return?
Please sign:
(1) Declaration—page 4 of the Form BIR60, and
(2) Appendix to BIR60—page 2.
To streamline the submission process, you may wish to pre-sign your IRD issued tax return and send the blank form to Vialto Partners. Once prepared, an electronic copy of your return will be uploaded to your Vialto Partners myMobility account for your approval. Your return will not be submitted until we receive your approval. Once we receive your approval, your return will be dated on your behalf before submission.
Approving your tax return
How do I approve my tax return?
If you have pre-signed your tax return and sent it to Vialto Partners in advance, an electronic copy of your return will be uploaded to your myMobility account once completed by us. Please download, review, and confirm your approval by clicking the consent button.
Once we receive your consent via myMobility, we will automatically file your tax return with the IRD. You will not receive any further notification. If you have not pre-signed your tax return, we will deliver the hard copy of the tax return to you for review and signature once completed.
If you agree with the tax return, please sign and send the original tax return to the IRD.
What is "Place of Residence" on the tax return and tax computation?
If an employee is provided with accommodation by their employer (including a reimbursement of rent), this is deemed a housing benefit provided by the employer and subject to Hong Kong salaries tax.
However, instead of taxing the full cost of the accommodation provided, a notional value is calculated based on a percentage of the employee's net employment income as follows:
- 10% for flat / house / serviced apartment
- 8% for 2 rooms in a hotel / hostel / boarding house
- 4% for 1 room in a hotel / hostel / boarding house