Taxation
Types of Income Taxes in Hong Kong
Instead of a single unified income tax, three separate income taxes are levied in Hong Kong – profits tax, property tax, and salaries tax. More details are available on the government’s website.
Profits Tax
Levied on non-corporate professional, trade or business income at a flat rate of 15% from 2015/16 year of assessment onwards
Property Tax
Levied at a flat rate of 15% on rental income, after a standard deduction of 20%
Salaries Tax
Levied on net chargeable income (assessable income less personal deductions and allowances) at progressive rates ranging from 2% to 17%, or at a flat rate (maximum rate) of 15%), whichever calculation produces the lower tax liability
Salaries Tax & Personal Assessment
Salaries tax is imposed on all employment income arising in or derived from Hong Kong. The tax return is to be filed annually with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD). If you do not receive a “Tax Return-Individuals”, you should notify the IRD as soon as possible.
Tax Authority
Tax Year
1 April to 31 March
Tax Return Due Date
Within one month from the date of issue (IRD usually sends out the individual tax return in May)
Possibility of Joint-filing
Yes (may elect to be assessed on a joint basis if more beneficial)
Tax Rates of Salaries Tax & Personal Assessment
Click here for the tax rates from year of assessment 2018/19 onwards
Payment Methods
Click here to learn more
The University’s Finance and Enterprises Office (FEO) will file the Employer’s Annual Tax Return on your earnings to IRD after the end of the year of assessment. To assist you to complete your “Tax Return-Individuals”, a copy of the Annual Tax Return will be made available on your HKU Portal (“Self Service > Finance & Enterprises Office > Annual Tax Return”). You will be notified by the FEO when the Annual Tax Return is ready on your HKU Portal, usually at the end of April each year. Enquiries could be directed to the FEO by email.
If you are assessed to salaries tax, you may be entitled to deductions and allowances provided that the prescribed conditions are satisfied. Click here for the detailed allowance, deduction and tax rate table.
You can calculate your salaries tax payable by using the government’s online tax calculator.
A foreign tax credit is available to Hong Kong tax residents in respect of income derived from and taxable in a jurisdiction that has entered into a Comprehensive Double Taxation Agreement (CDTA) with Hong Kong and if the same income is subject to tax in Hong Kong. Salaries taxpayers are required to take all reasonable steps to minimise the foreign tax payable before claiming for tax credits in Hong Kong.
Click here for the list of countries that have entered into CDTA with Hong Kong.
eTAX is an online platform where you can enjoy a wide range of personalised online tax services, such as filing your tax returns online, checking for any outstanding tax return or payment and receiving e-alert messages on return filing and tax payment when the due dates are approaching.
To log in to your eTAX account, you need your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and eTAX password. Apply for your eTAX password and learn more about the features of eTAX here.