Business Tax Portal (BTP) and Tax Representative Portal (TRP)
1.
Q:
What is Business Tax Portal?
A:
The Business Tax Portal (BTP) is an electronic platform provided by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) to assist the Registered Entities to fulfill their tax-related obligations under applicable laws, comprising the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112) (IRO), Stamp Duty Ordinance (Cap. 117), Tax Reserve Certificates Ordinance (Cap. 289), and Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310) (as applicable) (collectively referred to as “the Ordinances”).
The BTP is part of the eTAX System, which is the electronic platform provided by the IRD that integrates online services for both individual and business taxpayers. The eTAX System allows users to access and manage their tax-related matters electronically through the Government’s GovHK system.
More details can be found on the IRD’s dedicated webpage at www.ird.gov.hk/eng/tax/bus_taxportal.htm.
2.
Q:
How can a Business Taxpayer access and manage tax and/or business matters electronically through BTP?
A:
The Responsible Person of the Business needs to first open a BTP Business Account, then appoint BTP Administrator(s), who are responsible for managing the BTP Business Account and in turn appoint other BTP Administrator(s) and BTP Authorized User(s) for the Business. Only those BTP Administrator(s) and BTP Authorized User(s) appointed by the Business can handle tax and/or business matters of the Business under BTP.
3.
Q:
Who can perform the business account registration with the BTP?
A:
Only the Responsible Person (RP) of the Business can register for a BTP Business Account under which he can appoint BTP Administrator to manage the BTP Business Account of the Business.
Depending on the legal form or arrangement of the Registered Entity, the RP must be a Natural Person in one of the following capacities:
(a) | director or secretary of a corporation; |
(b) | partner in a partnership; |
(c) | general partner in a limited partnership fund; |
(d) | principal officer of a body of persons; or |
(e) | sole proprietor of a sole proprietorship business. |
4.
Q:
Can a Business Taxpayer register for more than one account with the BTP?
A:
No, a Business Taxpayer can register only one account with the BTP. Each Business Registration Number (BRN) can link up with one BTP Business Account only.
5.
Q:
How many BTP Administrators and BTP Authorized Users can there be under a BTP Business Account?
A:
Each BTP Business Account can have no more than five BTP Administrators while the number of BTP Authorized Users is unlimited.
6.
Q:
What are BTP Administrators and BTP Authorized Users? What is the difference between them?
A:
BTP Administrator is given right to manage the BTP Business Account and can access all online services available under BTP while BTP Authorized Users' right of access to the online services is assigned by the BTP Administrators.
7.
Q:
Will there be guiding screens on how to register for a BTP Business Account?
A:
You can refer to the online demo.
8.
Q:
What is BTP User Account?
A:
With a BTP User Account, you can access the online services available under BTP. You need to first register for your own dedicated BTP User Account and add the Business to the serving business list kept under your account profile, then has the Business appointed you as its BTP Administrator or BTP Authorized User. Access to the BTP Services shall not take effect until the BTP User Account registration is complete and you are appointed as a BTP Administrator or BTP Authorized User for the Business.
Before registering for your BTP User Account, you must possess an Individual Tax Portal (ITP) Account. Please note that the Username and Password of your BTP User Account must be different from those of your ITP Account which handles your own individual tax affairs. Before the launch of ITP, you must possess an account with the existing eTAX for authentication.
An ITP Account is also the eTAX Account. If you already have an eTAX Account, you do not need to open an ITP Account.
For more details on opening an eTAX Account, please visit the GovHK website at www.gov.hk/en/residents/taxes/etax/index.htm.
9.
Q:
What is Tax Representative Portal (TRP) User Account?
A:
With a TRP User Account, you can view the client´s tax information and access the online services available under TRP.
You need to first register for your own dedicated TRP User Account first and add the Service Agent you represented to the serving business list kept under your account profile, then has the Service Agent appointed you as its TRP Team Lead or TRP Team Member. Access to the TRP Services shall not take effect until the TRP User Account registration is complete and you are appointed as a TRP Team Lead or TRP Team Member for the Service Agent.
TRP User Account is also the BTP User Account. If the individual has already been a BTP User Account holder, he/she can directly log in TRP by BTP authentication means and need NOT do the registration.
10.
Q:
Will there be guiding screens on how to register for a BTP/TRP User Account?
A:
You can refer to the online demo.
11.
Q:
Can an Individual register for more than one User Account with the BTP or TRP?
A:
No, each person can register only one user account with the BTP or TRP.
12.
Q:
Can I change the Username of my BTP/TRP User Account?
A:
The BTP Username you choose cannot be changed afterward and will be used to appoint you as BTP Administrator or BTP Authorized User, please select your BTP Username carefully.
13.
Q:
Who can use the “Manage BTP Administrator / Authorized User” function?
A:
Only BTP Administrator of a registered BTP Business is given the right to use the “Manage BTP Administrator / Authorized User” function.
14.
Q:
How to add BTP Administrator to the BTP Business Account?
A:
If you are a BTP Administrator of a registered BTP Business, click “Manage BTP Business Account” on the Online Services Menu and then select “Manage BTP Administrator / Authorized User”. Click “Add BTP Administrator”. Enter the Username of the to-be-appointed BTP Administrator’s BTP User Account and click “Search”. Select the BTP Administrator’s designation from the drop-down list. Finally, click “Confirm” to proceed if the information entered is correct.
Please note that each BTP Business Account can have up to five BTP Administrators.
To enable the appointment, the BTP Administrator must first possess the BTP User Account and add the Business to the serving business list kept under his/her account profile.
15.
Q:
How to add BTP Authorized User to the BTP Business Account?
A:
If you are a BTP Administrator of a registered BTP Business, click “Manage BTP Business Account” on the Online Services Menu and then select “Manage BTP Administrator / Authorized User”. Click “Add BTP Authorized User”. Enter the BTP Username of the to-be-appointed BTP Authorized User and click “Search”. Select the BTP Authorized User’s designation from the drop-down list. Then check the box(es) under Appointed Services to grant the right of access to the online service(s) to the BTP Authorized User. Finally, click “Confirm” to proceed if the information entered is correct.
Please note that to enable the appointment, the BTP Authorized User must first possess the BTP User Account and add the Business to the serving business list kept under his/her account profile.
16.
Q:
How to remove BTP Administrator / BTP Authorized User from the BTP Business Account?
A:
Only BTP Administrator of a registered BTP Business can remove BTP Administrator / BTP Authorized User from the BTP Business Account. Click “Manage BTP Business Account” on the Online Services Menu and then select “Manage BTP Administrator / Authorized User”. Click a particular BTP Administrator or BTP Authorized User record, and you will be redirected to another page to see the user details and service(s) appointed by the Business to that User. Then click “Remove” to remove any existing BTP Administrator or BTP Authorized User.
17.
Q:
Will there be guiding screens on how to manage BTP Administrator / Authorized User?
A:
You can refer to the online demo.
18.
Q:
Who is Service Agent?
A:
Service Agent means a Tax Representative, Company Secretary, and/or Service Provider appointed under the BTP.
19.
Q:
Who can appoint the Service Agent?
A:
Only BTP Administrator of a registered BTP Business can appoint the Service Agents to act for or on the Business’s behalf using the Tax Representative Portal (TRP) services.
20.
Q:
What kind of services can a registered BTP Business assign to its Service Agent(s)?
A:
A registered BTP Business can appoint:
- | a Tax Representative to handle Profits Tax Matters and/or Certificate of Resident Status; |
- | a Service Provider to handle Filing of Profits Tax Return; or |
- | a Company Secretary to handle Business Registration Matters and/or Certificate of Resident Status. |
21.
Q:
How to appoint Service Agent under BTP?
A:
If you are a BTP Administrator of a registered BTP Business, click “Manage BTP Business Account” on the Online Services Menu and then select “Manage Service Agent”. Click “Add Service Agent” to add new Service Agent(s). BTP Business can appoint only one Service Agent for each appointed services. Enter BRN and Branch Number (optional) of Service Agent and click “Search”. Then check the box(es) under Appointed Role(s) & Service(s) to grant the right of access to the online service(s) to that Service Agent (who is authorized to act on behalf of the BTP Business in relation to that service matter). Finally, click “Confirm” to proceed if the information entered is correct.
Please note that if a Tax Representative is being appointed to handle Profits Tax Matters under BTP, the appointment record will be updated to the IRD database.
22.
Q:
How to remove Service Agent under BTP?
A:
Only BTP Administrator of a registered BTP Business can remove Service Agent. Click “Manage BTP Business Account” on the Online Services Menu and then select “Manage Service Agent”. Click a particular Service Agent record, and you will be redirected to another page to see the Service Agent details and service(s) appointed by the Business to that Service Agent. Then click “Remove” to delete the Service Agent record.
Please note that if a Tax Representative is being removed from handling the Profits Tax Matters, the removal record will be updated to the IRD database.
23.
Q:
Will there be guiding screens on how to manage Service Agent?
A:
You can refer to the online demo.
24.
Q:
What is Tax Representative Portal?
A:
The Tax Representative Portal (TRP) is an electronic platform provided by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) to assist the Service Agent to fulfill their clients’ tax-related obligations under applicable laws, comprising the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112), Stamp Duty Ordinance (Cap. 117), Tax Reserve Certificates Ordinance (Cap. 289), and Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310) (as applicable).
The TRP is part of the eTAX System, which is the electronic platform provided by the IRD that integrates online services for both individual and business taxpayers. The eTAX System allows users to access and manage their clients’ tax-related matters electronically through the Government’s GovHK system.
25.
Q:
I am a Service Agent. How can I access and manage my clients’ tax-related matters electronically through TRP?
A:
You have to registered for a TRP Business Account. Before registering for a TRP Business Account, the Service Agent (including Tax Representative / Service Provider / Company Secretary) must have a registered Business Tax Portal (BTP) Business Account with BTP Administrator(s) appointed. With a TRP Business Account, a Service Agent can view his/her client´s tax information and access online services available through TRP anytime and anywhere. It´s easy, convenient and environmental friendly.
26.
Q:
Who can perform the business account registration with the TRP?
A:
Only the appointed BTP Administrator of the Service Agent can register for the TRP Business Account under which he/she can set up TRP Team(s), appoint TRP Team Lead(s) and define the scope of services for each TRP Team.
27.
Q:
Can a Service Agent register for more than one account with the TRP?
A:
No. A Service Agent can register only one account with the TRP. Each Business Registration Number can link up with one TRP Business Account only.
28.
Q:
Will there be guiding screens on how to register for a TRP Business Account?
A:
You can refer to the online demo.
29.
Q:
What is the role of a BTP Administrator as far as TRP Team management is concerned?
A:
BTP Administrator is authorized to set up TRP Teams, add or remove members (Team Member) of the TRP Teams and add or remove clients of the registered Service Agent.
30.
Q:
What is the role of a Team Lead?
A:
The Team Lead is authorized to add or remove Team Members of their respective TRP Team and add or remove clients of the registered Service Agent.
31.
Q:
I am a Team Lead. Can I set up my own TRP Team?
A:
Only the BTP Administrator(s) can set up TRP Team(s) under the TRP Business Account, appoint the Team Lead of each team, and define the scope of services to be rendered by each TRP Team.
32.
Q:
Can a TRP Team consist of more than one Team Lead?
A:
Each TRP Team can have only one Team Lead. However, the same individual may serve as the Team Lead for multiple TRP Teams.
33.
Q:
Can a Team Lead and/or a Team Member be appointed to more than one TRP Team?
A:
Same Team Lead may serve as the Team Lead for multiple TRP Teams. Same Team Member may also serve as the Team Member for multiple TRP Teams.
34.
Q:
How to add Team Member to a TRP Team?
A:
If you are a BTP Administrator of a registered TRP Business, click "Manage TRP Teams" on TRP welcome page to get start. You will be redirected to BTP for authentication. Select the designated TRP Team from the list if more than one TRP Team had been created. Click "Manage Team Members" and then "Add New Team Member". Follow the screen to provide the Username of the new Team Member and click "Check". Finally, click "Confirm" if the Team Member’s details are correct.
If you are a Team Lead, login to your TRP User Account to get start. Click "Manage Team Members" at the upper part of the page. Select the designated TRP Team from the list if you manage more than one TRP Team. Click "Add New Team Member". Follow the screen to provide the Username of the new Team Member and click "Check". Finally, click "Confirm" if the Team Member’s details are correct.
Please note that to enable the appointment, the TRP Team Member must first possess the TRP User Account and provide the serving Business under his/her TRP User Account Profile.
35.
Q:
How to remove Team Lead from a TRP Team?
A:
Only a BTP Administrator of a registered TRP Business can remove Team Lead from a TRP Team. Click "Manage TRP Teams" on TRP welcome page to get start. You will be redirected to BTP for authentication. Select the designated TRP Team from the list if more than one TRP Team had been created. Click "Edit Team Details" and then select the radio button "Replace Team Lead". Follow the screen to provide the Username of the new Team Lead and click "Check". Finally, click "Confirm" if the Team Lead’s details are correct.
Please note that to enable the appointment, the TRP Team Lead must first possess the TRP User Account and provide the serving Business under his/her TRP User Account Profile.
36.
Q:
How to remove Team Member from a TRP Team?
A:
If you are a BTP Administrator of a registered TRP Business, click "Manage TRP Teams" on TRP welcome page to get start. You will be redirected to BTP for authentication. Select the designated TRP Team from the list if more than one TRP Team had been created. Click "Manage Team Members" and then click "Remove" next to the Team Member to be removed. A pop up confirmation box will be prompted. You can click "Confirm" to proceed.
If you are a Team Lead, login to your TRP User Account to get start. Click "Manage Team Members" at the upper part of the page. Select the designated TRP Team from the list if you manage more than one TRP Team. Click "Remove" next to the Team Member to be removed. A pop up confirmation box will be prompted. You can click "Confirm" to proceed.
37.
Q:
Will there be guiding screens on how to manage TRP Team?
A:
You can refer to the online demo.
38.
Q:
How to add client to the registered TRP Business Account?
A:
If you are a BTP Administrator of a registered TRP Business, click "Manage TRP Teams" on TRP welcome page to get start. You will be redirected to BTP for authentication. Select the designated TRP Team from the list if more than one TRP Team had been created. Click "Engage Client" to proceed. Please note that at least one TRP Team is to be created to enable the client engagement.
If you are a TRP Team Lead, login to your TRP User Account to get start. Click "Manage Clients" at the upper part of the page then click "Engage Client" to proceed.
To engage client(s), you can choose either by Bulk Upload Function via CSV file or by Online Input. Your client(s) can appoint you as Service Agent for the relevant tax matters in your client’s Individual Tax Portal (ITP) or Business Tax Portal (BTP); or inform IRD of the appointment as tax representative.
39.
Q:
What format should data file be prepared for bulk upload for client engagement?
A:
For Bulk Upload Function, you have to prepare a valid file in common separated value format (".csv") with the information of:
• | Client Identification Number – such as your client’s Business Registration Number or Hong Kong Identify Card Number. |
• | Team Name – the designated TRP Team. |
Please note that you can upload records for up to 5,000 clients each time.
40.
Q:
Is there a limit for the data file to be prepared for bulk upload for client engagement?
A:
You can upload records for up to 5,000 clients each time.
41.
Q:
Can the same client be engaged by more than one TRP Team?
A:
For the same client, it can be engaged by only one TRP Team of the TRP business for an appointed service. Each appointed service of the same client can only be provided by one TRP Team. Other TRP Team can be engaged for other appointed service(s). For example, Team A provides service for Profits Tax Matters while Team B provides service for Business Registration Matters.
42.
Q:
How to remove client from the TRP Team?
A:
If you are a BTP Administrator of a registered TRP Business, click "Manage TRP Teams" on TRP welcome page to get start. You will be redirected to BTP for authentication. Select the designated TRP Team from the list if more than one TRP Team had been created. Choose the client to be removed from the client list and then click "Remove Client from the Team’. A pop up confirmation box will be prompted. You can click "Yes" to proceed.
If you are a TRP Team Lead, login to your TRP User Account to get start. Click "Manage Clients" at the upper part of the page. Select the designated TRP Team from the list if you manage more than one TRP Team. Choose the client to be removed from the client list and then click "Remove Client from the Team’. A pop up confirmation box will be prompted. You can click "Yes" to proceed.
43.
Q:
How to disengage client from the TRP Business?
A:
If you are a BTP Administrator of a registered TRP Business, click "Manage TRP Teams" on TRP welcome page to get start. You will be redirected to BTP for authentication. Select the designated TRP Team from the list if more than one TRP Team had been created. Choose the client to be removed from the client list and then click "Disengagement of Client". A pop up selection box will be prompted for you to select the service(s) to be terminated. Click "Confirm" after input. A confirmation pop up box will be prompted, you can click "Yes" to proceed.
If you are a TRP Team Lead, login to your TRP User Account to get start. Click "Manage Clients" at the upper part of the page. Select the designated TRP Team from the list if you manage more than one TRP Team. Choose the client to be removed from the client list and then click "Disengagement of Client". A pop up will be prompted for you to select the service(s) to be terminated. Click "Confirm" after input. A confirmation pop up box will be prompted, you can click "Yes" to proceed.
You are reminded that once the disengagement has been confirmed, you cannot engage this client again, unless the client has re-appointed you as service agent.
44.
Q:
Will there be guiding screens on how to manage TRP Client?
A:
You can refer to the online demo.