News Archives (started from April 2015)

Newly published Advance Ruling Cases  

(No. 55, 56 and 57)

Application form for Certificate of Hong Kong Resident Status under the Comprehensive Arrangement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation between the Mainland and Hong Kong will be revised with effect from 1 November 2015  

With effect from 1 November 2015, the administrative measures regarding the issue of referral letter entitled《關於請香港特別行政區稅務主管當局出具居民証明的函》by the Mainland tax authorities will be terminated upon issue of the Public Notice [2015] No. 60 by the State Administration of Taxation.  In this connection, any person applying for a certificate of Hong Kong resident status under the Comprehensive Arrangement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation between the Mainland and Hong Kong, on or after 1 November 2015, has to complete either one of the following revised forms and is not required to submit a referral letter with the application:

• 
  IR1313A (10/2015) – for an applicant being a company, partnership, trust or body of person
• 
  IR1314A (10/2015) – for an applicant being an individual

The revised forms can be downloaded here.

The Chinese version of the following Stamp Office Interpretation and Practice Notes has been issued:  

(1) The Stamp Office Interpretation and Practice Notes No. 1 (Revised) – Stamping of Agreements for Sale and Purchase of Immovable Property
(2) The Stamp Office Interpretation and Practice Notes No. 5 (Revised) – Special Stamp Duty
(3) The Stamp Office Interpretation and Practice Notes No. 7 – Buyer’s Stamp Duty 
(4) The Stamp Office Interpretation and Practice Notes No. 8 – Ad Valorem Stamp Duty (“SOIPN 8”) 
Besides, the English version of SOIPN 8 has also been amended as follows to rectify the typos –
(1) The second paragraph of Scenario 28 (page 33) - to amend “Mr B” to “Ms B” and “him” to “her”.
(2) Paragraphs 70 and 71 – to amend “residential property” to “immovable property”

Performance Pledge Annual Report 2014/15

The Inland Revenue Department has achieved all the targets, and exceeded many, in its performance pledges in 2014/15. The Performance Pledge Annual Report 2014/15 has been uploaded to the Department’s website.