PRESS RELEASE

(Source : Government Information Centre)

Individual Tax Returns for 2004/05 issued

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The Commissioner of Inland Revenue, Mrs Alice Lau, today (May 3) spoke on matters relating to completion of Individual Tax Return for 2004/05 and the enhanced features of e-filing and announced the revenue collection in 2004/05.

A guide for completion is enclosed with the tax return. Mrs Lau reminded taxpayers to read and follow the guide carefully in completing their tax returns. All individual tax returns should be submitted within one month (on or before June 3, 2005) or, for sole proprietors of unincorporated businesses, within three months (on or before August 3, 2005).

"To enable taxpayers to enjoy the two new allowances proposed in the 2005 Budget for dependent parents or grandparents aged 55 to 59, a special message is printed on the top right-hand corner of the return. Taxpayers are reminded to give details of dependent parents or grandparents who will have reached 55 but be under 60 on March 31, 2006 in Part 8.4 of the return. Upon enactment of the law, their claims will be dealt with in computing the 2005/06 provisional tax liabilities," Mrs Lau said.

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) issued 1.77 million individual tax returns today. To answer taxpayers' enquiries, the IRD will man an extra hotline and extend the service hours of its enquiry hotlines. From today till May 31, enquiries can be made at 187 8022 or 187 8222 from 8.30am to 7pm from Mondays to Fridays and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays.

"E-Seminars" are also provided on the IRD website for individual taxpayers. Enquiries can be raised electronically at the "Questions and Answers" column on the website and replies will be made on a regular basis.

On e-filing, the IRD has upgraded the system performance, redesigned the screen flow and introduced over 40 new functions/improvements this year after taking into account feedback from more than 20,000 users. Essential features of Internet filing this year include "Pre-filling of data", "Estimation of salaries tax payable", "Saving of data" and "Viewing and printing".

"With the improvements made this year, I sincerely hope all of you will give e-filing a try. You simply need an e-certificate or an e-tax password. Just apply online or through our hotline 183 2033 for an e-tax password and enjoy the enhanced service," Mrs Lau said.

To encourage e-filing, the department will grant a two-week extension to taxpayers who file their individual tax returns electronically (the deadline for e-filers will be extended to June 17, 2005).

On revenue collection, Mrs Lau said that a total of $127.7 billion had been collected during 2004/05, an increase of some $21.5 billion over last year. Please see the detailed figures below.

2004/05 revenue collection (provisional figures)

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Ends/Tuesday, May 3, 2005

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