PRESS RELEASE

Reminder message to eTAX account holders for tax payment

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With the approach of the tax payment season, eTAX account holders will receive an electronic reminder around one week before the due date reminding them to pay on time.

"All account holders who have provided us with their personal e-mail address and opted to receive e-mail will receive our email advising them to read the reminder in their message box," a spokesman for the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) said today (December 9).

Introduced in January this year, eTAX offers taxpayers easy, secure and environment-friendly means to comply with the tax law.

Describing eTAX as one’s tax secretary, the spokesman said that taxpayers could view their account profile, check the status of tax return, assessment and payment as well as notify changes in personal and business particulars through their eTAX account. They could also enjoy online service for applying for holdover of provisional tax, stamping of property document, business registration and payment.

To reduce the use of paper, IRD will stop issuing paper receipts for electronic or postal payments of tax (except for Profits Tax for corporations and partnership businesses, and Property Tax for jointly owned properties) from January 1, 2009. Instead, IRD will issue electronic receipts to eTAX Account Holders. They may also view their tax payment position via eTAX anytime.

"To gain access to these services, a taxpayer has to open an eTAX account by logging in eTAX at www.gov.hk/etax with his Taxpayer Identification Number and Password that he has registered with IRD, or by using his digital certificate issued by a recognised certification authority," the spokesman said.

"If a taxpayer does not have a password or has forgotten it, he can apply for a new one online under eTAX. Taxpayers can choose their own TIN and Password when they open their eTAX Account," he said.

Ends/Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Issued at HKT 11:00

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