PRESS RELEASE

IRD issues tax returns for 2008-09

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The Inland Revenue Department will today (April 1) issue about 160,000 profits tax returns, 110,000 property tax returns and 320,000 employer's returns for the year 2008-09.

About 2.08 million tax returns for individuals will be issued on May 4.

In this year's Budget, the Financial Secretary proposed a one-off reduction of 50% of salaries tax and tax under personal assessment for 2008-09, subject to a ceiling of $6,000.

"Upon enactment of the relevant legislation, individuals having rental income or business profits, if eligible, can enjoy the reduction by electing personal assessment. They can make the choice when completing their 2008-09 tax returns. The department will check in each case whether the personal assessment election will reduce the amount of tax payable, and assess each taxpayer in the way most advantageous to him," a spokesman for the department said.

Taxpayers can file property tax returns for jointly owned properties through their eTAX Account. Internet filing has been enhanced by a new function enabling the users to have their e-filed property tax return data saved in their personal computers.

Describing eTAX as one's tax secretary, the spokesman said that taxpayers could attend to their tax business around the clock including return filing, receipt of notices of assessment, tax payment, update of personal particulars and checking of tax position through their eTAX Account.

To gain access to this easy, secure and environment-friendly service, a taxpayer has to open an eTAX Account by logging in eTAX at www.gov.hk/etax with his Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and Password that he has registered with the department, or by using his digital certificate issued by a recognised certification authority.

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

Taxpayers can visit the department website at www.ird.gov.hk for common questions and answers on how to complete the returns. The spokesman also reminded taxpayers to file their correct tax returns on time.

Ends/Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Issued at HKT 12:00

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