PRESS RELEASE

Inland Revenue Department exceeds performance targets

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The Inland Revenue Department achieved the targets for most of its performance pledges and exceeded some of the targets in 2008-09, the Acting Commissioner of Inland Revenue, Mr Chu Yam-yuen, said today (July 3).

Expressing his gratitude to taxpayers, Mr Chu said their support and encouragement had always been a key driver behind the department's pursuit of continuous improvement to services.

He attributed the department's achievements to his team of staff who worked with perseverance and resilience to serve the public with best efforts and devotion.

Mr Chu was also pleased to note the growing popularity of the department's e-services.

"Our e-stamping service attracts a large number of users. Currently, for e-stamping of assignments, sale and purchase agreements and lease agreements through GovHK, the department pledges to issue stamp certificates instantly where payment of stamp duty is made by on-line mode, or within two working days if payment is made off-line," Mr Chu said.

"With computer enhancement, automation and improvement of work procedures, we are able to shorten the time for issuing tax refunds arising from revision of assessment from 21 working days to 12 working days."

In 2008, the department conducted a comprehensive review of its performance pledges, resulting in the introduction of three new pledges from April this year. The new pledges cover document stamping through GovHK, issuing electronic receipts to eTAX account holders for tax payments made by electronic means and complaints handling.

Mr Chu also thanked members of the Inland Revenue Department Users' Committee, an independent body comprising legal and tax practitioners, academics and other professionals, for the contributions they made in monitoring the department's performance against its pledges and in enhancing its service standards.

At a presentation ceremony for the 15th Outstanding Customer Service Awards today, members of the users' committee presented prizes to 37 individual and group winners who had secured the highest number of votes from the public.

"A taxpayer's vote represents his support for the department's service and recognition of the quality service of the frontline staff, which provides added impetus for the department to continually improve and better serve the community," Mr Chu said.

The department's 2009-10 Performance Pledge and 2008-09 Annual Report on Performance Pledge are available on its website at (www.ird.gov.hk). Copies are also available for collection on the ground and first floors of the Revenue Tower, and the Public Enquiry Service Centres of District Offices.

Ends/Friday, July 3, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:30

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