⚠ Critical Deadlines & Common Mistakes — Don't Miss These
BIR60 deadline is 2 May each year. Missing it triggers a penalty of up to HK,000 and possible prosecution under s.80(2) of the IRO. Personal Assessment election must be claimed on BIR60 annually — it is NOT automatic. Many salaried employees earning under the standard rate threshold miss this election and overpay by HK,000–HK,000 per year.
Common Challenges
Missing the Personal Assessment Election
Personal Assessment (s.41 IRO) can cap your effective tax rate at 15% and consolidate all income. Most employees earning HK0K+ should elect this every year but don't know it exists.
⚠ Risk: HK,000–HK,000 overpaid per year
Unclaimed Home Loan Interest
Under s.26E, you can deduct mortgage interest up to HK0,000/year for up to 20 assessment years. Many taxpayers fail to claim all years or submit wrong documentation.
⚠ Risk: Up to HK,000 per year in lost relief
Not Maximising TVC Deductions
Tax-deductible Voluntary Contributions to MPF allow an additional HK,000/year deduction on top of mandatory contributions. Few employees proactively structure this allowance.
⚠ Risk: HK,500–HK,200 per year unclaimed
Self-Education Expenses Overlooked
Under s.26C, courses, professional exams, and continuing education expenses up to HK0,000/year are deductible. Many professionals either miss this or claim ineligible courses.
⚠ Risk: HK,000–HK,000 per year unclaimed
Who Is This For?
Banking & finance professionals
Complex income from base salary, bonuses, stock awards, and carried interest. We correctly classify each component to minimise assessable income.
Expats & cross-border employees
Arrival/departure clearance, time-apportionment claims for days worked outside HK, and treaty relief under Hong Kong's DTAs.
Medical, legal & accounting professionals
Self-education deductions for CPD requirements, professional subscriptions, and exam fees. We ensure every professional expense is correctly claimed.
Senior executives & directors
Benefits-in-kind (housing, car, club memberships), share options, and equity awards require precise IRD valuation.
Dual-income couples
Married couples often benefit from filing separately vs jointly depending on income levels. We model both scenarios and elect the most favourable option.
What We Do
Full Deduction Audit
We systematically review all 7 IRD-recognised deduction categories: MPF, home loan interest, TVC, self-education, charitable donations, elderly care, and annuity premiums.
Up to 7 categories reviewed per client
Personal Assessment Election
We calculate whether electing Personal Assessment under s.41 of the IRO reduces your overall tax burden — often saving HK,000–HK,000 annually.
Modelled against standard assessment every year
BIR60 Preparation & Filing
Accurate, IRD-compliant preparation and submission of your annual salaries tax return with all supplementary forms and supporting schedules.
Filed within 5 working days of receiving documents
Provisional Tax Holdover
If your income decreased, we prepare and submit a s.63 holdover application within the 28-day window to reduce provisional salaries tax.
Saves HK,000–HK0,000 in premature payments
Expat & Departure Clearance
We prepare IR56G/IR56M, compute the final assessment, and liaise with the IRD to obtain clearance for employees leaving Hong Kong.
Critical for any employee leaving HK permanently
How It Works
Initial Consultation & Document Checklist
Day 1 — FreeWe schedule a 30-minute call to understand your employment situation, income sources, and potential deductions. You receive a personalised document checklist.
Document Collection & Income Review
Days 2–3You upload documents to our secure client portal. Our tax consultant performs a comprehensive income review verifying all employment income and benefits-in-kind.
Tax Optimisation Modelling
Days 3–4We model your tax position under both standard salaries tax assessment and Personal Assessment. For married clients, we also model joint vs. separate assessment scenarios.
BIR60 Filing & IRD Submission
Day 5We submit your return electronically as your authorised IRD representative, well before the deadline. If a provisional tax holdover is warranted, we submit the s.63 application simultaneously.
Case Studies
Mid-Level Banker, Wanchai — 3 Years Self-Filed
- •Annual income HK.2M (salary + discretionary bonus)
- •Unclaimed home loan interest of HK,000/year for 3 years
- •Personal Assessment election reduced effective rate from 17% to 15%
“I had no idea I was entitled to any of this. The refund cheque was the best surprise I've had all year.”
European Executive Leaving HK — Departure Clearance
- •European CFO, total compensation HK.8M
- •Housing benefit incorrectly valued by IRD at market rent instead of s.9(2) formula
- •Time-apportionment applied for non-HK workdays
“Without TAX.hk, I would have missed my flight and paid HK0,000 I didn't owe.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the BIR60 filing deadline?
The standard deadline for filing your BIR60 is 2 May each year. Missing it triggers a penalty of up to HK,000 and possible prosecution under s.80(2) of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. Tax representatives can apply for bulk filing extensions. We proactively manage all client deadlines.
What is Personal Assessment and should I elect it?
Personal Assessment (s.41 IRO) consolidates all your income sources into a single assessment, taxed at progressive rates with total tax capped at 15% of total income. It must be elected annually on BIR60 — it is never automatic. Most employees earning HK0K+ benefit from this election. You can retroactively elect for up to 6 prior years.
Can I deduct my home mortgage interest?
Yes. Under s.26E IRO, you can deduct mortgage interest up to HK0,000 per year for up to 20 assessment years on your principal residence. Many taxpayers fail to claim all eligible years. We ensure this deduction is correctly claimed and documented.
What is provisional salaries tax and can I reduce it?
Provisional salaries tax is approximately 75% of your prior year's final liability. If your income fell, you changed employer, or you left HK, you may be entitled to a holdover under s.63 IRO — but must apply within 28 days of the demand note date. Missing this window means paying the full amount.
Can I reclaim overpaid tax from prior years?
Yes. Under the IRO, you can file amended assessments or retroactive Personal Assessment elections for up to 6 years prior. Common retroactive claims include Personal Assessment elections not previously made, home loan interest deductions, and self-education expenses. The IRD refunds include compound interest at 1% per annum.
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