I have to leave HK and sell my flat. I've made a profit on the property. Is there any capital gains tax in HK or other charges I should be aware of on the sale apart from the negotiable 1% agent fee?
Also then what is the best way to get that cash to the US?
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tpol
16 yrs ago
Are you american? Are you subjected to world wide tax?
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The best way to get it to the US is bank transfer, international bank check or even Western Union. Depends on the fees at either end.
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You just pay your agent and your solicitor. There's no gains tax. The buyer pays stamp duty.
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@tpol - no I am not America - I am a Brit, but living in US. Any consequences tax wise?
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It depends. If you have a green card you need to pay federal income tax on any income world wide. If you do not have a green card then nothing.
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hmm
16 yrs ago
why not just keep the money offshore? if you are going to use it in the U.S. then fine, I think the previous advice stands, but otherwise it may be beneficial to you to leave it elsewhere.
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hmm - can you give me more reasons why i should leave it offshore rather than bringing into the US? I am not a green card holder and don't think i need to declare it to the uk tax authorities.
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If you don't have a green card holder and don't need in the US you should leave it in HK. The tax situation here is far better.
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Not sure the tax position in HK is particularly better for a Brit residing outside of the UK. The UK doesn't tax non residents on worldwide wealth (other than inheritance tax, I believe) so it boils down to the tax position in the country where you reside. If the US doesn't tax Chinacrisis on capital brought in to the US and on investment income/capital gains in the US then it would seem to be as tax efficient as HK. HK currently gives 100% protection on bank deposits but bugger all interest payments on deposits. The US banks might provide better returns on bank deposits (or any offshore bank eg in Jersey/Isle of Man). Anglo Irish in Isle of Man is giving pretty good returns on GBP/USD/EUR deposits and comes with the 100% Irish Govt g'tee on deposits (perhaps not AAA all the same).
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Suspect you could have real issues to consider and should get professional help, especially as some of the comments could be misinformed/wrong and given you have no idea how you are taxed in the jurisdiction you live in (US), sorry. For example, are you a US resident subject to worldwide tax (if you are based in US)? Also, shifting money to another jurisdiction could have a massive impact if you die sooner than later and the type of investments. 50% inheritance/death/estate tax not uncommon. So a few extra pennies now in exchange for 50% of the lot in the future. And aren't US people are up for losing more than 100% of their money if not reported in prior years, and the prospect of jail.
And in HK - selling your home/rental property or just flipping a property? The latter is taxed I hear.
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Agreed with spaceren. Get a pro to advise you. The Henley Group is a good example of a firm that can advise on investments and retirement if you have assets in several countries.
"And aren't US people are up for losing more than 100% of their money if not reported in prior years, and the prospect of jail."
Yes, but the OP is neither a citizen nor a permanent resident.
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IRS guidance on who is a tax resident:
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/international/article/0,,id=129390,00.html
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