I left Hong Kong a year ago. Recently, I found out from my former flatmate that she recieved a letter stating that I owe Inland revenue some taxes. I left Hong kong with the understanding everything was settled. My former employer didn't settle the balance and Im pissed off ; (
Now, I'm flying into HOng kong for a few days next week.
My question is. Will I be stopped in the immigration? Will I be denied entry? Do I pay when I enter?
If upon leaving I haven't settled this balance. Will I be Stopped in immigration upon leaving Hong Kong?
Thanks for your advice.
Please support our advertisers:
If you owe taxes, then you must pay. It's not your employer's duty to do so. As you know, taxes are not pre-paid by you (no deductions from month cheque).
I would think though that the Immigration Dept and Inland Revenue are two different departments of the government that don't share data between each other. You won't get billed until you contact IRD personally. That's my personal experience (some 10 years past. I paid my taxes plus penalties, can't remember how much.). I don't know if things have changed.
When you're back in Hong Kong make it a point to pay your taxes then you've got nothing to worry about. There was a news item a few months back that the Revenue Department have a huge collectible from expats who haven't paid their taxes!
Please support our advertisers:
Thank you punter.
Upon ending my contract with my former employer we had an agreement that they will handle the final tax balance
Please support our advertisers:
The normal practice is for employers to hold back the last month of salary until all taxes are paid up and they have had notification form IR that this is the case and they can release the salary.
While IR and IMMD have different systems there was a recent report in the local papers about a guy who had returned for a holiday and was held in HK for non payment of taxes. He was released but not able to leave HK until taxes were paid. So although rare it can happen.
Please support our advertisers:
It makes sense for the government to have such "checking" between IRD and ID. To the OP, just be ready to pay. Or if you've got contacts with your former employer, do talk to them and inform them you're coming and are going to settle your case with IRD.
Please support our advertisers:
yep, thats what happened to a mate of mine, thought he'd be smart, didn't pay, then came for a business meeting, was laughing how nobody said anything when he came through imigration, but then on departure..... was told sorry, no can leave, here's your bill. yikes.
Please support our advertisers:
Does anyone no the current status of what happens if you leave the country without setling your taxes?
Please support our advertisers:
It is not unknown for someone with an outstanding tax bill to be stopped at the airport. Better have a think about this and to try to come up with a plan B in case they stop you. Maybe a copy of the written agreement with your former employer where they agreed to pay your taxes?
Long term you or your former employer would be better off settling this matter - I know that I would find it very distracting when planning travel...
Please support our advertisers:
You must be logged in to be able to reply.
Login now
Copy Link
Facebook
Gmail
Mail