[dylonchua]

HI there,

Ok, I finally got my work permit ,
but I actually haven't sign any employment contract with my employer,
that's because immigration doesn't require that and my employer also prefer to sign contract with me after i got my work permit.

but of course we haved agreed the salary range that i am going to get verbally.

and soon we are going to sign employment contract.
and now I not really sure what kind of sutff i have to be more careful as a foreigner to protect my interest here.

and I have no IDea about the Tax thingy. I need someone to answer my question below even if my question sound stupid, because I really don't know. thanks in advance.


1) how much tax i need to pay? how to pay? do I need to submit my info to some government department so that they will collect tax from me?

2) other that tax...is it my employer need to help me to pay some sort of retirement fund base on my salary?i heard that is something they called EPF???

3) pls give me some advise on what kind of issue i have to be more careful when signing the employment contract.

I am just affraid I might miss something which I don't know since every country has different standard.


anyone here pls give me some advise.thanks

[freeier]

tax varies. different income level pays different taxes.
i think the first 100k hkd is tax free, then next 30k subject to like 5% cascading upwards and so on. so you'd have to check which scale you are in.

generally employer shld register your status with the tax authority. employer will also submit the amount they pay u to the tax ppl. at the right time, the tax ppl will ask for your written input via a form (i.e. duplication, but u get a chance to claim for wife, etc if u have any).

hk uses mpf. its 5% of your salary paid by the employer subject to a cap of 1000 hkd per month.

look at your leaves, how many days, negotiate that. your medical expenses as well. they might want to help u save some tax by lumping your rental into your pay under the rental scheme. etc...

[reb]

Hi Dylonchua,
First of all, your employer can actually sign a contract with you beforehand, but just adding a clause "subject your successful application of work permit".......I believe your employer must be a big one, to make Immigration to believe what's going on in your case.
Anyway, for the tax issues:
1. Everything you need about tax matters: http://www.ird.gov.hk/eng/tax/ind.htm
2. Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF-in most cases) or approved pension scheme must be provided by all HK employers. For MPF, it's withdrawn and paid by your employer directly from your salary. Your employer and yourself should each contribute 5% of your salary on a monthly basis, capped at HKD1k. More info: http://www.mpfahk.org/eindex.asp
3. Many things to consider in fact. But if you are enjoying some allowances (e.g. housing, sign-in bonus etc) from your employer, do ask the HR for more tax implications from those and would any of such tax be borne by the co.
Hope these help and good luck

[sunniefaith]

freeier, is my special or housing allowance taxable?

[PDLM]

If Housing allowances are defined and managed properly then they can attract lower tax. Details here: http://www.ird.gov.hk/eng/pdf/pam44e.pdf

[sunniefaith]

Originally Posted by PDLM

If Housing allowances are defined and managed properly then they can attract lower tax. Details here: http://www.ird.gov.hk/eng/pdf/pam44e.pdf

Thanks PDLM! Anyway, Freeier took some time last night to explain to me too.

[PDLM]

Originally Posted by sunniefaith

Anyway, Freeier took some time last night to explain to me too.

That must have been a fun date!

[freeier]

i wldn't think a date talking about taxation is fun.. if that's what pdlm's interpretation of fun is then obviously he is an acocuntant! haha

[PDLM]

Er, you obviously come from an environment that doesn't do sarcasm...

[freeier]

its just an attempt to turn the table... anyway sunniefaith is unfortunately still in sg...