[HKNewBi]

Yes, might seem an odd question but a friend of mine has put this to me. She has been teaching english on a contract basis for a number of agencies in HK. They pay her salary gross.

I have told her that I assume that you have to register with the revenue and they would send a self assessment form at the end of the tax year but if there is anything else required please let me know.

[discobay]

Actually it is the responsibility of the employer to declare all income paid to the IRD. They may have already done so. Your friend needs to decide whether they want to wait for the tax assessment or contact the IRD.

[PDLM]

But if she has never paid HK tax before then I wonder what her Immigration status is. It sounds to me like she may be working illegally, which can make the whole thing a lot messier.

[discobay]

I didn't want to pry into the whole immigration thing but you're right. Nevertheless, it is her decision and her risk to take if she decides not to inform the tax department.

[HKNewBi]

If she was working illegally she would not want to contact the authorities to declare income unless she had eaten one too many burgers back in blighty in the late 80's.

Schooled in Hong Kong, uni in britain, back to HK for first employment. Hence ID card holder but no income tax record.

The contracts these agencies hand out do so on a contract basis - ie she had a contract for the 6 weeks over the summer. They say in them that they have no responsibility for tax - ie sole trader status I guess.

[PDLM]

Oh, OK. In that case just email: enquiry@ird.gov.hk and ask their advice. They will probably just send her a standard tax return. But do it soon because we are well past the end of the tax year.

[MotoHK]

As far as "paying" would imagine the forms of negotiable instruments (check, money order, cash, etc.) are acceptable.

[HKNewBi]

Originally Posted by PDLM

Oh, OK. In that case just email: enquiry@ird.gov.hk and ask their advice. They will probably just send her a standard tax return. But do it soon because we are well past the end of the tax year.

Thanks PDLM, I'll drop them a line. I suppose the question is, how do you get on the IR 'radar' so to speak. Given they haven't sent her returns to fill in the past.

Doesn't the tax year here run April - April? I would have thought income earned this summer would still be in this tax year and therefore don't need to make a return until next April, no? I suppose I can put this to them in the email.

Thanks again.

[HKNewBi]

Originally Posted by MotoHK

As far as "paying" would imagine the forms of negotiable instruments (check, money order, cash, etc.) are acceptable.

Hi MotoHK

How do you know this? Did you email them or is this from first hand experience?

Thanks

[KnowItAll]

He "imagines" ...