Leaving Hong Kong without paying taxes / detailed by Immigration

[ghost_rider]

OK. So I'm a US citizen that worked in HK about 5 years ago. When I left it was very chaotic (family issues) and I left very hastily.

Fast forward to today and I am back in HK briefly for a potential business venture, and as I tried to leave the airport today, Immigration flagged my Passport as having been held up by the Inland Revenue Service. I'm not sure how much the amount is for since it is closed now.

Its Sat today and have had to cancel my flight plans and am stuck until I can go to speak with them on Monday morning to sort this mess out.

My questions are twofold:

1) What legal recourse do I have (if any) to get out of this situation? They claim that there is a "court injunction" on my status holding up my departure. Is this airtight? Do I have any legal recourse? I am fully paid on my US taxes btw if that helps.

2) Are tax settlements negotiable? And if so, how much and what is the best approach?

Any insight, help, guidance would be extremely helpful.

[JAherbert]

1) If you left without paying your taxes, duh - no. And obviously a flight risk

2) Tax is not negotiable for individuals, very doubtful any leeway would be allowed since you obviously didn't appear in court to contest the court injunction when the outstanding debit was presented to the court xx years ago.

The more important question for your wallet how much cover and above the tax bill will you need to pay to cover govt. costs, penalty, court costs, interest, etc.

[ghost_rider]

Thanks for the reply.

That's the problem. The amount I suspect that they want me to pay is way above what I can get may hands on. I just don't have the cash.

What happens if I don't have the money? I mean can they hold me here indefinitely? Am I a prisoner in HK?

I'm tempted to try and leave surreptitiously if there was a decent chance I wouldn't get caught / get in trouble.

I'm in a real jam. I gotta get out of HK. I should have never come back, I never realized that 5 or 6 years later this was going to be an issue...

I desperately need some help here.

[KnowItAll]

Going to be next to impossible to leave, unless you try the snake head option - trust me, that should not be tried.

I'd recommend waiting till Monday and hearing out what Immd has to say. Then contact a solicitor and see what advice they can give you.

I know you're nervous and frantic - but you're in HK, they don't give a rat's rear about what your status is with regards to your US taxes.

[jimbo]

As per the others really, get ready to speak to your bank and your family in the u.s to see how much money they can get to bail you out of this situation.

[ghost_rider]

Thanks for the reply Knowitall,

Man, I am a serious nervous wreck right now. I'm probably going to go through a pack of cigs an hour at this rate.

Not that I'm going to go through with it, but if I were to entertain the "houdini" route, what are my options?

[ghost_rider]

As per the others really, get ready to speak to your bank and your family in the u.s to see how much money they can get to bail you out of this situation.

But what if this is just not an option? Do they just hold me here prisoner?

I mean if I don't have the cash, I just don't have it.

What more can they do?

[carang]

no idea what they could do...
you're american, what happens to americans who don't pay their taxes? isn't it jail time?

[ghost_rider]

no idea what they could do...
you're american, what happens to americans who don't pay their taxes? isn't it jail time?

Yes I am American. I am fully paid up on my US taxes.

[ghost_rider]

also, any references for lawyers who would be ideal in this type of situation would be greatly appreciated.

please send me a PM for discretion. thanks