Joys of Clearing Tax before leaving HK guide

[Concatenate]

I don’t know if I had someone who just got out on the wrong side of the bed, but they are not processing same-day anymore. I came in today (Tuesday) and have been told to come back Friday to receive my tax obligation letter… despite my protests, I could not get them to budge, they’re apparently overwhelmed with requests.

[foreverhobbes]

So apparently the IRD has moved out of the IRD building and is now in Kai Tak.

[foreverhobbes]

I went to Kai Tak right after seeing the sign, and it went pretty smoothly! There were not many people in the office (maybe four?) so I did not have to wait in line at all. I ended up not owing anything so I finished it all in one go! They were quite helpful. Overall it took about thirty minutes.

[akld]

Great guide! Can anyone help confirm if it would be correct to say that I will need 1 clear day to complete the tax clearing process (in Kai Tak) and this process can be completed before my last day with my employer? Just trying to plan how many days I need after my last day with my employer and before I fly out...thanks.

[Gavster]

I'm wanting to clear my tax ASAP but don't want to wait around for hours in between handing in my IR56G form etc and the paying part. I guess I should go around 10am then break for lunch and resume in the afternoon for the settlement (if any). Any advice my good people?

[Gavster]

For anyone dreading doing it, don't be. It's actually a fairly easy process and I got there around 11am and done by 12.30. In the Kai Tak centre you just queue to get told which letter office you need to go to, take the lift up to the designated office, fill in your tax form (remember to at least keep softcopy proof) of your TVCs etc for the previous and current tax years (previous one if you have yet to be billed, which was true of my case). You'll wait a bit for the tax officer to do the computation and call your name when he or she is done. They will run through it and get you to sign an acknowledgement. I got a refund so I got my release letter immediately and job done! They will only post you a refund via cheque so you need an address to receive it (perhaps a friend or relative can let you use their address).

Good luck!

HK efficiency wins again!