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HKFP
26-05-2025
- Business
- HKFP
Tax chief says no specific groups targeted, as independent online news sector face simultaneous audits
Hong Kong's tax chief has said that the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) would 'definitely not' target specific industries, after it emerged that the city's independent online media outlets have been under audit since 2023. Commissioner of Inland Revenue Benjamin Chan said on Saturday that 'based on our system, we ensure consistency in treatment for all taxpayers. Every taxpayer has the chance to be invited for a tax review or audit,' RTHK reported. In 2023–24, 1,802 tax audits were 'processed' by the IRD, according to its annual report. As of 2024, there were 1,460,494 companies registered locally, the government said. 'Some taxpayers have raised questions about whether the Inland Revenue Department would audit for tax returns based on specific industries or background. I want to reiterate that we did not and would definitely not do that,' Chan said. He called the audit process 'transparent, fair and open.' The Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) said on Wednesday that the independent news sector – including companies, staff and family members of the union chief – was facing simultaneous tax audits. HKJA head Selina Cheng said that at least six news outlets – including InMedia, The Witness, ReNews, Boomhead, Hong Kong Free Press and an outlet that declined to be named – had been receiving additional tax demands since November 2023 as part of IRD inspections. Meanwhile, a total of 20 individuals linked to the independent media industry are also facing similar probes. Thirteen of them are heads, directors, shareholders, or former heads of the news outlets concerned. Also under inspection are two freelance journalists, two spouses of news outlet heads, an employee of an outlet, and both parents of the HKJA chief. According to the HKJA, the total amount demanded from the six media outlets and other related organisations was around HK$700,000, while the total amount demanded from individuals was around HK$1 million. In a statement last week, Hong Kong Free Press said it has been cooperating fully with its tax audit, having 'always met its tax obligations, paid IRD demands immediately, and ensured meticulous record-keeping since our 2015 inception.' Statement: HKFP, which was 'randomly selected' for an audit in 2024, has always met its tax obligations, paid demands immediately, and ensured meticulous record-keeping. Donor data was withheld in paper submissions to Inland Revenue, with all 'hold' demands reduced to HK$0.… — Hong Kong Free Press HKFP (@hkfp) May 21, 2025 It said that identifying donor information was withheld in its paper submissions to the IRD. The HKJA said the IRD had made errors and 'strange, unreasonable claims ' during the audits. The situation was condemned by press freedom groups. Press freedom concerns In 2022, Chief Executive John Lee said press freedom was 'in the pocket' of Hongkongers but 'nobody is above the law.' Although he has told the press to ' tell a good Hong Kong story,' government departments have been reluctant to respond to story pitches.
South China Morning Post
24-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong tax chief dismisses claims reporters singled out for audits
Hong Kong's tax chief has dismissed concerns that at least 20 reporters and their family members are being selectively audited, saying assessment procedures are applied uniformly and do not target specific industries or individuals based on their background. Earlier this week, the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) raised concerns about the number of reporters and their family members being subject to what they called unreasonable tax reviews for allegedly under-reporting their income. Commissioner of Inland Revenue Benjamin Chan Sze-wai brushed aside the accusations on Saturday, saying: 'Some taxpayers have asked whether the Inland Revenue Department conducts tax audits based on special industries or specific backgrounds. 'I want to emphasise that we absolutely do not do this, nor do we have this practice. Our system treats all taxpayers consistently; all taxpayers have the chance to be invited for a tax audit.' On Wednesday, the HKJA said that at least 20 journalists had been reviewed by the department for salary and profits taxes, and were asked to pay about HK$1 million (US$127,700). After applying to the department for postponement of payment, they were still required to pay about HK$90,000.
RTHK
02-05-2025
- Business
- RTHK
Tax revenue expected to hit HK$401.4b this fiscal year
Tax revenue expected to hit HK$401.4b this fiscal year The Inland Revenue Department says salaries tax collections increased by 11 percent from the previous fiscal year. Photo: RTHK The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) on Friday forecasted a seven percent rise in tax revenue for the current fiscal year, building on robust growth from the previous period. The department said it issued 2.66 million tax return forms, including 790,000 electronic returns and 1.87 million paper returns. The department said it expects tax revenue to reach HK$401.4 billion this fiscal year. Provisional figures indicated that the department collected HK$374.5 billion in the last financial year, marking an increase of HK$32.5 billion, or up 10 percent, compared to 2023-24. Notably, salaries tax collections increased by 11 percent from the previous fiscal year, amounting to roughly HK$9 billion. "The first [reason] increase in the accessible incomes, which brings more taxpayers into the tax net. Another reason is there was various talent schemes in Hong Kong, which also brings us more taxpayers," said Benjamin Chan, Commissioner of Inland Revenue. The commissioner urged people to file electronically, especially with the launch of three new interconnected portals under eTAX in July. "Under the individual tax portals, existing personal tax services provided under the e-tax platform will migrate to this portal with [a] new design and enhanced functions," Chan said. "Mobile apps will also be launched... allowing the individual taxpayers to use biometric login and the taxpayers can keep track of their e-communications with the IRD under this portal and also receive push notification for new messages under this portal." The business tax portal will serve corporations and partnerships, allowing them to manage their tax matters, submit returns, communicate with the IRD, file objections, apply for holdovers on provisional tax and electronically file employer's returns and stamp duty matters. Individuals must submit their forms by June 2, while sole proprietors have until August 2. Those filing electronically will be given a one-month submission deadline extension.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NH resident diagnosed with third case of clade I mpox in US
Feb. 7—A New Hampshire resident has been diagnosed with clade I mpox, one of two types of the virus formerly called monkeypox, following a trip to eastern Africa, state health officials said Friday. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Public Health Services said this is the third known case of clade I mpox in the United States, and the first diagnosis in the Granite State. The other two cases were in California in November and Georgia in January. Both of those cases are also connected to travel, officials said. The patient, identified by officials as an adult from Merrimack County, is currently self-isolating and recovering at home. The individual's illness poses no current risk to the public, DHHS said. The person's illness is "likely related to their recent travel, and there is no evidence that clade I mpox is spreading from person-to-person in New Hampshire or within the United States," DHHS said in a release. State health officials are looking to identify anyone who may have had close contact with the individual. No public locations where exposure may have occurred have been identified. "The mpox virus is spread primarily through direct physical contact with someone who has mpox and has developed an infectious skin rash," state epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan said in a statement. "Public health is working to identify and notify people who had close contact with the individual, so we can connect them with preventive vaccination and help them to monitor for symptoms of mpox." The mpox virus is not spread through the air, officials said. Clade I mpox historically has caused more severe illness than clade II mpox, the type behind a global outbreak in 2022. Clade I mpox outbreaks have had death rates of up to 10%, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said recent outbreaks have had death rates of 1-3.3%. People with mpox develop an infectious rash that changes over time as a person's illness progresses. The rash can look like pimples or blisters that are painful or itchy. Over time, the rash can spread, and the skin lesions will slowly develop a scab or crust before going away over several weeks. Other symptoms of mpox can include fever, chills, headache, exhaustion, muscle aches, sore throat or swollen lymph nodes. A person with mpox can spread the virus when they first develop symptoms, then remain contagious until their rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. Anyone traveling to central or eastern Africa or who believes they might have a risk factor for mpox is advised to talk to a health care provider about whether the JYNNEOS vaccine is recommended. Those with questions about mpox should contact the Division of Public Health Services at 603-271-4496. For more information about mpox, visit the DHHS mpox webpage.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New Hampshire Department of Health identifies Merrimack County resident with monkeypox
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has identified a Merrimack County resident with Clade I Mpox, otherwise known as Monkeypox. This is the state's first case of monkeypox and the country's third overall case. Clade I Mpox is one of two different genetic types of the Mpox virus. According to DHHS, 'People with mpox develop an infectious rash that changes over time as a person's illness progresses. The rash can look like pimples or blisters that are painful or itchy. Over time, the rash can spread, and then slowly the skin lesions develop a scab or crust before going away over several weeks.' Additional symptoms of Monkeypox may include: fever chills headache exhaustion muscle aches sore throat swollen lymph nodes. 'The mpox virus is spread primarily through direct physical contact with someone who has mpox and has developed an infectious skin rash,' said State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan. 'Public Health is working to identify and notify people who had close contact with the individual, so we can connect them with preventive vaccination and help them to monitor for symptoms of mpox.' Recently, the Clade I Mpox has been causing outbreaks across Central and Eastern Africa. The Merrimack County resident identified with monkeypox recently traveled to Eastern Africa. The individual is currently at home, quarantining and recovering, while the DHHS is currently conducting a disease investigation to identify anyone who has been in contact with the individual. Officials say that there is no current risk to the public. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
