Author Archives: hksar gov

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority: Exchange Fund Bills Tender Results ****************************   Tender date : May 14, 2019 Paper on offer : EF Bills … read more

     A taxpayer was convicted today (May 14) at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on four charges of evading salaries tax. Sentencing was adjourned to June 4 pending a probation officer’s report and community service order report.

     The defendant, aged 42, pleaded guilty to three counts of wilfully, with intent, evading tax by making false statements in connection with claims for additional dependent parent allowance for the years of assessment 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2014-15, contrary to section 82(1)(c) of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112) (IRO). He also pleaded guilty to one count of wilfully, with intent, evading tax by giving a false answer in writing to a request for information in respect of the residence of his mother made in accordance with the provisions of the IRO, contrary to section 82(1)(e) of the IRO.

     The court heard that the defendant made false statements in his tax returns for the years of assessment 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2014-15. He falsely declared that, during each of the three years, his mother resided with him continuously for each full year. In addition, the defendant submitted a false answer in writing to the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), stating that his mother had resided with him at the same property from January 2012 onwards.

     An investigation by the IRD revealed that the defendant had not resided with his mother continuously for any of the years of assessment 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2014-15. The total of the defendant’s false claims of additional dependent parent allowance for the three years was $114,000 and the total tax involved was $13,607.

     A spokesman for the IRD reminded taxpayers that tax evasion is a criminal offence under the IRO. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty for each charge is three years’ imprisonment and a fine of $50,000 plus a further fine of three times the amount of tax evaded. read more

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department said today (May 14) that because of an oil spill, the red flag has been hoisted at Anglers’ Beach in Tsuen Wan District. The beach has been closed until further notice. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach. read more

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, will depart Hong Kong tomorrow (May 15) to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting to be held in Chile, and the Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Informal Ministerial Gathering in France. He will also visit the United Kingdom (UK) to strengthen bilateral relations between Hong Kong and the UK.

     Mr Yau will first attend the APEC MRT Meeting in Viña del Mar, Chile from May 17 to 18 (Viña del Mar time). APEC 2019 is themed “Connecting People, Building the Future”. Mr Yau will join discussion sessions with ministers of other member economies on topics including APEC and the WTO, advancing APEC’s regional economic integration agenda, and strengthening inclusive and sustainable growth in the digital era. On the sidelines of the MRT Meeting, he will sign an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement between Hong Kong and Mexico, and meet with other participating ministers for exchanges on bilateral trade and economic relations as well as issues of mutual concern.

     After attending the APEC meetings, Mr Yau will visit London, the UK from May 20 to 21 (London time). He will meet with senior government officials and parliamentarians to explore further co-operation on bilateral trade and creative industries development. He will deliver a keynote speech at a seminar on Hong Kong creative industries and design, and will speak on Hong Kong’s latest economic and trade situation as well as its role in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative at a roundtable discussion at Asia House.

     Mr Yau will then attend the MCM of the OECD in Paris, France from May 22 to 23 (Paris time). He will attend a ministerial dinner hosted by the Slovak Republic, the Chair of the 2019 MCM, and join a session on digital trade where participating ministers will discuss the impact of digitalisation on trade. On the margins of the MCM, Mr Yau will attend the WTO Informal Ministerial Gathering to discuss issues relating to WTO reform and achievable outcomes for the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference next year.

     Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong on May 24. The Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, will be the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development during Mr Yau’s absence. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission:
 
     The Electoral Affairs Commission will hold a public forum on May 16 (Thursday) on the provisional recommendations on the boundaries and names of geographical constituencies for the 2020 Legislative Council General Election.
 
     “Members of the public are welcome to express their views at the public forum,” a Commission spokesman said today (May 14).
 
     The forum will be held from 7pm to 9pm at Lai Chi Kok Community Hall, 863 Lai Chi Kok Road, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon.
 
     The provisional recommendations were released on May 8 for public consultation. The public consultation period will last for 30 days until June 6.
 
     Written representations can be submitted to the Commission’s Secretariat by post at 10/F, Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, by fax (2511 1682) or email (eacenq@eac.hk) by June 6. Late representations will not be considered.
 
     Maps showing the proposed boundaries and names of geographical constituencies can be viewed on the Commission’s website (www.eac.hk), or inspected at the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of all district offices, the Registration and Electoral Office, philatelic offices of Hongkong Post, management offices of public housing estates, and at major and district public libraries.
 
     For enquiries, please call 2827 1269. read more