The Central and Western District Office together with the Central District of the Hong Kong Police Force, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health and the Auxiliary Medical Service (AMS) conducted… read more
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, today (April 1) briefed representatives of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries on the amended Annex I to the Basic Law on Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Annex II to the Basic Law on Method for the Formation of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and its Voting Procedures as approved by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
At the meeting, Mr Yau reiterated the necessity and urgency of improving the electoral system, highlighting its importance on creating a stable business environment and ensuring Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability. He called on different sectors of the community, including the industrial sector, to fully support the relevant amendments.
Mr Yau stressed that establishing a political structure that upholds the “one country, two systems” principle, reflects the actual situation of Hong Kong and ensures “patriots administering Hong Kong” is the only way to fully safeguard the HKSAR’s constitutional order established by the Constitution and the Basic Law, restore order from chaos, ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of “one country, two systems” and achieve the long-term stability and safety of Hong Kong.
He said that by improving the electoral system, the excessive politicisation in society and the internal rifts that have torn Hong Kong apart can be effectively mitigated, thereby enhancing the governance capability of the HKSAR. The HKSAR will then be able to focus on addressing economic and livelihood issues, and developing the economy to achieve long-term prosperity and stability through leveraging its unique advantages and the staunch support of the Central Authorities.
Mr Yau will conduct a number of such briefing sessions next week to brief various sectors on the relevant amendments, including small and medium enterprises, tourism, hotel, wholesale and retail, textiles and garment, telecommunications, broadcasting, film and performing arts, and publishing.
​The Inland Revenue Department today (April 1) issued about 210,000 profits tax returns, 120,000 property tax returns and 320,000 employer’s returns for the year of assessment 2020-21. About 2.6 million tax returns for individuals will be issued on May 3. Taxpayers and employers are generally required to file their returns within one month from the date of issue of the relevant returns. For cases with tax representatives appointed, the deadlines for filing returns are set out in the Block Extension Letter posted on the department’s website.
In this year’s Budget, the Financial Secretary proposed a one-off reduction of 100 per cent of profits tax, salaries tax and tax under personal assessment for 2020-21, subject to a ceiling of $10,000. Upon enactment of the relevant legislation, the department will effect the tax reduction in this year’s tax bills.
“Individuals with rental income, if eligible, can enjoy the reduction by electing personal assessment. They can make the choice when completing their 2020-21 tax returns for individuals,” a spokesman for the department said.
Members of the public can visit the department’s website (www.ird.gov.hk) for common questions and answers on how to complete tax returns. The department encourages taxpayers to file their tax returns through eTAX electronic services, details of which can be found in the webpage (www.gov.hk/en/residents/taxes/etax/services/index.htm). Guidance on electronic filing of employer’s returns is also available on the department’s website (www.ird.gov.hk/eng/tax/err.htm). The eTAX services permit individuals to use the Government’s “iAM Smart” digital services to login and sign the tax returns (signing is only applicable to holders of “iAM Smart” accounts with digital signing function). For information about the “iAM Smart” services, please visit the website at www.iamsmart.gov.hk.
The department reminds taxpayers and employers to pay sufficient postage for returns to be posted to the department to ensure timely delivery. Postage rates can be found on Hongkong Post’s website at www.hongkongpost.hk. Underpaid mail items will not be accepted by the department. read more
The Government Property Agency is inviting tenders for two separate three-year tenancies of the government properties at (i) Room No. 1 and (ii) Room No. 2 on the first floor of Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, for the installation and operation of two automated teller machines belonging to the tenant only.
The tender notice was uploaded today (April 1) to the Agency’s website: www.gpa.gov.hk. Tender documents are available for collection at the Government Property Agency, 9/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, during the period from 9am to 6pm from Mondays to Fridays, except public holidays. The documents can also be downloaded from the Agency’s website.
Interested tenderers who wish to attend a site inspection should make a prior appointment with the Government Property Agency by calling 3842 6775 on or before April 15 this year.
Tenderers must submit their tenders by placing them in the Government Logistics Department Tender Box situated on the Ground Floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, before noon on April 26 this year. Late tenders will not be accepted. read more
The Labour Department (LD) today (April 1) announced that the Reimbursement of Maternity Leave Pay Scheme is now open for applications from employers.
The statutory maternity leave (ML) under the Employment Ordinance (EO) (Cap. 57) has been extended from 10 weeks to 14 weeks effective from December 11, 2020. Through the scheme, employers can apply for reimbursement of the statutory maternity leave pay (MLP) paid to employees in respect of the 11th to 14th weeks, subject to a cap of $80,000 per employee. The LD has appointed a processing agent to assist with the implementation of the scheme.
An LD spokesman said, “We expect that the extension of statutory ML, in conjunction with the implementation of the scheme, will benefit 27 000 pregnant employees and their employers every year.”
An application for reimbursement of MLP must meet the following requirements: