[Tax Filing 2022] Found omissions, misreported tax returns? How do I submit an amendment to the tax office?

The consequences of taxpayers omitting tax returns and misreporting tax returns can be very serious. Although it is only a mistake, the public has the absolute responsibility to fill in the tax returns correctly in accordance with the Inland Revenue Ordinance.

How do I file an amendment to the tax return to the Inland Revenue Department?

This article will explain each situation in detail and how to deal with it.

What are the consequences of tax evasion and late tax filing?

According to the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Ordinance, taxpayers should fulfill their responsibilities, fill in the contents of the tax return correctly, and submit it to the Inland Revenue Department on time for accurate tax assessment.

At the same time, to combat all acts of intentional tax evasion or assisting others to evade tax, the Inland Revenue Department can, in accordance with Articles 80 and 82 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance and prosecute it.

If the tax return is filed late, a fine of HK$10,000 and prosecution will be imposed for the omission of the tax return. Furthermore, because the Inland Revenue Department failed to receive the declaration of “tax-exemption” and “deduction” items, the taxpayer was only entitled to “basic tax-exemption” in disguise and no longer entitled to MPF contributions, approved charitable donations, personal education expenses, etc. deduct.

Did you find any omissions or misstatements before you received your tax bill?

After the taxpayer submits the tax return, if he or she finds that the relevant information has been neglected or misreported before receiving the tax bill, he can take the initiative to make changes online or through a written notice.

Online tax filers can go to the eTAX account to make corrections for omissions in the first tax return.

After logging in to your account, you can enter various supplementary information in “Contact Us” and “Supplementary Information for Tax Return” on the left and submit it to the authorities for correction, which is convenient and time-saving.

If you want to notify the authorities of omissions in writing, the taxpayer can write in the form of a letter to write down the contents of the tax return to be revised or wrong, and remember to indicate the profits tax file number and relevant unit information so that the assessor can follow up.

Alternatively, due to omissions and misstatements, you can also complete the forms provided by the authorities to make amendments, including “underreporting income”, “declaring excessive deductions/exemptions”, “forgetting to apply for dependent parent/grandparent allowances or seniors” Residential Care Expenses”, etc.

Want to file a change or objection after receiving your tax bill?

If the omission or misstatement of tax is discovered after the receipt of the tax bill, or if you do not agree with the tax assessment result, etc., you can file an objection to the Inland Revenue Department within one month of the date of issuance of the tax assessment notice. The reasons for the objection can also be stated in the form of a written letter, or the completed form IR831 can be returned to the Inland Revenue Department.

The objection will be processed and answered within 18 working days. If the objection is accepted, the Inland Revenue Department will refund the excess tax; if there is unpaid tax, the Inland Revenue Department will issue a revised tax assessment. for you. At the same time, if the taxpayer still does not agree, he can raise his objection again and state the reasons.

What should I do if I have already paid the tax and found out that I have missed a tax return?

The Inland Revenue Ordinance states that a taxpayer’s tax return can be corrected within 6 months from the end of the year of assessment/month of tax return, or within 6 months after the date of service of the relevant notice of assessment (whichever is later).

Similarly, taxpayers can submit amendments to the tax office in the form of letters or forms, regardless of arithmetic errors, legal errors, omissions to declare allowances, tax deductions, etc.

The above information is for reference only. If you have any questions about tax filing, Mexus Accounting welcomes your inquiries.