In view of the latest situation of COVID-19 and in response to the Government's announcement that limited service arrangements for government departments will be implemented to reduce social contact, the Inland Revenue Department announced today (March 22) that from tomorrow (March 23) it will suspend the provision of all of its services, except for the following:
| Offices | Opening hours |
| Central Enquiry Counter (only for enquiries relating to tax clearance for taxpayers leaving Hong Kong) |
From 9am to noon and from 1.30pm to 4pm, Monday to Friday |
| Business Registration Office | From 9am to noon and from 1.30pm to 4pm, Monday to Friday |
| Stamp Office | From 9am to noon and from 1.30pm to 4pm, Monday to Friday |
The department appeals to members of the public for their understanding that the above services will only be provided at a much reduced scale and that services in all other areas will not be provided at the service counters. They should also be prepared to experience a longer waiting time before they can be served. Depending on the situation at the service counters, the department may stop members of the public from joining the queues for services at any time before the close of the opening hours.
In light of public health considerations, all visitors entering or remaining in the department's premises are required to wear surgical masks. Any visitor who does not wear a surgical mask will not be served and will be asked to leave the department's premises. Members of the public who feel unwell should refrain from visiting the department. The department encourages the public to use its electronic services to handle their tax affairs as much as possible. A list of such services can be found in the department's website at www.ird.gov.hk/eng/ese/index.htm.
The department further announced that deadlines for tax payments, lodgement of objections and holdover applications as well as submission of tax returns and information that fall between March 23 and April 3 will be automatically extended to April 6.
The department will review the situation and make further announcements as necessary.
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