Latest arrangements for Inland Revenue Department’s public services
In view of the extension of the special work arrangements for government departments to August 23, the Inland Revenue Department announced today (August 14) that from August 17 it will continue to suspend the provision of all of its public 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 |
| Central Telephone Enquiry | From 9am to 12.30pm 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. The department encourages the public to use electronic services to handle 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 (not applicable to Auto Tax Payment Service under the Tax Reserve Certificates Scheme), lodgement of objections and holdover applications, and submission of tax returns and information that fall between July 20 and August 23 will be automatically extended to August 24.
The department will review the situation and make further announcements as necessary.