HK Inland Revenue Guidelines

Hong Kong adopts a territorial source principle of taxation. Only profits which have a source in Hong Kong are taxable here. Profits sourced elsewhere are not subject to Hong Kong Profits Tax. The principle itself is very clear but its application in particular cases can be, at times, contentious. To clarify the operation of the principle, we have prepared this simple guide on the territorial source principle of taxation. It gives a brief explanation of how the principle operates. If you wish to explore the subject in greater depth, we recommend that you consult your professional advisers.

Basic principles for determining the source of profits

The Courts have over the years considered the subject of the source of profits. The following principles have emerged from authoritative court decisions -

Matter of fact

The question of locality of profits is a hard, practical matter of fact. No universal rule can apply to every scenario. Whether profits arise in or are derived from Hong Kong depends on the nature of the profits and of the transactions which give rise to such profits.

The operations test

The broad guiding principle is that one looks to see what the taxpayer has done to earn the profits in question and where he has done it. In other words, the proper approach is to identify the operations which produced the relevant profits and ascertain where those operations took place. The source of profits must be attributed to the operations of the taxpayer which produce them and not to the operations of other members of the taxpayer's group.

Antecedent or incidental activities

The relevant operations do not comprise the whole of the taxpayer's activities. The focus is on establishing the geographical location of the taxpayer's profit-producing transactions as distinct from activities antecedent or incidental to those transactions.

Place where decision is made

The place where the day-to-day investment/business decisions take place is only one factor which has to be taken into account in determining the source of profits. It is not usually the deciding factor.

Gross profits from transactions

The distinction between Hong Kong profits and offshore profits is made by reference to the gross profits arising from individual transactions.

Business presence overseas

A business may maintain a presence overseas which earns profits outside Hong Kong but the absence of a business presence overseas does not, of itself, mean that all the profits of a Hong Kong business invariably arise in or are derived from Hong Kong. However, in the vast majority of cases where the principal place of business is located in Hong Kong and there is no business presence overseas, profits earned by that business are likely to be chargeable to Profits Tax in Hong Kong.

For more information, please visit "http://www.ird.gov.hk/eng/paf/bus_pft_tsp.htm"