The Source of Dividends in Hong Kong Tax Law

Stefano Mariani recently contributed an article to Asia Pacific Tax Bulletin on the source of dividends in Hong Kong Tax Law.

In Hong Kong, dividends received from a company which was chargeable to profits tax are exempt under section 26 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. As such, in the absence of specific legislation that states otherwise, it follows that non-qualifying dividends would be taxable in Hong Kong if they were sourced in Hong Kong.

During the recent Annual Meeting of the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department (IRD) and the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the IRD was asked to clarify the general source rule for these dividends which are paid out by companies that were not subject to profits tax in Hong Kong.

Stefano’s article considers the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department’s position on the treatment of such dividends and offer a critical analysis and response to the same.

Please click here to read the article (registration required).