Hong Kong Has No Estate Tax. But Your Foreign Assets Might.
Hong Kong abolished estate duty in 2006 — a fact that comforts many residents until they discover that the UK, US, Australia, and most of Europe still levy inheritance or estate taxes on assets situated in those countries, or on individuals who remain domiciled there. Planning this early makes all the difference.
Estate & Succession Tax Planning Specialist
Hong Kong abolished estate duty in 2006 — a fact that comforts many residents until they discover that the UK, US, Australia, and most of Europe still levy inheritance or estate taxes on assets situated in those countries, or on individuals who remain domiciled there. Planning this early makes all the difference.
⚠ Common Misconception: Zero HK Estate Duty Does Not Mean Zero Exposure
Most HK residents have assets in multiple countries — overseas property, foreign investment accounts, foreign pensions — or have family members resident in other jurisdictions. Those overseas assets are subject to the estate and inheritance tax rules of the countries where they are situated or where the owner/beneficiary is resident/domiciled. A UK property owned by a HK resident is within the UK IHT net. A US brokerage account is within the US estate tax net. HK's zero duty only protects HK-sited assets.
¿Se enfrenta a estos problemas fiscales?
Overseas Property & Estate Duty
UK property subject to 40% IHT above the nil-rate band, US assets taxed at up to 40% for non-residents above US,000, and Australian state probate duties — many HK residents are unaware of these exposures.
UK Domicile & IHT Exposure
UK IHT at 40% applies to worldwide assets of UK-domiciled individuals. Many HK residents retain UK domicile of origin or have acquired it through long residence. The deemed domicile rules extend the net years after leaving.
Trust Structures Without Tax Review
Trusts established in one jurisdiction may trigger unexpected tax in another. Discretionary trusts, excluded property trusts, and offshore trusts all have specific cross-border implications that must be planned for.
Gift Taxation in Home Jurisdictions
Many HK parents make significant lifetime gifts to children overseas. The US and some European countries tax gifts made by or to connected persons. Even in HK, gifts can be treated as income in certain business or employment contexts.
Para quién es este servicio
Owners of UK residential or investment property who need to understand and mitigate their IHT exposure.
British nationals who moved to HK but may still be within the UK IHT net on worldwide assets.
Families including US citizens, green card holders, or individuals with US assets facing estate and gift tax exposure.
HK residents receiving inheritances from overseas estates needing to understand obligations and HK tax treatment.
Business owners transferring HK companies or regional holding structures to the next generation tax-efficiently.
Qué cubrimos
Multi-Jurisdictional Estate Assessment
We map your entire asset base and identify the estate or inheritance tax exposure in each jurisdiction where assets are held or family members reside.
Trust Structuring & Tax Review
Advice on the tax consequences of establishing trusts in various jurisdictions, review of existing trust deeds for unexpected tax triggers.
Life Insurance-Linked Estate Planning
Properly structured life insurance policies can provide liquidity to pay estate taxes and remove policy proceeds from the taxable estate entirely.
Lifetime Gifting Programme
Multi-year gifting programmes using annual exemptions, potentially exempt transfers, and business property reliefs to gradually reduce the estate.
Overseas Probate Tax Advisory
Advice on probate tax implications in each jurisdiction, coordination with overseas counsel, and tax-efficient administration sequencing.
Simple, eficiente, profesional
Confidential Discovery Meeting
Private conversation to understand family composition, asset base, residency history, existing wills and trusts, and planning objectives.
1–2 hoursEstate Exposure Mapping
Comprehensive estate tax exposure map showing each asset, applicable tax regime, estimated exposure, and available reliefs — coordinated with overseas counsel.
2–3 weeksPlanning Recommendations Report
Detailed written report with specific recommendations, quantified tax savings, and implementation timelines prioritised by impact and urgency.
1–2 weeksImplementation & Annual Review
Work alongside your solicitors and trustees to implement structures, with annual reviews to ensure the plan remains current as legislation and circumstances evolve.
OngoingResultados reales para clientes reales
UK-Domiciled HK Resident — IHT Restructuring
- British national in HK for 15 years, still UK-domiciled — entire worldwide estate within IHT net
- Restructured over two years using lifetime gifts and excluded property trust
- Potential IHT reduced from over £800,000 to under £150,000
Multi-Jurisdiction Family — HK, Australia & Japan
- Family with assets in HK, Australia, and Japan
- Combined foreign estate tax exposure across three jurisdictions identified
- Exposure substantially reduced through trust structures and a gifting programme
Consulta experta gratuita
Hable hoy con un especialista fiscal sénior
- Consulta inicial gratuita de 30 minutos
- CPA sénior asignado a su caso
- Sin compromiso — cancele en cualquier momento
Por qué elegir TAX.hk
Amplia experiencia en impuestos de HK
Nuestros CPA tienen más de 15 años de experiencia en impuestos de HK y se mantienen al día con cada actualización del IRD.
Honorarios fijos transparentes
Sin sorpresas de facturación por horas. Conozca su costo por adelantado antes de comenzar.
Respuesta en 24 horas
Respondemos a todas las consultas dentro de un día hábil. Casos urgentes dentro de 4 horas.
Estricta confidencialidad
Toda la información del cliente se mantiene bajo un estricto deber profesional de confidencialidad.
Preguntas frecuentes
Respuestas rápidas a sus preguntas
¿Listo para comenzar?
Reserve hoy una consulta gratuita con un especialista fiscal sénior de HK.
Todos los servicios
Más servicios de esta categoría
Calculadoras útiles
Esta página proporciona únicamente información general. Para recibir asesoría específica de su situación, consulte a un profesional fiscal cualificado de Hong Kong.