Digital Nomad Tax Specialist

Passing Through Hong Kong — When Does Tax Start?

You are not settled here and you are usually not anybody's employee, so the questions are different: how many days of working in Hong Kong before there is a charge at all, whether your income falls under profits tax rather than salaries tax, and whether you need to register a business.

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60+ Days triggers tax review
15% Standard salaries tax rate
300+ Nomads advised annually

Digital Nomad Tax Specialist

You are not settled here and you are usually not anybody's employee, so the questions are different: how many days of working in Hong Kong before there is a charge at all, whether your income falls under profits tax rather than salaries tax, and whether you need to register a business.

⚠️

⚠ Warning: HK Tax Residency Is Not Passport-Based

Hong Kong taxes based on where services are performed, not nationality or visa status. Spending significant time working in HK — even without a work visa — can create a salaries tax liability. The IRD looks at the substance of your activities, not your passport.

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Rencontrez-vous ces problèmes fiscaux ?

When Does HK Tax Apply?

The "60-day rule" and source-of-income test determine whether short stays create a tax liability — most nomads do not understand the threshold.

⚠ Risk: Unknowing breach → back-tax + surcharge interest

Double Taxation Risk

Earning income taxed in your home country while physically in HK can result in double taxation if treaty protections are not correctly claimed.

⚠ Risk: Paying tax twice on the same income

Invoicing Structure

Whether you invoice as an individual or through a company significantly affects your HK tax exposure and compliance obligations.

⚠ Risk: Wrong structure → higher effective tax rate

IRD Registration Requirements

Self-employed nomads operating in HK must register as sole proprietors and file profits tax returns, not salaries tax returns.

⚠ Risk: Wrong return type → penalties and reassessment
Pour qui

À qui s'adresse ce service

Nomads spending 60+ days in HK

Working from HK for more than 60 days in an assessment year brings you within the scope of HK salaries tax.

Freelancers with HK as a hub

Using HK as a base while serving global clients, needing clarity on profits vs salaries tax treatment.

YouTubers, content creators, consultants

Online income earners whose work is location-independent but whose tax obligations are location-specific.

Nomads considering HK residency

Evaluating HK as a permanent base and wanting to understand full tax implications before committing.

Those on the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme

QMAS holders establishing HK tax presence for the first time.

Nos services

Ce que nous couvrons

Tax Residency Assessment

We determine whether you have become tax-resident in HK and what obligations flow from that status.

Based on days of presence, nature of work, and source of income analysis

Profits vs Salaries Tax Determination

We establish whether your income is assessable under profits tax (self-employed) or salaries tax (employee).

Critical distinction affecting rates, deductions, and filing forms

Double Taxation Review

We identify applicable tax treaties and ensure you claim all available relief to avoid double taxation.

HK has CDTAs with 45+ jurisdictions

Business Registration & Filing

We register your sole proprietorship and file annual profits tax returns on your behalf.

Including deductible expenses and depreciation allowances

IRD Enquiry Defence

If the IRD questions your tax position, we prepare written responses and represent you professionally.

Including objection and appeal procedures if required
Comment ça marche

Simple, efficace, professionnel

1

Residency & Exposure Mapping

We map your travel history and work activities to determine your HK tax exposure.

1 day
2

Income Characterisation

We classify your income streams as employment, self-employment, or offshore to apply the correct tax treatment.

1–2 days
3

Tax Optimisation Strategy

We present legal strategies to minimise your HK tax liability including structure, deductions, and treaty claims.

2 days
4

Registration & Annual Filing

We handle all IRD registration, return filing, and ongoing compliance on your behalf.

Ongoing
Prêt à commencer ? Sans engagement — annulez à tout moment
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Réussites de nos clients

Des résultats concrets pour de vrais clients

Case Study

UX Designer — Freelance, HK-based 8 months

HKD 67,000 Économisé
  • Annual freelance income HKD 480,000
  • All clients overseas (EU and US)
  • Profits tax rate applied (not salaries tax)
  • Equipment and software deductions claimed
"I had no idea which tax form to file. TAX.hk sorted everything out in under a week."
Client vérifié Case Study
Case Study

Online Course Creator — HK hub, global audience

HKD 93,000 Économisé
  • Annual income HKD 720,000
  • Income partially offshore (pre-recorded content)
  • Offshore claim for non-HK performed work
  • Deductible platform and production costs identified
"The offshore income claim was legitimate — TAX.hk proved it to the IRD with documentary evidence."
Client vérifié Case Study
★★★★★ 2,400+ clients font confiance à notre équipe
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  • Consultation initiale gratuite de 30 min
  • Un CPA senior dédié à votre dossier
  • Sans engagement — annulez à tout moment
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Vos informations restent strictement confidentielles.

Pourquoi nous choisir

Pourquoi choisir TAX.hk

Une expertise fiscale hongkongaise approfondie

Nos CPA cumulent plus de 15 ans d'expérience fiscale à Hong Kong et suivent chaque mise à jour de l'IRD.

Des honoraires fixes et transparents

Pas de surprise liée à la facturation horaire. Connaissez votre coût à l'avance, avant même de commencer.

Réponse sous 24 heures

Nous répondons à toutes les demandes sous un jour ouvré. Cas urgents traités sous 4 heures.

Confidentialité stricte

Toutes les informations clients sont couvertes par une obligation professionnelle stricte de confidentialité.

FAQ

Questions fréquentes

Réponses rapides à vos questions

Possibly. The 60-day exemption under s.8(1A)(b) excludes income from days worked outside HK, but if you are working IN HK for those 60+ days, the income earned during that period is HK-sourced and taxable. The exemption is about WHERE you work, not HOW LONG you stay.

The location of your clients is irrelevant — what matters is where YOU perform the services. If you are sitting in a HK cafe invoicing overseas clients, that income is HK-sourced and taxable, whether under salaries tax or profits tax depending on your employment status.

This depends on your income level and growth plans. At lower incomes, sole proprietorship profits tax (progressive to 15%) is similar to salaries tax. Above HKD 2M profit, a HK company taxed at 8.25% on the first HKD 2M is more efficient. We model both options for you.

Not specifically, but HK has several immigration routes suitable for nomads: the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS), Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), and Investment as Entrepreneurs visa. Each has different tax implications which we can advise on.

Seek professional advice immediately. Most tax authorities treat voluntary disclosure far more leniently than enforcement-triggered compliance. We assess your obligations across jurisdictions and help you regularise your position with minimum penalties.

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Cette page fournit uniquement des informations générales. Pour un conseil adapté à votre situation, veuillez consulter un professionnel de la fiscalité de Hong Kong qualifié.