Student Tax Specialist

Your First Hong Kong Tax Return — Students and New Graduates

Most students and new graduates end up owing nothing, because the basic allowance covers a first part-time or graduate salary. But a return still arrives, it still has to be filed, and self-education expenses are worth claiming from the very first year.

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HKD 132,000 Basic allowance — pay no tax below this
HKD 2,000 Min MPF deductible contribution/year
0% Tax for most full-time students earning part-time

Student Tax Specialist

Most students and new graduates end up owing nothing, because the basic allowance covers a first part-time or graduate salary. But a return still arrives, it still has to be filed, and self-education expenses are worth claiming from the very first year.

⚠️

⚠ You Must File a Return Even If You Owe No Tax

If the IRD sends you a BIR60 tax return form, you are legally required to complete and submit it by the deadline — even if your income is below the taxable threshold and you owe zero tax. Failure to file carries an automatic penalty of up to HKD 10,000 per form. Never ignore an IRD form.

Défis courants

Rencontrez-vous ces problèmes fiscaux ?

Receiving a First Tax Return

Many students panic when they receive their first BIR60. The form looks intimidating, but for most students, completion is straightforward with the right guidance.

⚠ Risk: Missing the filing deadline → automatic penalty + surcharge

Not Claiming Personal Allowance

Every individual is entitled to a basic personal allowance of HKD 132,000 for 2025/26. Many first-time filers forget to claim it and overpay.

⚠ Risk: Paying salaries tax that you legally do not owe

Self-Education Expense Deduction

Tuition fees for qualifying courses paid by yourself can be deducted up to HKD 100,000/year under s.12(1)(f) of the IRO.

⚠ Risk: Missing the self-education deduction → overpaying on working-student income

Provisional Tax in Year Two

In your second working year, the IRD issues a combined bill covering current-year tax PLUS provisional tax for next year — many new workers are shocked by the size.

⚠ Risk: Cash flow shock → missed payment → surcharge and enforcement
Pour qui

À qui s'adresse ce service

University students with part-time jobs

Students working evenings, weekends, or during summers who receive their first IRD correspondence.

Recent graduates in their first full-time job

New graduates filing their first full salaries tax return with a year of employment income.

Students paying for their own education

Those funding their own tuition fees who can claim the self-education expense deduction.

Students running a small side business

Entrepreneurial students selling products or services online who need business registration guidance.

Parents helping adult students file correctly

Parents who want their working children to understand and meet their tax obligations from the start.

Nos services

Ce que nous couvrons

First Tax Return Completion

We complete your BIR60 correctly, claiming all applicable allowances and deductions.

Clear explanation of each section in plain language

Self-Education Deduction Claim

We identify qualifying courses and claim up to HKD 100,000 self-education expense deduction.

Applies to courses providing specific skills for current employment

MPF Deduction Calculation

We ensure your mandatory MPF contributions are correctly deducted from assessable income.

Up to HKD 18,000/year deductible

Provisional Tax Explanation & Management

We explain your provisional tax demand and help you plan for the combined payment in year two.

Including instalment arrangements if needed

First-Year Tax Education Session

A 1-hour session explaining HK salaries tax basics, allowances, and annual obligations clearly.

So you understand your own tax affairs from year one
Comment ça marche

Simple, efficace, professionnel

1

Initial Assessment

We review your income, employment records, and any IRD forms you have received.

30 mins
2

MPF & Self-Education Deduction Review

We identify your applicable allowances, MPF deductions, and self-education expenses.

30 mins
3

Return Completion & Review

We complete your BIR60 and walk you through every line so you understand it.

1–2 hours
4

Filing & Future Planning

We file your return and brief you on provisional tax and the following year's obligations.

1 day
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Réussites de nos clients

Des résultats concrets pour de vrais clients

Case Study

University student working 3 days a week in retail

HKD 0 tax + avoided HKD 5,000 penalty Économisé
  • Annual part-time income HKD 88,000
  • Below basic allowance — nil tax payable
  • Had received BIR60 but ignored it (nearly 3 months past deadline)
  • Late filing penalty waived with first-offence explanation
"I had no idea I still had to file even with no tax to pay. TAX.hk sorted the late filing and got the penalty waived."
Client vérifié Case Study
Case Study

First-year analyst with self-funded MBA

HKD 45,000 Économisé
  • Graduate salary HKD 360,000
  • Part-time MBA tuition HKD 95,000 paid personally
  • Self-education deduction HKD 95,000 claimed
  • Combined with basic allowance: assessable income reduced to HKD 233,000
"My tax bill dropped from HKD 55,000 to just HKD 10,000 thanks to the self-education deduction I didn't know about."
Client vérifié Case Study
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FAQ

Questions fréquentes

Réponses rapides à vos questions

Not if your total income is below HKD 132,000 for 2025/26 (the basic personal allowance). However, if the IRD sends you a BIR60 form, you must file it regardless — you simply declare your income, claim your allowance, and show nil tax payable. You are not exempt from filing, just from paying tax at low income levels.

Yes, if you are paying the tuition yourself. Under s.12(1)(f) of the IRO, "self-education expenses" of up to HKD 100,000 per year are deductible. The course must be related to your current or prospective employment and provided by a recognised institution. Full-time degree programmes as well as part-time professional qualifications can qualify.

In your second year of employment, the IRD collects two amounts in one demand: (1) the balance of actual salaries tax for the current year, and (2) provisional tax for the NEXT year, calculated at roughly the same amount. This means your second tax bill is typically around 1.5x to 2x what you expected. It is not double-charging — the provisional amount is credited against next year's final assessment.

HK's tax year runs from 1 April to 31 March. If you started in October, your first assessment covers October to 31 March — approximately 6 months of income. You claim a full year's worth of personal allowances against this partial-year income, which typically means no tax in your first year. From April of the following year, you are assessed on a full year of income.

You can deduct your own mandatory contributions to MPF (5% of your salary up to HKD 1,500/month). Your employer's contributions are not income to you and do not need to be declared. The maximum annual deduction for employee mandatory MPF contributions is HKD 18,000.

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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.