The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has accepted all recommendations from the Office of The Ombudsman regarding the submission of electronic tax returns by members of the public, waiving relevant penalties and launching new safeguards.
The Ombudsman today released a direct investigation report on the unsuccessful delivery of electronic tax returns submitted by members of the public for the 2024-25 year of assessment.
In a statement responding to the report, the IRD said it is highly concerned that some taxpayers, after completing digital signing via “iAM Smart” while filing their tax returns through eTAX last year, did not return from “iAM Smart” to eTAX to complete the entire tax return filing process, resulting in the tax returns not being submitted to the department.
The department highlighted that it has actively followed up on the implementation of the Ombudsman’s recommendations, with the majority of them having already commenced or been completed.
After receiving reports from taxpayers last year, the IRD actively initiated follow-up actions and enhanced the system and workflow, and has been fully co-operating with the Ombudsman during its direct investigation.
The new enhancement measures were put in place before the issuance of the individual tax returns for the 2025-26 year of assessment in May this year. The IRD has not received similar complaints from taxpayers since then.
The enhancements included adding a pop-up message to eTAX to remind users that they must return to the eTAX system to complete the tax return filing process after completing digital signing via “iAM Smart”. Users who have successfully submitted their tax returns will receive confirmation messages in their eTAX message boxes.
The department also modified the message displayed on the relevant confirmation page, as well as the “iAM Smart” electronic notifications and emails sent to users following the completion of digital signing via “iAM Smart”, to remind taxpayers to return to the eTAX system to complete the tax return filing process.
Furthermore, information entered by users in eTAX will be temporarily saved automatically, saving users the trouble of repeating the relevant process when they fail to sign or submit their tax returns for various reasons.
The IRD added that, according to records, between May last year and January, about 490,000 people used “iAM Smart” to sign their individual tax returns via eTAX. Over 90% of them successfully submitted their tax returns upon the first attempt.
As for the roughly 33,000 taxpayers who failed to submit their tax returns upon their first attempt, approximately 80% of them had reused “iAM Smart” to sign and submit their tax returns successfully before the IRD issued penalty notices and/or notices of estimated assessment.
Among the 33,000 taxpayers, nearly 14,000 taxpayers used “iAM Smart” again to sign and successfully submit their tax returns on the very same day they made their initial attempt.
The IRD apologised for the inconvenience caused to taxpayers by this incident and is actively following up on the relevant cases.
It emphasised that no taxpayers will be penalised due to the incident. Penalty remissions will be granted and penalty payments will be refunded to taxpayers who filed their tax returns after the submission deadline as a result of the incident. The IRD has notified the relevant taxpayers via eTAX regarding the arrangements for the refund of penalties.
The two prosecutions related to the incident have also been withdrawn.
For cases where taxpayers received notices of estimated assessment but did not request a revision, the IRD will issue letters to the relevant taxpayers before mid-September to remind them that if they consider that the assessments failed to take into account the information provided in their tax returns, they may apply for a revision of assessments.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FEHD releases sixth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in August
District
District During the rainy season, the FEHD continues to carry out a series of mosquito prevention and elimination measures, including: Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including: Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of chikungunya fever (CF) transmission.
Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The Gravidtrap and Density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department’s webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#Issued at HKT 18:30
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:
The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, today (August 31) announced the completion of a direct investigation operation into the unsuccessful delivery of electronic tax returns submitted by members of the public to the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), with 18 improvement recommendations made to the IRD. The IRD has accepted all the recommendations. The Office is pleased to note that besides accepting all the recommendations, the IRD has already implemented some of them.
The direct investigation operation report is available on the website of the Office of The Ombudsman at www.ombudsman.hk
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
DoJ welcomes NPCSC’s passage of amendments to the Lawyers Law of the People’s Republic of China governing GBA lawyers The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, said, “The amended Lawyers Law, as a national law, makes clear provision for the GBA lawyers’ scheme, thus providing the legal basis to conduct relevant work in respect of the regularisation of the practice regime. I warmly welcome the amendments and express my sincere gratitude to authorities such as the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) for their strong support to the development of the GBA lawyers’ scheme. Since the NPCSC’s authorisation of the State Council to conduct a pilot scheme for GBA lawyers, the professional team of GBA lawyers has been growing continuously, contributing efforts to the country’s building of the rule of law. The National 15th Five-Year Plan Outline calls for deepening the construction of the GBA and accelerating the development of an international first-class bay area. GBA lawyers with dual practice qualifications can facilitate the interfaces of mechanisms and regulatory frameworks in the GBA, as well as proactively integrating into and contributing to the overall national development.”
The NPCSC decided in August 2020 to authorise the State Council to conduct a pilot scheme for a period of three years. The pilot period would have originally expired in October 2023 and was extended by the NPCSC in August 2023 until October 4 this year. As in June this year, over 650 Hong Kong and Macao lawyers have obtained the Lawyer’s License (GBA) and can provide legal services in the nine Mainland municipalities in the GBA on specified civil and commercial matters to which the Mainland laws apply. Currently, there have been GBA lawyers appearing in court as litigation representatives in the nine Mainland municipalities in the GBA and taking up GBA arbitration cases.
The DoJ will continue to maintain close contact with authorities such as the MoJ and the Department of Justice of Guangdong Province, with a view to proactively supporting and complementing the relevant work of the regularisation of the GBA lawyers’ scheme. Issued at HKT 9:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs alerts public to not use unsafe external power bank with wireless charging function (with photo) Customs is committed to the protection of consumer interests and regularly conducts spot checks and safety tests on consumer goods to ensure that they are reasonably safe for use by consumers.
Customs also reminds traders to comply with the statutory requirements of the CGSO to protect the safety of consumers. Under the CGSO, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import into Hong Kong consumer goods unless the goods comply with the general safety requirements for consumer goods. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction.Issued at HKT 14:26
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (Brussels ETO), continued its efforts to promote Hong Kong’s wine and spirits industry as well as cultural and academic exchanges in Europe.
A trade and cultural promotion programme was conducted in Sicily, Italy, featuring meetings with institutional and industry representatives, including the President of Associazione Sicilia, board members of wine associations and representatives of wine consortiums, to explore collaboration opportunities in the wine and spirits sector. Brussels ETO representatives also met the Rector of the University of Palermo to promote academic and student exchanges with universities in Hong Kong.
On August 26 (Sicily time), Brussels ETO supported a performance by acclaimed Hong Kong pianist Rachel Cheung at the Palermo Classica International Festival 2026. Her programme featured works by Beethoven, Schumann, Tan Dun and Chopin. Around 200 people attended the concert and applauded her outstanding performance.
Speaking at a networking dinner on August 27 (Sicily time), the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, described Cheung’s performance at the festival as a fine example of how music can transcend geographical and cultural boundaries and bring people together. Ms Yung said Hong Kong and Italy shared a deep appreciation of arts and culture, and highlighted Hong Kong’s commitment to promoting cultural exchange and strengthening its position as an international cultural hub where East meets West.
The Palermo Classica International Festival is a renowned summer music festival in Sicily. This year, it features more than 60 international musicians and 40 events, spanning classical music, jazz, film scores, tango, opera and symphonic rock.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
SJ leads cross-professional delegation to Uzbekistan to deepen legal co-operation This morning, Mr Lam met the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr Akbar Djurabayevich Tashkulov. Mr Lam explained how Hong Kong’s advantages of being connected to the Chinese Mainland and the world, as well as its common law system, can assist Uzbek enterprises in expanding into Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and international markets. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by two sides to enhance collaboration between the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, including exchanges on legal frameworks and policies regarding dispute resolution, as well as sharing experiences in the application of AI technology in the legal sector. Mr Lam then attended a lunch hosted by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
In the afternoon, Mr Lam visited the Center for Islamic Civilization to learn about local efforts in cultural preservation, academic research and education promotion.
In the morning of August 27, Mr Lam and the delegation visited the Tashkent State University of Law and met with the senior management of the university to discuss legal talent training and exchanges.
Mr Lam then attended a lunch with the Mayor of Tashkent City, Mr Umurzakov Shavkat Buranovich, to introduce Hong Kong’s distinctive institutional advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle and explore opportunities for co-operation.
In the afternoon, Mr Lam and the delegation met with representatives from the Uzbek Chamber of Commerce for Chinese Entrepreneurs and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan. The Director of the Tashkent International Arbitration Centre, Ms Diana Bayzakova Hamwi, also attended the meeting. Mr Lam introduced Hong Kong’s unique advantages and learned about their specific demands for legal services. They also jointly explored ways to strengthen co-operation between the two places to support enterprises in leveraging Hong Kong’s professional services to expand into international markets.
Mr Lam and the delegation visited the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan to meet with Deputy Minister Mr Abidkhadjaev Umid Kutpitdinovich and the Advisor to the Minister, Mr Jasur Karshibaev yesterday (August 28). They also visited the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan to meet with Deputy Minister Mr Kasimov Ilzat Ablakhatovich. Mr Lam and the delegation shared Hong Kong’s professional experiences in areas such as investment, cross-border trade, commercial and dispute resolution under the common law system, and explored how Hong Kong could help advance the development of the Tashkent International Financial Centre.
In the afternoon, Mr Lam and the delegation visited and had a lunch with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr Yu Jun. They exchanged views on topics including consolidating Hong Kong’s role as an international legal hub and strengthening co-operation with international legal and dispute resolution institutions. Mr Lam then met with the Chairman of the Chamber of Advocates of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr Shukhrat Shavkatovich Sadikov, to discuss ways to deepen exchanges and collaboration between legal professionals in the two places.
In the evening, Mr Lam attended a Uzbekistan Independence Day celebration activity.
Mr Lam concluded his visit today and will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (August 30). Issued at HKT 20:29
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Deadline for Wang Fuk Court owners to accept Government’s acquisition plan expires tomorrow c/o Wang Fuk Court Property Rights Acquisition Limited 1/F, Block 2, Hong Kong Housing Authority Headquarters, 33 Fat Kwong Street, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, Hong KongIssued at HKT 16:00
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CHP reminds schools and parents to take measures to prevent communicable diseases in new school year “Schools are places where children gather to learn and play. Some young children have yet to fully master proper personal hygiene practices, making it easier for communicable diseases to spread through close contact on school campuses. As students return to school, the CHP has sent a letter through the Education Bureau to all schools in Hong Kong, reminding school management to take appropriate measures to reduce the risk of transmission of communicable diseases in schools. I would like to remind the public that Hong Kong is still in the midst of the influenza season. I hope that all schools and parents will actively participate in the 2026/27 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination School Outreach Programme (SIVSOP) and use the Electronic Consent Form via eHealth newly launched this year to complete the consent process early. This will allow schools to plan and arrange seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) activities earlier. If schools————————————-
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Following are the remarks by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, at a media session after attending a radio programme this morning (August 30):
Reporter: On the programme, you mentioned that Hong Kong’s achievements are not magic, but the result of careful assessment of local, national, and global developments. Could you share a specific example where you had to adjust your original policy plan because the global market shifted faster than expected, and how did you pivot from that? Also, there was talk about family offices, and the eight measures introduced at a time when global positioning was unclear. Looking ahead, how do you plan to differentiate Hong Kong from other regional competitors, especially in attracting high-net-worth families and digital asset innovators?
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury: As I mentioned on the programme, I think there are two key trends affecting everybody, economies and individuals together, globally and regionally. One is about geopolitics, a time when there is the increasing need for corporates, individuals, or even family offices to diversify their investments. The other key trend you highlighted is the trend of emerging technologies, AI and others. On these two, I would say what we have done so far is to ensure Hong Kong can leverage our advantages under “one country, two systems”, and to ensure that we continue to be a relevant, trusted, stable and safe investment hub for all these capital that are willing and ready to put into Hong Kong.
At the same time, apart from the original business that we have in terms of equity and bonds, what we should do is to diversify our portfolio in terms of service offering. That’s why this government has been embarking on an initiative to develop Hong Kong as an international gold trading centre, with the clearing system now in pilot operation. And apart from equities, we are also pursuing developments on the bond side, including the setup of a bond trading platform (the electronic fixed income and currency trading platform between the China Foreign Exchange Trade System and the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited). So all these are part and parcel of our overall strategy to continue enhancing our role as an international financial centre and to make Hong Kong continuously relevant in this changing era.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)