eTax Hong Kong: The Best Guide to Simplify Your Online Tax Filing
- Published: 16 July 2025
- 10 min read
- Tax, Bookkeeping
Rodney Wong
Author
Rodney helps customers in Hong Kong navigate the details and benefits of our products and services, showing how technology can be a game changer for their business. A strong advocate for the power of the written word, he makes tech topics accessible, relevant, and, above all, practical—empowering entrepreneurs to pursue their big ideas.
Sherman Ieong
Reviewer
Sherman Ieong is our Accounting & Tax Manager based in Hong Kong. She is on hand to help our writers level-up our blog posts and guides by making sure the information is accurate, informative and inspiring. Osome’s all-in-one accounting services make managing tax effortless - and that’s exactly what Sherman ensures we do with our Hong Kong-focused blog content, applying her knowledge of day-to-day bookkeeping, monthly financial reporting, Profits Tax Returns and much more.
Need to file your Hong Kong taxes online? eTax Hong Kong is a user-friendly platform for individuals and businesses to file tax returns, make payments, and manage their tax records — all digitally.
Key Takeaways
- eTax is an online platform designed to streamline the tax filing process for various taxpayers, minimising paperwork and helping you comply.
- Key features include electronic submission of tax returns, a user-friendly interface across devices, and tools for accessing and managing forms and records.
- Osome provides tailored support to help users navigate eTax, helping you to comply with regulations and assisting with documents and payment management.
What Is eTax Hong Kong?
eTax Hong Kong, introduced in 2000, is an innovative online platform provided by Inland Revenue Department (IRD) of Hong Kong. This platform revolutionises the way taxpayers interact with tax authorities by offering a digital interface for filing taxes, making payments, and receiving electronic tax returns. The primary goal of eTax is to cater to the diverse needs of taxpayers by providing tailored services that enhance efficiency and reduce the reliance on physical paperwork, all in accordance with the Inland Revenue Ordinance from the Inland Revenue Department.
With an eTax services account, taxpayers can access a plethora of features. This online tax platform is designed to make the tax filing process more manageable, ultimately promoting adherence to tax regulations. Whether you’re an individual, a business, or a property owner, eTax offers a user-friendly and efficient solution to manage your tax matters, including filing a property tax return or interfacing with the business registration office.
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Key features of eTax Hong Kong
eTax Hong Kong boasts a range of features aimed at simplifying the tax filing process:
- Ability to submit tax returns electronically, facilitating faster processing and significantly reducing paper usage.
- User-friendly interface designed to be accessible on various devices.
- Seamless experience whether using a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Additionally, users can also use eTax to update personal information, apply for reliefs, and communicate securely with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) through an encrypted messaging system. The system also includes automatic pre-filling of income and deduction details from previously saved data, making the process of filing taxes quicker and less prone to errors. Users can also access eTax for additional features.
eTax allows users to view and manage their tax forms, access past tax records, and receive electronic tax bills.
Overall, eTax serves as a comprehensive online tax platform that enhances the efficiency and convenience of managing tax obligations, which is especially useful during tax season deadlines.
How eTax enhances tax compliance
The eTax platform plays a crucial role in promoting tax compliance by offering streamlined tax services that simplify the tax filing process. eTax keeps taxpayers informed about their tax obligations by giving easy access to their tax position, and by allowing them to receive e-alert messages from the Inland Revenue Department, and outstanding bills.
Moreover, organisations like Osome offer tailored support to help users navigate the complexities of the tax system. This support includes assistance with documentation and procedural steps, ensuring that users remain compliant with tax regulations while focusing on their core activities.
Eligibility for Using eTax Hong Kong
eTax is available to a wide range of taxpayers, including individuals, businesses, and property owners who meet specific eligibility criteria. Users need a valid Taxpayer Identification Number and must meet specific conditions set in the Inland Revenue Ordinance to use the eTax system.
This inclusivity ensures that a broad spectrum of taxpayers can benefit from the convenience and efficiency of the eTax platform.
Who can register for an eTax account?
Applicants must provide a valid Hong Kong identity card or equivalent identification, such as a personal digital certificate issued by a recognised provider, along with a Taxpayer Identification Number or a personal digital certificate, to register for an eTax services account. Both individuals and organisations can register for eTax services if they meet the set criteria, which may include having no pending tax position issues or income tax exemptions.
This ensures that only eligible taxpayers can access the eTax services.
Common restrictions and exceptions
Although eTax is available to all eligible taxpayers, some restrictions and exceptions apply. For instance, taxpayers who are applying for a full or partial exemption may face limitations on using the eTax system.
Additionally, individuals with outstanding tax issues or those who are self-employed may have different eligibility for online filing compared to employed individuals.
How to Set Up Your eTax Account in Hong Kong?
Setting up an eTax account in Hong Kong is a straightforward process that involves gathering required information, registering, and activating the account.
Setup Stage 🧭 | Description 📋 |
|---|---|
| Provide Personal Information📑 | Enter your identity card number, address, date of birth, and taxpayer identification details. These are required for identity verification and secure registration. |
| Complete Registration Online 🖥️ | Go to the official eTax website’s front page, fill out the registration form, and submit it. You will receive an activation email with your access code and steps to continue the setup. |
| Activate Your eTax Account 🔐 | Follow the instructions in the activation email, enter your eTax password and create login credentials for access to eTax. |
This section will guide you through each step to ensure a smooth setup experience, including how to use your access code.
Gathering required information
Before you begin the registration process, it’s important to gather all the necessary information for a digital certificate. You will need to provide personal details such as:
- Number of your Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID)
- Address
- Date of birth
- Taxpayer identification details
- Access code
This information is crucial for verifying your identity and ensuring a secure registration process with supporting documents and a recognised digital certificate.
Registration process
The registration process contains the following easy steps. Start by listing some forbidden forms of the keyword “mail” according to Rule 5. Then, find out if there’s a chance to incorporate the keyword without making any extra assumptions, according to Rule 2. Keep it short.
Begin the process by visiting the official eTax website and completing the registration form. After submission, you will receive an activation email with instructions to finalise your account setup.
Make sure to follow these instructions carefully to ensure successful registration.
Activating your eTax account
Once you receive your eTax password, follow these steps to finalise your account setup and access eTax:
- Follow the instructions in the activation email.
- Enter the eTax password.
- Confirm your provided information.
- Set up your login eTax password or access code and consider creating eTax password hints to complete the activation process securely.
This access code will enable you to start using your eTax services account for managing your tax obligations and receiving e-alert messages.
Filing Taxes Online with eTax Hong Kong
Filing taxes online with eTax Hong Kong is a convenient and efficient process. The platform allows you to:
- Access and submit tax forms
- Check property tax returns
- Make online payments
- Estimate amounts
- Request amendments to assessments
- Receive official notifications
This section will guide you through the steps involved in filing your taxes using online services.
Logging into your eTax account
Log in to your account by visiting the eTax GovHK website, clicking ‘Login eTax now,’ and entering your Taxpayer Identification Number and eTax password or mygovHK password.
For new users, input your Tax file number and eTax password to complete the login process.
Completing your tax return
When completing your tax return on eTax, ensure that all income sources are accurately reported to avoid errors in tax assessment. The platform provides tools to help you fill out the necessary forms and submit your tax return electronically, making the process efficient and straightforward.
Reviewing and submitting your tax return
Before submitting your tax return, it’s crucial to review all the details to minimise errors by the review date. eTax offers a summary page that allows you to verify all entered information and compute your estimated tax liability, considering any full or partial exemptions.
Reviewing is the key to online tax filing in Hong Kong. Once you are confident that all information is correct, submit your tax return electronically and receive a confirmation receipt.
Making Tax Payments Through eTax Hong Kong
Making tax payments through eTax Hong Kong is secure and convenient. The platform supports various payment methods, ensuring the timely settlement of your tax obligations.
eTax supports multiple payment methods for income and property tax return payments, including online banking transfers, credit card transactions, and bank ATMs. These options provide flexibility and convenience, allowing you to manage your payments efficiently.
Tracking your tax payment status is easy with the eTax platform. Payments can be processed through a 24-hour bill payment service known as PPS, and users can monitor their payment status within the eTax portal. This ensures that all transactions are accurately recorded and processed on time.
Accessing and Managing Electronic Tax Bills
Accessing and managing electronic tax bills is a key feature of the eTax platform. Users can:
- Log in to their eTax account profile
- View their bills
- Download their bills
- Print their bills
This section will provide detailed instructions on how to manage your electronic tax forms.
Viewing your tax bills online
Log in to your eTax services account profile to view your current position and any outstanding bills for the past three years.
Downloading and printing tax bills
Downloading and printing bills is simple with eTax. You can download your bills as PDF files directly from the platform. This allows for easy printing and record-keeping and serves as a backup authentication means.
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How Osome Can Assist with Tax Compliance?
Osome provides a comprehensive suite of services to simplify your company’s tax filing routine and comply with Inland Revenue Department (IRD) requirements. We take care of the entire tax filing process—from preparing accurate tax returns to submitting them on your behalf—so you can focus on running your business.
End-to-end tax filing support
Our expert team ensures your tax filings are accurate, timely, and fully compliant, including claims for double taxation relief where applicable. We handle the paperwork, keep track of deadlines, and apply relevant tax return rules to minimise errors and reduce risks.
Guidance for self-managed eTax users
If you prefer to file your tax returns yourself, we can refer you to the official Inland Revenue Department (IRD) eTax platform and provide general guidance on setting up your account and understanding your obligations. However, Osome does not assist with setting up or accessing personal eTax accounts directly, even in cases where double taxation relief may apply.
Hassle-free tax payments and reminders
With Osome, you’ll receive reminders for tax return deadlines, assistance in reviewing tax notices, and support in managing payments efficiently. Our goal is to streamline your tax return compliance process and give you peace of mind.
Summary
In summary, eTax Hong Kong is an invaluable tool for simplifying the tax filing process. From setting up your account to filing taxes online, making payments, and managing electronic bills, eTax offers a comprehensive solution for taxpayers. By utilising the services of Osome, you can further ensure that your obligations are met efficiently. Embrace the convenience of eTax and stay on top of your tax responsibilities with ease.