Hong Kong Journalists Association: Inland Revenue Department Demands Pre-payment of Nearly HKD 3 Million in Taxes
The Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) announced today that after unsuccessful communication with the Inland Revenue Department, it received a letter demanding pre-payment of HKD 730,000 (approximately NTD 2.95 million) in taxes within 2 days. The HKJA stated this follows a similar demand in 2024 for HKD 300,000.
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- 📰 Published: May 4, 2026 at 20:24
- 🔍 Collected: May 4, 2026 at 20:31 (7 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 4, 2026 at 21:24 (52 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Taipei, May 4th) Ronson Chan, chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, stated today that after unsuccessful communication with the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department, the Hong Kong Journalists Association received a letter from the tax department at the end of April, demanding pre-payment of HKD 730,000 (approximately NTD 2.95 million) in taxes within 2 days of receiving the letter. The Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department had previously demanded HKD 300,000 in pre-payment from the Hong Kong Journalists Association in 2024.
According to reports from Hong Kong media such as Ming Pao, Chan made the above remarks today at a press conference explaining the latest situation regarding tax demands on the HKJA and some Hong Kong media outlets.
According to the report, Chan stated that the Hong Kong Journalists Association has been communicating with the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department on this matter, but two proposed settlement amounts were not accepted by the tax department.
Chan questioned the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department's claim of "random checks," pointing out that those investigated incur costs and mental stress. The actual back taxes and penalties paid by the audited media outlets were far lower than the overall average in Hong Kong. Therefore, scrutinizing media tax affairs actually diverts time and resources from auditing truly high-net-worth individuals and large entities.
She cited examples: "Independent Media," an online media outlet accused by the tax department of underreporting taxes, spent approximately HKD 40,000 on an accounting audit, only to find no underreporting and no need to pay penalties. Another online media outlet, Hong Kong Free Press, also accused of underreporting, spent about HKD 100,000 on an accounting audit, ultimately finding only HKD 3,020 underpaid.
Chan said in May 2025 that since 2023, the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department has reviewed the tax affairs of at least 8 media outlets and 20 journalists or their families, demanding high pre-payments totaling HKD 1.7 million. (Editors: Chiu Kuo-chiang/Tang Pei-chun) 1150504
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(Central News Agency, Taipei, May 4th) Ronson Chan, chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, stated today that after unsuccessful communication with the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department, the Hong Kong Journalists Association received a letter from the tax department at the end of April, demanding pre-payment of HKD 730,000 (approximately NTD 2.95 million) in taxes within 2 days of receiving the letter. The Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department had previously demanded HKD 300,000 in pre-payment from the Hong Kong Journalists Association in 2024.
According to reports from Hong Kong media such as Ming Pao, Chan made the above remarks today at a press conference explaining the latest situation regarding tax demands on the HKJA and some Hong Kong media outlets.
According to the report, Chan stated that the Hong Kong Journalists Association has been communicating with the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department on this matter, but two proposed settlement amounts were not accepted by the tax department.
Chan questioned the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department's claim of "random checks," pointing out that those investigated incur costs and mental stress. The actual back taxes and penalties paid by the audited media outlets were far lower than the overall average in Hong Kong. Therefore, scrutinizing media tax affairs actually diverts time and resources from auditing truly high-net-worth individuals and large entities.
She cited examples: "Independent Media," an online media outlet accused by the tax department of underreporting taxes, spent approximately HKD 40,000 on an accounting audit, only to find no underreporting and no need to pay penalties. Another online media outlet, Hong Kong Free Press, also accused of underreporting, spent about HKD 100,000 on an accounting audit, ultimately finding only HKD 3,020 underpaid.
Chan said in May 2025 that since 2023, the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department has reviewed the tax affairs of at least 8 media outlets and 20 journalists or their families, demanding high pre-payments totaling HKD 1.7 million. (Editors: Chiu Kuo-chiang/Tang Pei-chun) 1150504
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The text, pictures, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.