Hong Kong and US Expat Taxes

Hong Kong, also known as the “Pearl of the Orient,” is one of the world’s leading financial centers. The city is extremely vibrant and an exciting one to live in.

If you are planning to become a U.S. expat in Hong Kong, or have been one for a while, it’s important to know the tax laws of the country and the potential impact on your U.S. tax return. Expat taxes can get complicated. Fortunately, we have outlined the key points below.

Photo by: Nicolas Vollmer

Taxation in Hong Kong

Let’s start by understanding who is required to pay taxes in Hong Kong. The country observes a territorial basis of taxation. Residency status has no significance. Individuals are taxed on Hong Kong-source income (except visitors that spend less than 60 days in the country).

The tax system in Hong Kong is progressive. The income tax rates are as follows:

• Employment Income: Progressive from 2% – 17%
• Taxation on Interests: Generally none
• Taxation on Dividends: Generally none
• Taxation on Capital Gains: None

Note that Hong Kong and the U.S. do not have a social security tax agreement in-place. This means that certain U.S. expats will be required to pay into both social security programs.

How Living in Hong Kong Impacts US Taxes

As a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (Greencard), you are required to file U.S. taxes even if you live in Hong Kong. Plus, if you have assets in foreign financial accounts (e.g., foreign banks), there are informational reports you may be required to file. For example, U.S. Expats Living in Hong Kong with $10,000 or more in foreign banks must file the FBAR (now known as FinCen 114).

Fortunately, the U.S. government provides various forms of tax relief that can lower or eliminate U.S. tax obligations

• The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion – It allows you to exclude a certain amount of income earned outside the U.S.
• The Foreign Housing Exclusion/Deduction – This one relates to additional income that can be excluded for household-related expenses tied to living abroad.
• The Foreign Tax Credit – It allows you to offset foreign taxes paid against U.S. tax obligations.

In most cases, the foreign earned income exclusion is preferable to the foreign tax credit if you live in a country with a lower tax rate than the U.S. (assuming your income is not above the applicable threshold). However, it’s a good idea to speak with an expat tax specialist to discuss the best application of these tax reliefs.

FATCA and Hong Kong

The U.S. government is increasingly interested in knowing about the foreign assets held by its citizens and residents. As a result, it has been busy inking deals with other countries whereby foreign financial institutions (FFIs) will be required to:

• Identify accounts of U.S. persons;
• Report certain information to the IRS regarding those accounts;
• Withhold a 30% tax on certain payments to non-participating FFIs and account holders unwilling to provide the required information

As of the publication of this article, roughly 80 countries have either signed intergovernmental agreements with the United States or are in discussions. Hong Kong and the U.S. do not yet have a FATCA agreement in-place. However, you should be aware of the implications given that the IRS intends to expand FATCA’s reach in the upcoming years.

If you have any questions regarding your U.S. expat taxes, contact us today. We are here to help.