What Is Form BIR57? 

Form BIR57 is very important in Hong Kong’s tax system where taxpayers who have income from jointly owned or co-owned property can report their income.  This is one of the tax filing requirements to submit to the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) under tax laws in Hong Kong. 

Property tax is chargeable on income generated from letting of landed properties and the owner of such properties has to report this income. In the case of share ownership by the multiple owners, every co-owner should submit the portion of rental income received by him or her using form BIR57. This form ensures all the owners are compliant with their tax obligations even if they own only a fraction of the property. 

Key Takeaways for Form BIR57

Report All Rental Income

All co-owners must report their share of rental income using Form BIR57, ensuring accurate tax filings.

Include All Property Income

Form BIR57 should cover all income from the property, including rent receivable, even if not yet collected.

Deduct Irrecoverable Rent

If rent becomes irrecoverable, it can be deducted from the assessable income, but any later recovery is taxed.

Mind the Deadlines

Filing Form BIR57 within one month is crucial. Late submissions may incur penalties from the IRD.

Ensure Legal Compliance

Properly submitting Form BIR57 helps avoid legal issues, ensuring compliance with Hong Kong’s tax requirements.

What To Include In Form BIR57?

The assessable income stated in Form BIR57 includes the rent receivable regardless of whether it has been collected and any other income that the property generates. But irrecoverable rent can be deducted from the assessable value in the year it becomes irrevocable and any amount which is received later is subject to tax in the recovery year.

Submission Deadlines and Penalties 

Form BIR57 must be filed within one month from the date of issue but the due date can be extended for another 2 weeks for online submissions. It is important for the property owners to meet the deadlines to avoid penalties or complications with the IRD. 

The Importance of Compliance 

If taxpayers fail to use the Form BIR57 in compliance with the tax filing requirements, they will be subjected to the legal proceedings by the Commissioner of Inland Revenue. Consequently, it is crucial for the co-owners of the property in Hong Kong to provide the proper account of the receipt of the rental income to meet the tax requirements.

Form BIR57 is used to ensure that all co-owners of a property are compliant with their property tax obligations. A proper usage of this particular form prevents legal complications and makes a perfect assessment of the taxes for each co-owner.

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