Levy
Leviable instruments are conveyances on sale as defined under section 2(1) of the Stamp Duty Ordinance (Cap.117) (SDO) which are chargeable with stamp duty under head 1(1) in the First Schedule to the SDO (leviable instruments). A conveyance on sale generally means every conveyance whereby any immovable property, upon the sale thereof, is transferred to or vested in a purchaser. You are advised to seek professional advice on the kinds of instruments that are leviable under the PMSO.
For the avoidance of doubt, an assignment of lease or tenancy, including an assignment of a short term lease or tenancy, in return for money consideration is regarded as a “conveyance on sale” chargeable with stamp duty under head 1(1) of the First Schedule to the SDO and therefore is a leviable instrument.
The following are examples of instruments relating to transfer of immovable property in Hong Kong which are NOT leviable because they are not “leviable instruments” as defined under section 51 of the PMSO –
- Conveyance operating as voluntary dispositions inter vivos (commonly known as “deed of gift”)
- Conveyance relating to inheritance of estate (regardless of whether there is any will)
- Deed of exchange (not involving any conveyance on sale) of an immovable property for another immovable property
The collection of levy is very similar to that of stamp duty. The Stamp Office of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) will collect the levy on behalf of the Property Management Services Authority (PMSA) together with the stamp duty when a conveyance on sale which is leviable is submitted to the IRD for stamping. Stamping can be made either electronically or via paper applications submitted to the Stamp Office of the IRD.
In general, matters relating to conveyances on sale and payment of stamp duty etc. are handled by solicitor firms. As both stamp duty and levy are collected by the Stamp Office, payers can arrange for both payments through solicitor firms.
If the stamping request is lodged by e-Stamping, payment of stamp duty and levy can be made online in one go via the GovHK website by PPS, VISA Card or Mastercard. Alternatively, payers may print out the payment notice of stamp duty and levy and make payment at post offices, the Stamp Office or convenience stores, etc.
As regards stamping applications by paper forms, separate cheques for the payment of stamp duty and levy shall be submitted to the Stamp Office of the IRD.
Transferees under leviable instruments are liable to pay the levy within a prescribed period in accordance with the PMSO.
According to sections 57 and 58 of the PMSO, late payment or non-payment of levy are subject to a penalty, the amount of which ranges from two to ten times of the original amount of the levy, depending on the length of delay. If there is more than one transferee under the instrument, they are all jointly and severally liable to pay the penalty.
The PMSA may recover the amount of any levy or penalty payable as a civil debt due to it in accordance with section 60 of the PMSO, or register a certificate of levy and penalty in the Land Registry in accordance with section 59 of the PMSO.
According to section 58(1)(b) of the PSMO, the amount of the penalty is –
- double the amount of the levy if the levy is paid not later than one month after the expiry of the payment period;
- four times the amount of the levy if the levy is paid later than one month but not later than two months after the expiry of the payment period; or
- ten times the amount of the levy in any other cases.