Raymond Lam
Senior Tax Education Specialist
Demystifying Hong Kong tax filing for working professionals
14 Years in Hong Kong Tax Education
Raymond began his career in 2010 as a junior tax consultant at a mid-sized accounting firm in Central. He spent six years developing deep expertise in individual income tax matters and IRD regulations before making a career shift. Here’s the thing — he realized most Hong Kong employees had no idea how their tax obligations actually worked.
That frustration became his mission. In 2018, Raymond joined TaxWise Hong Kong Limited to focus entirely on tax education and public outreach. He’s guided over 8,000 Hong Kong residents through salary tax calculations, personal allowance optimization, and tax return preparation. He’s conducted more than 150 workshops for corporate clients and community groups across Hong Kong.
Raymond holds a Bachelor of Accountancy degree from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and professional certifications in tax advisory from the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. But his real credential? He’s helped thousands of working people file their taxes correctly without hiring an accountant.
Areas of Expertise
Raymond’s knowledge covers every aspect of Hong Kong personal taxation for employees and self-employed individuals
Salaries Tax Explained
How salary tax brackets work, calculating your tax liability, understanding tax bands, and what you actually owe each year. No jargon, just the numbers that matter.
Personal Allowances & Deductions
Maximizing your personal allowances, spousal and dependent allowances, home loan interest deductions, and contributions to approved schemes. Most people leave money on the table here.
IRD Tax Return Preparation
Filing your annual tax return correctly, understanding Form IR56B, meeting IRD deadlines, and what happens if you miss them. Step-by-step guidance that actually makes sense.
IRD Compliance & Obligations
Your legal obligations as a Hong Kong resident, documentation requirements, record-keeping standards, and what the IRD actually expects from you throughout the year.
Self-Employment Tax Filing
If you’re freelance or run your own business, Raymond helps navigate self-employed taxation, business deductions, profit calculations, and keeping the IRD happy with proper records.
Tax Planning & Strategy
Legal tax optimization strategies, timing considerations for different income sources, and long-term planning approaches that reduce your tax burden without cutting corners.
“Every working person should understand their tax obligations without needing to hire an accountant for a straightforward return. Tax doesn’t have to be complicated, and most of the confusion comes from jargon, not the actual numbers.”
Real People, Real Results
“I’ve been filing my own taxes for years and thought I was doing it right. Raymond’s workshop showed me I wasn’t claiming half my allowances. Fixed three years of returns and got a refund I didn’t expect. Wish I’d learned this earlier.”
“Started freelancing last year and had no idea how to handle taxes. Raymond’s guide on self-employed filing made the whole thing actually manageable. Didn’t feel like I needed to hire an accountant after going through it.”
“Our company brought Raymond in to do a workshop on tax for employees. Honestly thought it’d be boring. But he actually explained things clearly without the corporate speak. Half the team came up afterward with specific questions he answered.”
Articles & Guides
Raymond regularly writes in-depth guides on Hong Kong tax topics. Start here if you’re trying to understand a specific area.
Salaries Tax Explained: What Every Employee Needs to Know
Complete breakdown of how Hong Kong salary tax works, tax bands, calculations, and what you’re actually paying each year.
Read articlePersonal Allowances and Tax Deductions You Shouldn’t Miss
Comprehensive guide to all personal allowances available in Hong Kong, dependent allowances, and deductions most people overlook.
Read articleFiling Your Annual IRD Tax Return: A Step-by-Step Guide
Detailed walkthrough of the IRD tax return process, what forms you need, how to complete them, and submission deadlines.
Read articleCommon Tax Filing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Real mistakes Raymond sees people make every year, and exactly how to avoid them when preparing your own tax return.
Read article