Hong Kong and Macao buyers of brand-new residences in Hengqin were able to make deed tax payments online as of March 10. The entire process takes 10 minutes on a mobile phone.

Previously, Hong Kong and Macao residents had to present ID cards in person when signing a real estate purchase contract. They also had to complete real-name authentication of the Exit-Entry Permit for Travel to and from Hong Kong and Macao. Matters were handled at service desks because computer systems could not automatically match up the two identity documents.

Zhuhai tax authorities optimized the new-residence trading system to synchronize the two documents with strict controls on system safety and data accuracy. The tax payment process was directly upgraded from staff authentication at service desks to automatic system authentication, which eliminates much hassle for those payers.

Currently, more than 8,000 Hengqin residences have been purchased by Macao residents, and increasing numbers from Hong Kong and Macao will live, work, and purchase housing in the area as construction of the Deepened Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Zone progresses. The Hengqin Taxation Bureau intends to further improve service and solve the hard-nut problems confronted by taxpayers.

Hengqin New Area Taxation Bureau's Tax Service Area for Hong Kong and Macao residents [Photo courtesy WeChat account: hengqinxinqu]