How Do I Withdraw My MPF Before Leaving Hong Kong?
Thinking of relocating and moving your business out of Hong Kong? Thankfully, this doesn’t mean that years of your hard work has been washed down the drain. It can be a convenient and fuss-free process to withdraw your Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF).
By the way, if you need any company secretarial assistance in Hong Kong as you wind up your company in Hong Kong, we’re here to help.
What is the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF)?
Deep dive into the legal obligations around MPF.
As an employer, you might need to know how to open an account and make MPF contributions for your employees.
In a nutshell, employees in the Hong Kong workforce get a portion of their paycheck deducted by the employer, and this amount is credited into the Mandatory Provident Fund. This fund is meant for people to use when they grow old and have completed their careers. They can withdraw MPF when they reach the retirement age of 65.
What if I want to move somewhere else before 65, what happens to my MPF?
Don’t worry, the money left in your Mandatory Provident Fund can be withdrawn. If you will be leaving Hong Kong permanently, you can withdraw your MPF before reaching the retirement age of 65.
However, you’ll have to follow these 3 steps:
1. Prove that you have left or are about to leave Hong Kong on a long-term basis, without intending to return for employment or resettle as a permanent resident
If you’ve decided to leave Hong Kong permanently, declare yourself as a foreigner and get your MPF money back between 1-2 months before your date of departure. A documentary proof that you are allowed to reside in a place outside Hong Kong is necessary to be prepared before lodging your withdrawal.
However, since there are no exact wordings for documents needed, we suggest you prepare these documents:
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Note
You may be required to make a declaration or oath in the Home Affairs Department regarding your departure.
Elizabeth has decided to wind up her events management company in Hong Kong and venture into the United Kingdom market instead. Having worked in Hong Kong for 5 years now, she has built up a significant amount of funds in her Mandatory Provident Fund. She then applied for a place of residence in the United Kingdom and filed the necessary documents with the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority. She was able to prove that she was permitted to reside in a place outside Hong Kong, her application was approved and she was able to withdraw her Mandatory Provident Fund.
2. Notify the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority
Notify the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) with the required documents:
- Identity document
- Statutory declaration Form MPF(S) – W(SD2)
- Claim a form for payment of accrued benefits on the grounds of Permanent Departure from Hong Kong Form MPF(S) – W(O
- Documentary proof that you are allowed to reside in a place outside Hong Kong (see Point 1 for a suggested list of documents)
3. Submit tax returns
If you're an employee, obtain the file IR56G from your employer (refer here for a specimen of a completed form) and check with them the requirement for tax clearance.
Your employer will also withhold all your payments for a one-month period from the date of the IR56G submission, or until the MPFA issues the Letter of Release.
An Individual Tax Return will be sent to you for tax clearance. Once you've submitted the tax returns, the MPFA will issue a return to you upon receiving your application.
4. If you need to speed up the process
If you’re in a hurry to relocate and need to make it quicker, call the MPFA directly. They will ask you to come in person to the Inland Revenue Department with your Form IR56G file, payslips, and supporting documents for all tax deductions to the IRD, and they will request for the tax filing for tax clearance.
Conclusion
The entire process to withdraw your Mandatory Provident Fund is not a complicated one, but be sure to remain clear, cool, and compliant and adhere to the outlined requirements so you can enjoy your MPF funds.
If you have any questions about withdrawing your MPF, simply drop us a chat and we’d be more than happy to help.
At this stage, maybe you’re thinking of venturing into the United Kingdom, especially for the British National (Overseas) (BNO) passport holders, or, you might perhaps be thinking about setting up a company in Singapore from Hong Kong but are unsure of the company structures to choose from. No matter what your plans for the future are, East river offers you business support in Hong Kong, Singapore and the UK. From incorporation to company secretary services, from accounting to tax services, we’re here to help you out.
