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Submission of Employer's Return in Computerized Format
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From 1 April 2024 onwards, the Department CEASES TO ACCEPT submission of IR56B records through any removable storage device. For details of Employer's Return e-filing services, please visit the Department's website (Tax Information-Individuals/Businesses > Employers > Electronic Filing of Employer's Return). Please note that new requirements specifications for forms IR56E/G/M will be released in coming mid-July 2025 to facilitate the filing of the notification forms online. The Department will then cease to accept the application under the existing requirements specifications. However, employers who have obtained approval under the existing specifications can continue to submit the forms in accordance with the existing specifications until further notice. |
- Employer's Return e-Filing Services
- IR56 Forms Preparation Tool
- IRD IR56B Software (obsolete)
- Self-developed Software
- FAQ
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The IR56 Forms Preparation Tool can be used to prepare the data file of annual IR56B starting from March 1 each year. |
The IR56 Forms Preparation Tool (“Preparation Tool”) is a web-based application developed by the Department to provide a convenient way for employers to prepare up to 2,000 sets of IR56B or IR56F record in one single data file. The Preparation Tool can be used by employers without any installation process.
Employers can designate a person to use the Preparation Tool to prepare the IR56B or IR56F data file online anytime. The data file so prepared can be submitted to the Department either via the “Online Mode” (Login of the eTAX / "iAM Smart+" Account by an Authorized Signer is required) or the “Mixed Mode” (Login of the eTAX / "iAM Smart+" Account is NOT required) of the ER e-Filing Services. Under the Mixed Mode, employers can designate a person to upload the data file to the Department. After successful uploading of the data file, the Authorized Signer only needs to sign and submit the 1-page (i.e. Cover Page) Control List (with Transaction Reference Number and QR code) generated by the system together with paper Form BIR56A (if applicable) in order to complete the submission process.
To facilitate the distribution of the IR56 prepared by the Preparation Tool to employees, employers can either print the IR56 or export a soft copy of the forms.
For details on how to use the Preparation Tool, please read User Guide of IR56 Forms Preparation Tool.
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The Department had already announced earlier that we CEASED TO ACCEPT the use of IRD IR56B Software for preparation and submission of the data file of annual IR56B starting from 1 April 2023 onwards. Due to system enhancement, eTAX will further cease to support: (1) the import of employee’s personal particulars from the data file generated by the IRD IR56B Software to the enhanced IR56 Forms Preparation Tool (2) the submission of the data file generated by the IRD IR56B Software via Employer’s Return e-Filing Services. Employers who are still using the IRD IR56B Software are requested to note that they must switch to use the IR56 Forms Preparation Tool OR enhance their program in accordance with the new requirements specification and submit the testing file through the e-application of electronic services for the Department’s approval on or before 15 July 2025. If employers are required to switch to use the IR56 Forms Preparation Tool, the data import must be completed on or before 15 July 2025. Employers can refer to FAQ 38 to know more about the detailed steps for migrating their employees’ personal particulars from the data file of the IRD IR56B Software (Version 4.1 and 4.2) to the IR56 Forms Preparation Tool. Note: The Department accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss or damage which may be incurred by the use of the IRD IR56B Software or IR56 Forms Preparation Tool. |
Self-developed Software (Softcopy or printed in A4)
| Please note that new requirements specifications for forms IR56E/G/M will be released in coming mid-July 2025 to facilitate the filing of the notification forms online. The Department will then cease to accept the application under the existing requirements specifications. However, employers who have obtained approval under the existing specifications can continue to submit the forms in accordance with the existing specifications until further notice. |
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Employers can develop their own software in accordance with the Department's requirements specifications to facilitate the filing of the Employer's Return / Notification in computerized format (softcopy / printout). However, employers must obtain written approval before they can file the respective IR56 in computerized format to the Department by using the Self-developed Software.
Requirements Specifications：
Please select and click to browse the relevant requirements specifications of various forms:
| Requirements Specification | Submission in |
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| IR56B | Softcopy |
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<New Version will be released in mid-July 2025> |
Printout in A4 |
| IR56F | Softcopy |
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<New Version will be released in mid-July 2025> |
Printout in A4 |
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<New Version will be released in mid-July 2025> |
Softcopy |
The IR56B or IR56F data files in XML format prepared by approved Self-developed Software can be submitted via the ER e-Filing Services (Online Mode and Mixed Mode) with a limit of 5,000 sets of IR56 in one data file in each transaction. Please click here for detail.
Please note that the Department does not accept an application for submission of the IR56F or IR56M in computerized printout. However, employers who have obtained approval under the old requirements specifications can continue to submit the Forms IR56F or IR56M printed by the approved Self-developed Software until further notice. However, employers are encouraged to make changes to their software so as to comply with the above requirements specifications. A fresh approval is required.
For enquiries, please contact the Department at telephone number 183 5310 during office hours at 8:15 am to 12:15 pm and 1:15 pm to 5:30 pm from Monday to Friday.