Form BIRS4 Expenditure on Energy Efficient Building Installation
How to claim tax deductions for energy efficient building installations using Form BIRS4 in Hong Kong.
BIRS4 at a glance
- Official title
- Expenditure on energy efficient building installation
- Issued by
- Inland Revenue Department
We link the issuing authority's own index rather than hosting a copy, because the form is revised there and an out-of-date copy is worse than none.
Form BIRS4 Expenditure on Energy Efficient Building Installation
Form BIRS4 claims the enhanced tax deduction under section 16I of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112). This provision grants a 100% capital allowance for qualifying energy efficient building installations in the year the expenditure is incurred. File the form with the Profits Tax Return (BIR51) and the tax computation to substantiate the claim.
Qualifying Installations Under Section 16I
A qualifying installation improves a building's energy efficiency. The Inland Revenue Department recognises these installations:
- Lighting installations: Energy-efficient lighting systems, sensors and controls that reduce electricity consumption.
- Air-conditioning installations: Energy-efficient chillers, variable refrigerant flow systems and associated controls.
- Electrical installations: Energy-efficient transformers, power factor correction equipment and energy management systems.
- Lift and escalator installations: Regenerative drives and energy-efficient motors.
- Building management systems: Centralised control systems that monitor and optimise energy use across building services.
The installation must be fixed to a building you own and use to produce chargeable profits. Repairs or maintenance are excluded; the deduction is for capital expenditure only.
BIRS4 Energy Efficient Building Deduction
The deduction is 100% of the capital expenditure on qualifying installations, claimed in the year of assessment the expense is incurred. To claim, you must:
- Incur capital expenditure on a qualifying installation.
- Own the building where it is installed.
- Use the building to produce chargeable profits.
- Complete Form BIRS4 with full expenditure details.
- Submit the form with the Profits Tax Return (BIR51) for that year.
The deduction is capped at the actual capital expenditure. It may be clawed back if the installation is disposed of or ceases qualifying use within a specified period.
Form BIRS4 Green Building Tax Claim
Form BIRS4 requires specific information to substantiate your claim. Provide:
- Building details: Address, description and ownership.
- Installation details: Type, installation date and description of its energy-efficient features.
- Expenditure details: Total capital expenditure, broken down by installation category.
- Supporting documentation: Invoices, contracts and certification confirming the installation’s energy efficiency.
The Inland Revenue Department may request more evidence to verify compliance with legislative standards. Retain all original documents for at least seven years after the relevant year of assessment.
Inland Revenue BIRS4 Guide
The department’s guide details how to complete the form and calculate the deduction. Complete the form in duplicate; retain one copy. The expenditure must be capital in nature. Claim the deduction in the tax computation accompanying the BIR51. If the building has mixed-use, apportion the deduction reasonably. File electronically through the Business Tax Portal, tagging the tax computation and financial statements in iXBRL format.
The deduction applies only to expenditure incurred on or after section 16I’s commencement date, introduced to encourage green building investment.
Energy Efficient Installation Tax Form
File Form BIRS4 with your annual profits tax return. For paper filing, submit the hard copy with BIR51 and supporting documents. For electronic filing, upload the form through the Business Tax Portal. Mandatory electronic filers must tag the tax computation and financial statements in iXBRL format.
Download the current form from the Inland Revenue Department website. Use the latest version, as the department updates the format and instructions periodically.
Information Required on Form BIRS4
Provide this information to complete Form BIRS4 correctly:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Taxpayer details | Name, business registration number and tax file number |
| Building details | Address, lot number and description |
| Installation type | Category (lighting, air-conditioning, electrical, lift/escalator, building management system) |
| Date of installation | Completion and commissioning date |
| Capital expenditure | Total amount, broken down by category |
| Supporting documents | List of attached invoices, contracts and certification |
The taxpayer or an authorised representative must sign the form. For corporations, a director or the company secretary must sign.
Filing the Form with the Profits Tax Return
File Form BIRS4 with the Profits Tax Return (BIR51) for the year you incur the expenditure. It is a supplementary form, not a standalone filing. Attach a schedule to the tax computation showing the deduction calculation, including the expenditure breakdown and any apportionment for mixed-use buildings.
Electronic Filing Through the Business Tax Portal
Submit Form BIRS4 electronically through the Business Tax Portal. Log in with your eTAX account, select the relevant year and BIR51 return, and upload the completed BIRS4 as a supporting document. Tag the financial statements and tax computation in iXBRL format before submitting.
Electronic filing is mandatory for in-scope multinational enterprise groups from assessment year 2025-26. The department intends to achieve full electronic filing by 2030.
Common Errors When Completing Form BIRS4
Avoid these common errors:
- Claiming for revenue expenditure on repairs or maintenance.
- Failing to apportion the deduction for mixed-use buildings.
- Submitting without supporting documentation.
- Using an outdated form version.
- Filing separately from the Profits Tax Return (BIR51).
The Inland Revenue Department may reject an unsubstantiated claim. Ensure all information is accurate and complete.
Retention of Records
Retain all records related to the expenditure for at least seven years after the relevant year of assessment. This includes invoices, contracts, installer certification and any department correspondence. The department may review the claim later and request these documents. Inadequate records can lead to the deduction being disallowed and penalties imposed.
How to fill out Form BIRS4
Page one of the official form. Every field named below appears on it in the same order.
Section 1: Taxpayer Identification
Name of taxpayer (Block letters)
Enter the full legal name of the person or entity claiming the deduction. Use block capitals. This should match the name registered with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).
Business registration number
Enter the 8-digit business registration number. This is found on the Business Registration Certificate issued by the IRD.
Tax file number
Enter the taxpayer’s tax file number (e.g., the individual’s HKID number or the entity’s tax reference number). This is the number used on the corresponding profits tax return.
Year of assessment
State the year of assessment for which the expenditure is claimed (e.g., “2023/24”). This must match the year shown on the profits tax return to which this form is attached.
Section 2: Details of the Building Installation
Description of the building installation
Provide a clear description of the energy efficient installation (e.g., “LED lighting system”, “variable speed drive for air handling unit”, “insulated glazing”). Do not use vague terms like “various equipment”.
Location of the installation
Enter the full address of the building where the installation is located. If the building has a name, include it. This must be the same address used in the taxpayer’s records.
Date the installation was completed
Enter the date (DD/MM/YYYY) on which the installation was physically completed and ready for use. This date must fall within the year of assessment claimed. The IRD may cross-check this against invoices or contracts.
Section 3: Expenditure Claimed
Total amount of expenditure incurred
Enter the total cost directly attributable to the energy efficient building installation. This includes materials, labour, and installation fees. Exclude any amounts that have been or will be reimbursed by a third party.
Amount previously claimed under this section
If the taxpayer has claimed a deduction for the same installation in an earlier year of assessment, enter that amount here. If no prior claim, enter “0”. This prevents double claiming.
Amount now claimed
This is the amount being claimed in the current year. It must not exceed the total expenditure minus any amount previously claimed. The IRD will verify that this figure is consistent with the supporting invoices.
Section 4: Declaration
I declare that the information given above is true, correct and complete
The form must be signed and dated by the taxpayer or an authorised representative. For a company, the signature must be by a director, secretary, or other authorised officer. The date of signature must be on or before the date the corresponding profits tax return is filed.
Important note
The IRD may require supporting documents (e.g., invoices, contracts, energy efficiency certificates). Do not attach them unless asked. Keep them for at least 6 years after the year of assessment.
Download the current form - always file the version on the issuing authority's site, not a copy.
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