I refer to the letter 'Concerned' (South China Morning Post, February 10) regarding the use by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) of identity card numbers in the tax file numbers allocated to Hong Kong taxpayers.
The specific issue raised in the letter, which concerned the visibility of tax file numbers through the department's envelope windows, is a matter I have already brought to their attention.
I am pleased to report that the IRD has confirmed to me that arrangements have now been adopted to ensure that in future this will no longer occur.
The letter also raised a concern about the use of the identity card number as the main part of the tax file number and that the department's personnel, coming into contact with an individual's tax assessment form, would be able to know the individual's identity card number.
The IRD has confirmed that its staff are subject to the strict statutory secrecy obligations of the territory.
The general issue of the circumstances under which it is appropriate to use the identity card number for other purposes is something that will be addressed in the code of practice my office is in the process of developing.