Can my housing allowance go to my partner or wife?

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  1. #1

    Can my housing allowance go to my partner or wife?

    I am a cabin crew and will be moving into my girlfriends flat (she owns it). We would share the cost of the mortgage as I want her to receive my company housing allowance of around HKD6000 per month rather than lose it.

    I have two questions:

    1. Does anyone think my company (a big Hong Kong airline!) would pay her as she is my girl friend?

    2. Also does anyone anyone think I could ask the company to pay her my housing allowance if she became my wife?

    Thanks all!


  2. #2

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    This is so specific to the T&Cs of CX's salary packages that you really need to ask the specialists. I suggest you try the Fragrant Harbour forum over at PPRUNE.


  3. #3

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    why don't you make it easy and just "lease" the flat from your girlfriend?


  4. #4

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    Quote Originally Posted by bigjimmy:
    why don't you make it easy and just "lease" the flat from your girlfriend?
    agreed! sometimes its just easier to do something "thinking out of the box" than it is to deal with all the admin and bureacracy of big companies and housing and tax etc etc...

  5. #5

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    Quote Originally Posted by UK/HKboy:
    agreed! sometimes its just easier to do something "thinking out of the box" than it is to deal with all the admin and bureacracy of big companies and housing and tax etc etc...
    Will this create an income tax problem for her?

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by Football16:
    Will this create an income tax problem for her?
    it depends how your company gives you the money. if she has to register that you pay rent to her, then she would have to pay tax on that. if the company just gives you the extra money and yo ucan spend where you see fit, then you can just give it back to her in cash or chocolates or diamonds and she wouldnt need to pay tax.

  7. #7

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    1. Pay her as part of your housing allowance ok, but you need to set up a lease arrangement. Advantage is that instead of being taxable on HK$72k ayear, you are taxed at 10% of your total emoluments, so if earn over HK$720k/yr which I suspect you do, no difference to you.
    Disadvantage she has to pay tax on that at effective of 12% assuming she has other income over the personal allowance of HK$108k.
    If the housing allowance can be increased, might be beneficial to you. If not, maybe better to take cash in lieu, in which case yo are paying 15% on the amount you receive as housing allowance.

    2. Not relevant who you lease from as long as its close to market rate subject to company policy.