Hong Kong’s tax chief, Benjamin Chan, has issued an apology after a government watchdog revealed a significant error with the eTAX platform. Over 33,000 taxpayers did not submit their returns due to unclear wording on the online interface, potentially incurring penalties. The Inland Revenue Department will now process refunds or waive penalties for those affected by the system’s shortcomings. Chan acknowledged the issue and stated his department takes full responsibility for the confusion caused. The error highlights concerns regarding the usability of the government’s online tax filing system and the need for clearer instructions. This incident raises questions about the oversight of digital government services and their impact on citizens. Officials are working to prevent similar errors in the future.