In short
Hong Kong taxes only profit that arises in Hong Kong: 8.25% on the first HK$2m and 16.5% above. There is no VAT and nothing is withheld on dividends.
Facts checked November 2026
Hong Kong company formation
A Hong Kong private company limited by shares, filed online with the Companies Registry, with the secretary and office the law requires.
Limited companyfrom $1,299 one-time
- 3–7 days after KYC
- Territorial profits tax
- No VAT
At a glance
- Company types
- Private company limited by shares from $1,299
- People
- At least one shareholder and one director who is an individual. Directors don’t need to live in Hong Kong.
- Company secretary
- Mandatory, and must live in Hong Kong or be a Hong Kong company. Ours is included for year one.
- Registered office
- Must be in Hong Kong. Ours is included for year one.
- Business registration
- The certificate is issued with incorporation. HK$2,350 a year, included for year one.
- Controllers register
- Every company keeps a register of significant controllers, open to Hong Kong law enforcement.
- EU status
- Not on the EU blacklist or grey list as of 9 October 2026.
- Every year
- Annual return, business registration renewal, audited accounts and a profits tax return.
- Timeline
- 3–7 days after KYC
Taxes, explained simply
Your company pays
-
8.25% / 16.5%
Profits tax
8.25% on the first HK$2m of profit, 16.5% above. One company per group gets the lower rate.
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Territorial
What Hong Kong taxes
Only profit arising in Hong Kong. A claim that profit is sourced offshore is checked by the tax office.
-
None
VAT or sales tax
Hong Kong has no VAT, GST or sales tax.
-
FSIE
Foreign passive income
For group companies, foreign dividends, interest and gains received in Hong Kong are taxed unless substance tests are met.
You personally
-
0%
Tax withheld on dividends
Nothing is withheld on dividends or interest. Royalties paid abroad bear up to 4.95%.
-
None
Capital gains tax
Hong Kong generally doesn’t tax capital gains.
You’re still taxed where you live. Your home country may tax the company’s profit under its controlled foreign company rules, or treat it as resident if it is managed from there.
How it works
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Incorporate in Hong Kong
We file your articles and form NNC1 with the Companies Registry.
You get: Certificate of incorporation
-
Get business registration
Business Registration Certificate is issued with incorporation.
You get: BR certificate
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Appoint your secretary
A licensed Hong Kong secretary and office, required by law.
You get: Registered office
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Open bank or EMI
We introduce you to a bank or EMI and prepare your file.
You get: Bank-ready file
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Stay compliant
Annual return, BR renewal, audited accounts and profits tax return.
You get: Deadline reminders
What’s included
Fixed one-time prices. Government fees are shown before you pay.
Explorer
$1,299one-time
Hong Kong Ltd, gov. fees included
- Articles and Companies Registry filing
- Business registration and share certificates
- Year-one company secretary and registered office
- Compliance reminders
- Email support
Go
$1,699one-time
Hong Kong Ltd, gov. fees included
Everything in Explorer, plus:
- Bank or EMI introduction
- Company chop
- Certificate of incumbency
- WhatsApp support
Pro
$2,399one-time
Hong Kong Ltd, gov. fees included
Everything in Go, plus:
- Multi-bank support until an account opens
- Apostilled document set
- Accountant or auditor onboarding
- Priority support, same-day replies
What you’ll need
- Passport of every shareholder and director
- Proof of residential address for each of them
- Source of funds, such as a statement or bank reference
- Two company name choices, in English and optionally Chinese. We add Limited
- What the company will do, in plain words
Banking
- Go includes a bank or EMI introduction. Pro adds multi-bank support until an account opens.
- Traditional banks may ask you to visit Hong Kong. Approval is always the bank’s decision.
- On Explorer, add bank account help for $199.
Approval is always the bank’s or provider’s decision.
After formation: what’s due
| When | What |
|---|---|
| 42 days after each anniversary | Annual return to the Companies Registry, HK$105. Late fees start at HK$870 |
| Every year | Business registration renewal, HK$2,350 for certificates starting 1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2027 |
| About 18 months after incorporation | First profits tax return, with 3 months to file and audited accounts attached |
| From April every year | Profits tax return with audited financial statements |
| When details change | Update the significant controllers register |
| Every year | Secretary and office renewal, in our $999 annual plan from month 13 |
Hong Kong company formation FAQs
How long does it take to form a Hong Kong company?
The Companies Registry usually issues the certificate within hours of an online filing. Allow 3–7 days after your identity checks are approved.
Do I need a local director?
No. You need one director who is an individual, from any country. The company secretary must live in Hong Kong or be a Hong Kong company, and ours is included for year one.
How is a Hong Kong company taxed?
Only profit arising in Hong Kong is taxed: 8.25% on the first HK$2m and 16.5% above. There is no VAT and no tax withheld on dividends.
Does my company need an audit?
Yes. Every Hong Kong company, unless dormant, files audited financial statements with its profits tax return.
What do I file every year?
An annual return within 42 days of the anniversary, the business registration renewal and a profits tax return with audited accounts. We send reminders.
Who keeps the controllers register?
The company keeps its significant controllers register in Hong Kong and shows it to law enforcement on request. It isn’t filed publicly.
Is Hong Kong on the EU tax list?
No. Hong Kong is on neither the EU blacklist nor the grey list after the 9 October 2026 update.
Can I move my existing Hong Kong company to you?
Yes, for $290 plus the annual plan. We take over as secretary and registered office.
Sources (10)
Rates and fees from official and Big Four sources, with the date each was last reviewed.
- PwC: Hong Kong corporate income tax 22 Jul 2026
- PwC: Hong Kong other taxes 22 Jul 2026
- PwC: Hong Kong withholding taxes 22 Jul 2026
- PwC: Hong Kong tax administration 22 Jul 2026
- Companies Registry: incorporation FAQ In force
- Companies Registry: annual return of a private company In force
- Companies Registry: significant controllers register guideline In force
- IRD: business registration fee and levy table 2026/27
- IRD: completing profits tax returns In force
- KPMG: EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions 9 Oct 2026
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rates and fees change, and your own situation decides what applies. We are not a law firm; where a lawyer or licensed agent is needed, a local partner handles it.
