2024-2025 the Business Registration Levy HK$220 will be waived per annum. While the registration fee will no longer be discounted. Starting from 1 April, 2024, the Business Registration fee is HK$2200.
How much you have to pay in 2024-2025?
Checking back, the calculating of 2023-2024, the amount of total business registration fee HK$2000, plus levy HK$150. Total of HK$2150. While in 2024-2025, the update fee is HK$2200 plus levy of HK$0. The total amount is HK$2200. So, if the commencement date of your company is on or after 1st April. then then you have to pay extra HK$50 when renewal of your registration.
Hong Kong is one of the top cities World-wide to set up businesses. Getting started is relatively quick and easy, setup costs are low and the overall environment encourages businesses to thrive. Centre O is here to assist and to facilitate businesses in both Hong Kong and China.
Reasons for being relatively easy to set up businesses in Hong Kong
Simple Registration Process
Hong Kong has a reputation of a straightforward and efficient business registration process. Moreover, the Companies Registry which oversees business registrations, offers online services that streamline the registration process. In fact, if all required document is ready, the business can complete within 3-5 days.
Minimal Regulatory Hurdles
Hong Kong has a business-friendly regulatory environment with relatively few bureaucratic hurdles compared to many other jurisdictions. The city operates under the principle of “positive non-interventionism”. In short, the government intervenes minimally in the affairs of businesses unless necessary. This policy fosters a conducive environment for entrepreneurship.
Low Taxes and Duties
Hong Kong imposes low taxes on businesses with a simple and transparent tax system. For example, corporate profit tax is capped at 16.5% and there is no value-added tax (VAT) or sales tax. Additionally, there are capital gain taxes or withholding taxes on dividends and interest. These favourable tax policies attract investors to set up businesses in Hong Kong.
Strategic Location and Access to markets
Hong Kong’s strategic location in Asia provides businesses with access to the vast Chinese market and other Asia-Pacific markets. Its well-developed infrastructure, efficient transportation networks, and world-class logistics facilities further facilitate business operations and trade. For instance, Hong Kong has extensive traffic networks connected to Mainland China and all over the world.
Strong Legal Framework
Hong Kong has a robust legal framework based on the rule of law, providing businesses with a predictable and stable environment for operations. Contracts are enforceable, and intellectual property rights are protected, giving confidence to entrepreneurs and investors.
Access to Talent
Hong Kong boasts a highly skilled and diverse workforce, with proficiency in multiple languages, including English and Chinese. The city’s universities produce a steady stream of qualified graduates, and its open immigration policies allow businesses to attract talent from around the world.
Supportive Government Initiatives
The Hong Kong government actively supports entrepreneurship and innovation through various initiatives, including funding schemes, incubation programs, and resources for startups. These initiatives help entrepreneurs navigate the business landscape and access the support they need to succeed.
As you can see, the combination of the rules and regulations, policies and environment, all makes Hong Kong as an attractive destination for entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses quickly and efficiently.
Everyone knows there are 365 days in a year. Besides the weekend off, an employee does have annual leave. Also, paid annual leave is part of the compensation. Then what should an employer be aware of?
Who can entitle a Paid-Leave?
According to the Employment Ordinance, employees who have been employed under a continuous contract for 12 months are entitled to annual leave with pay. An employee’s entitlement to paid annual leave increases progressively from seven days to a maximum of 14 days according to his length of service.
Can an employer pay in lieu of Leave?
According to the Employment Ordinance, regardless of whether an employee is entitled to holiday pay, an employer should grant his employee a statutory holiday, or arrange an “alternative holiday” or “substituted holiday”. An employer must not make any form of payment to the employee in lieu of granting a holiday. In other words, “buy-out” of a holiday is not allowed. However, an employee may choose to accept payment in lieu of the part of his leave entitlement which exceeds 10 days.
For example: An employee who is entitled to 12 days of paid annual leave may choose to take only 10 days of paid annual leave and accept payment from the employer in lieu of 2 days of annual leave.
How to calculate if paid annual leave is converted into the payment?
The daily rate of annual leave pay is a sum equivalent to the average daily wages earned by an employee in the 12-month period.
Current staff
Employment
More than 12 months
Previous 12 months average daily wage X no. of annual leave
Less than 12 months
Employment period average daily wage x no. of annual leave
For example: Ada worked for your company more than a year. And her total salary is HK$200,000 (Included salary and commission etc). Total work days are 240. If Amy takes 7 days annual leave. The calculation is
HK$200,000 / 240 x 7 = HK$5,833.33
Termination of Employment Contract
Period of Employment
Annual Leave Entitlements
Less than 3 months
0
3-12 months
Work days/365 x Entitled Annual Leave in the current leave year
12 months, less than 3 months in the current leave year
Annual leave not yet taken
12 months, 3-12 months in the current leave year
Work days/365 x No. of Annual leave + Annual leave not yet taken
What is the consequence if an employer denies an employee to take annual leave?
An employer who does not allow employees to take annual leave is liable to prosecution. And, upon conviction, to a fine of $50,000.
The territorial principle is the fundamental to the taxation of profit tax in Hong Kong. Thus, the profits which arise in or are derived from Hong Kong are liable to profits tax. Otherwise, you can claim of tax exemption on the ground of “Income not sourced in Hong Kong”. That is, may be treated as offshore sourced and non-taxable in Hong Kong.
Does your company’s income liable to income tax in Hong Kong?
The profits derived by Hong Kong Limited Company may be treated as offshore sourced income and thus exempted from Hong Kong taxation. Here are some examples of various business incomes prepared by Inland Revenue Department (IRD):
Trading Profits
A Hong Kong company negotiates and concludes the terms of the purchase and sale contracts with suppliers and customers outside Hong Kong. And also carries out the relevant operations outside Hong Kong. Then it may be possible to claim that the trading profits so derived are non-taxable in Hong Kong.
Manufacturing Profits
A Hong Kong manufacturing business enters into a contract processing or assembly arrangement with a Mainland entity. And to entity located elsewhere where the arrangement is similar to the one with the Mainland entity. Moreover, the Hong Kong manufacturing business will provide the raw materials, technical know-how, management, training and supervision for the locally recruited labour and so on. Then it may be possible to claim that 50% of the manufacturing profits are not taxable in Hong Kong.
Service Profits
A Hong Kong company provides services partly in Hong Kong and partly outside Hong Kong. It may be possible to claim that part of the service income is attributable to the services rendered outside Hong Kong and therefore not taxable.
Furthermore, if a Hong Kong company appoints overseas agent or service provider to perform services on its behalf outside Hong Kong. It may be possible to claim that the entire service income relating to the services rendered outside Hong Kong is not taxable.
Can you get a green light from IRD?
IRD will examines each case of offshore-sourced income tax exemption claim. So, the samples above we have emphasized the word “possible”. IRD adopts operation test in the matter of facto to determine where the major business profit-making operation take place. That is, the source of profit. Usually, offshore-sourced income must at least fulfill all the following conditions:
Sufficient Proof of profits not derived from Hong Kong.
No business activities which produced the relevant profits held in Hong Kong
No office (no physical office of daily business operation and decision making) in Hong Kong.
The director(s) stay less than 60 days in Hong Kong during the financial year.
You may have heard Provisional Tax during the tax filing process but didn’t know much about it. After the tax assessment, the taxpayer needs to pay two instalments. Sometimes it is only when the tax is paid that it is discovered that the tax is more than the original tax payable. In fact, it is a provisional tax payment.
What is Provisional Tax?
According to the information of the Inland Revenue Department, Provisional Tax is a government requirement. The tax amount is calculated based on the taxpayer’s income in the previous tax year. And then calculated for 12 months and requires prepayment for the next tax. Part of the tax in the tax year.
When assessing the tax in the coming year, the tax will be deducted from the provisional tax of the current year. If there is still a balance, the provisional tax of that year will be used and offset in the next year of assessment.
Since the first-time tax payer does not have the provisional tax deduction for the previous year. So, you may have to bear the provisional tax for the next tax year.
How to settle a tax bill in Hong Kong?
Inland Revenue Department (IRD) will send you a payment vouchers by letter. Or send you an e-alert if you have registered a e-tax account. Then you can settle the bill either in person or electronic payment.
In Person
Post Offices
You can present the payment voucher and pay your IRD bills or purchase Tax Reserve Certificates at Post Offices by cash, cheque or EPS.
Convenience Stores
You can print the payment voucher barcode, then you can present the voucher and pay tax. For example, at any 7-Eleven Convenience Store, Circle K Convenience Store, VanGO Convenience Store and U select in Hong Kong.
By Post
You can send a crossed cheque to the commissioner of Inland Revenue. And make payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”. Then write the reference number on the back of the cheque.
Electronic Payment
Tax payment accepts all kind of electronic means. You can pay your tax by telephone, Internet or bank Automated Teller Machine (ATM).
Last but not the least, Hong Kong have so many simple and easy way to pay tax. And paying tax should be paid on or before the due date. If you denied to pay, IRD will take immediate action.
Hong Kong has a reputation of tax-friendly for decades. As Hong Kong is a Free Trade Port. Tax is low, simple and competitive for tax residents in Hong Kong. If you are going to start a new career or business in Hong Kong, here’s a little tax guide for you.
Direct Tax
Hong Kong only imposes 3-type of direct taxes. That is, Profit Tax, Salaries Tax and Property Tax. In the past few years, Government offers generous allowance and deduction to lower your taxable amount.
2023/24: Hong Kong Tax Residents Salaries tax rate
Here are the salaries tax rates for the period from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024:
Net Chargeable Income
Rate
Taxable Income Band
$1-$50,000
2%
Taxable Income Band
$50,000-$100,000
6%
Taxable Income Band
$100,001-$150,000
10%
Taxable Income Band
$150,001-$200,000
14%
Taxable Income Band
$200,000+
17%
Calculation of Tax Payable
Do you need to pay Salaries Tax?
Hong Kong observes a territorial basis of taxation; therefore, the concept of tax residents has no significance in determining tax liability, except in limited circumstances.
Your income will be chargeable as below:
If your income is generated from Hong Kong, including arising in or derived from Hong Kong employment, office and pension.
Your income from services rendered in Hong Kong during visits of more than 60 days in a tax year.
What kinds of income is taxable?
Employment income
An employee is subject to salaries tax if their employment income is sourced in Hong Kong. Even if you are not usually resident in the territory. Thus, cash emoluments including bonuses and gratuities are taxable income. However, benefits are non-taxable. Unless they are converted into cash. Or specifically relate to holiday travel or the education of a child. Moreover, the provision of accommodation by an employer creates a taxable benefit equal to an amount ranging from 4%-10% of the employee’s other taxable income, depending on the type of accommodation.
Self-employment and business income
Anyone carrying on a profession, trade or business in Hong Kong is subject
to profits tax on income arising in or derived from Hong Kong from that
profession, trade or business.
Directors’ fees
Directors fees derived from a company that has its central management and control in Hong Kong are subject to salaries tax in Hong Kong. Otherwise, directors’ fees are not taxable.
Employer-provided stock options
Employer-provided stock options are generally taxable at the time of exercise. However, for an individual who has non-Hong Kong employment and is taxed on a pro rata basis by reference to the number of days of his or her services in Hong Kong only. That is, part or all of the option gain may be excluded from taxable income. The amount excluded depends on various factors including whether the option is granted conditionally or unconditionally. And, if granted conditionally, the number of days on which the individual performed Hong Kong services during the vesting period.
Taxation of employment-related share awards
Employment-related share awards are generally considered to be perquisites from employment and taxed as part of the remuneration. In general, they become taxable when an employee is entitled to the full economic benefit of the shares awarded. If the employee has a non-Hong Kong employment, proration of the income by reference to the number of days of their services in Hong Kong that is similar to the proration applicable to stock option benefits may also be allowed.
Hong Kong has a simple tax system with low tax rates for businesses and individuals. There is no Capital Gain tax and only have three types of taxes in Hong Kong: Profits tax, Salaries tax and Property tax.
Any other Taxes?
Capital Gain Tax
Hong Kong does not tax capital gains. However, gains on the disposal of assets may be subject to profits tax if the disposal constitutes a transaction in the nature of trade.
Consumption Taxes
Value-added, goods and services, and sales taxes do not apply in Hong Kong.
Estate Taxes
Started from Feb 2006, Hong Kong abolished the Estate Taxes.
Social Security Tax
Hong Kong does not impose any social security taxes. However, employers and employees need to contribute 5% of the salaries or HKD1,500 per month for the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) schemes. If the salary is under HKD7,100 per month, then the employee is not required to make contribution. But the employer still has to contribute 5% for the MPF.
Is there any taxes other than Capital Gain tax?
In short, Hong Kong does not have hidden tax, apart from the 3 major taxes, there are Stamp Duties, Custom Duties, Rates and Property tax.
Stamp Duties
Stamp duty imposes on stock transfer. By way of sale and purchase at 0.26% of the consideration per transaction.
Custom Duties
Customs duties are levied on limited categories of dutiable commodities . For examples: tobacco, liquor, methyl alcohol, and hydrocarbons etc. Regardless of whether they are imported or locally manufactured. As far as individuals are concerned, the sale prices includes the duties.
Rates
Rates are an indirect tax levied on properties in Hong Kong. It charged at 5% of the rateable value which is the estimated annual rental value of a property.
Property Tax
Property tax is charged to the owner of any land or buildings (except government and consular properties) in Hong Kong. Nonetheless, the standard rate of 15% on the net assessable value of such land or buildings. On the other hand, net assessable value of a property is the consideration payable to the owner for the right to use the land or buildings less rates paid by the owner and a 20% notional allowance. If the owner is self-using the property, then it is not subject to property tax. Indeed no rent is receivable with respect to that property.
Environmental Taxes
Hong Kong does not exactly have an environmental Taxes, but Plastic Shopping Bag (PSB) charging scheme. Except for plastic bags used for hygiene reasons. All plastic bags are subject to PSB charges. You have to pay $1 for each PSB.
