Business Support in the UAE and Abroad
31 December
End of the financial year
We close the year’s books from statements, invoices and contracts. From this date, the 9 months for the meeting or written resolution begin to run.
General meeting — 9 months
A private company holds its annual general meeting within 9 months after the end of the accounting period. It can be replaced by a written resolution, and a company with a single shareholder doesn’t need a meeting.
Business Support in the UAE and Abroad
Ongoing Support for a Company in Hong Kong: Secretary, Audit and Annual Reporting
A Hong Kong company reports every year — even with no turnover: the annual return to the Companies Registry, Business Registration renewal, the audit and the profits tax return. We run this calendar for you: secretary, address, bookkeeping and filings — with a reminder before the deadline, not after a letter from the registry.
- from €1,308
- Support from the second year — per year, with a registered address
- 42 days
- To file the NAR1 annual return after the anniversary of incorporation
- HK$2,350
- Business Registration for one year — government fee from 1 April 2026
- Every year
- Audit of the accounts — at any turnover
In short
Support for a Hong Kong company from the second year: from €1,308 a year with a registered address. Every year: the NAR1 annual return within 42 days after the incorporation anniversary, Business Registration renewal (HK$2,350 government fee) and an audit at any turnover; fees, audit and taxes are extra.
Checked 18 October 2026 · Kermen Tserenkeeva
Cost of a mistake
Up to HK$10,000
The fine for not filing a profits tax return — plus up to three times the tax. It’s filed even with a loss, or the IRD issues an estimated assessment.
How to avoid itWhat a Hong Kong company does after registration
Registration in Hong Kong takes days, but the obligations come every year: the registry, the tax office and the auditor expect documents by their own deadlines, and the company, the director and the secretary are liable for any miss.
Secretary and address — at all times
The secretary is a Hong Kong resident or a company with an office in Hong Kong; a provider that takes on the role for a fee needs a TCSP licence. The address is in Hong Kong: letters from the registry and the tax office are sent there.
Anniversary — two filings
Renewal of the BR for HK$2,350 and the annual return, form NAR1, within 42 days. NAR1 is filed even if the BR has already been renewed.
Audit — at any turnover
The accounts are audited by a Hong Kong auditor, and the audited accounts are attached to the tax return. Only a company declared dormant can do without an audit.
Tax return — when the tax office issues it
The IRD issues the profits tax return in early April. The deadline is one month from the date of issue; with a tax representative it is longer if the financial year ends between December and March.
Expert tip
Most often, clients come to us with a letter from the registry or the tax office about a missed deadline. Don’t wait for a second one: the higher NAR1 fee grows the later you file, and without a return the tax office issues an estimated assessment.
Kermen TserenkeevaSenior Lawyer · Company registrationSituations
What clients come to us with
Typical situations
- 01The company was registered by another agent, and you are not sure the NAR1, BR and audit were done on time.
- 02You have received a letter from the Companies Registry or the IRD: a reminder, a higher fee, a tax return or a request for documents.
- 03You need to change the secretary or the registered address — the current provider is leaving or raising its prices.
- 04The first tax return with an audit is coming up — usually 18 months after incorporation.
- 05The company is not trading, and you need to decide: declare it dormant, deregister it or keep maintaining it.
Similar, but different
- 01There is no company yet — registration comes first, and ongoing support starts from there.Hong Kong
- 02The issue is the Hong Kong bank account: the bank has requested documents or turned you down.Hong Kong
- 03The business actually runs inside mainland China: a warehouse, staff, sales in yuan.China
- 04You only need an auditor’s report: it is signed by an independent Hong Kong auditor. We prepare the books and documents for the audit, but the report is issued by the auditor.
Calendar
A Hong Kong company’s year: deadlines and penalties
The timeline assumes a financial year ending 31 December; NAR1 and BR run from the anniversary of incorporation. Amounts are statutory maximums and fees as of October 2026.
0123456789101112months after the financial year-end
1 April
Letters from the IRD
On the first working day of April, the tax office issues profits tax returns and the employer’s return BIR56A.
A month later
Employer’s return
BIR56A with IR56B forms for employees — within one month of the date of issue; the block extension for tax representatives does not apply.
If missed: up to HK$10,000
August
Profits tax return
Without an extension — one month from the date of issue. With a tax representative and a year ending 31 December — until the date the IRD announces each year: for 2025/26 returns, 31 August 2026. The audited financial statements are attached to the return.
If missed: estimated assessment by the IRD, up to HK$10,000 and up to three times the tax
30 September
Annual general meeting
The meeting with the accounts and the auditor’s report — within 9 months after year-end. It can be replaced by a written resolution; with a single shareholder, no meeting is needed.
If missed: in 2019, a director was fined HK$20,000: two years without meetings or accounts
Every anniversary of incorporation
By the certificate’s expiry date
BR renewal
The IRD sends the demand note around the middle of the month before the new certificate: HK$2,350 per year. If it hasn’t arrived, notify the IRD.
42 days after the anniversary
NAR1 annual return
Registry fee — HK$105. Filed even if the BR has already been renewed.
If missed: fee of HK$870–3,480; for failure to file — up to HK$50,000 and HK$1,000 per day
When something changes
15 days
Director or secretary
ND2A — for an appointment or resignation, ND2B — for a change of particulars.
If missed: up to HK$25,000 and HK$700 per day
15 days
Registered address
Notice NR1 to the registry.
If missed: up to HK$50,000 and HK$1,000 per day
1 month
Issue of shares
Return of allotment NSC1 with the new capital structure.
If missed: up to HK$25,000 and HK$700 per day
7 days
Significant controllers register
Changes are entered within 7 days after the details are confirmed.
If missed: up to HK$25,000 and HK$700 per day
With employees
60 days from the start of employment
MPF enrolment
Employees aged 18 to 64 are enrolled in a pension scheme.
If missed: up to HK$350,000 and 3 years’ imprisonment
Every month, by the 10th
MPF contributions
5% of the employee’s income from the employer and from the employee, but no more than HK$1,500 a month each; if income is below HK$7,100 — the employer only.
If missed: a 5% surcharge on the unpaid contribution; the MPFA may impose a penalty
3 months from the start of employment
New employee — IR56E
If their income is or may be chargeable to salaries tax.
If missed: up to HK$10,000
A month in advance
Termination or departure — IR56F, IR56G
IR56F — a month before employment ends, IR56G — at least a month before the employee leaves Hong Kong for more than a month.
Benefits
What you get
Result
What you will have after each year
These documents confirm that the company is in good order: banks, the auditor and counterparties ask for them.
Business Registration certificate
IRD, Business Registration Office
Confirms the business is registered with the tax office. Chinese banks also ask for the original BR when opening an NRA account.
1 year; from 1 April 2026 — HK$2,350
NAR1 annual return
Companies Registry
The current directors, shareholders, secretary and address in the public register. Chinese banks ask for an NAR1 no older than one year.
Every anniversary of incorporation
Audited financial statements
Hong Kong auditor
Accounts with the auditor’s report — they are attached to the profits tax return.
For each financial year
Tax return and notice of assessment
IRD
The filed return, then a notice of assessment for the year and provisional tax for the next — or questions from the tax office.
Annually, when issued by the IRD
Minutes and written resolutions
The company, prepared by the secretary
Approval of the accounts, appointment of the auditor, changes in the company.
Kept for at least 10 years
Significant controllers register
The company, kept in Hong Kong
Who holds more than 25% or otherwise controls the company. It is shown to law enforcement on request.
Updated within 7 days after changes are confirmed
Let’s discuss the details
Not sure everything has been filed for your company?
Send us the company number — we’ll check the registry data and the NAR1 and BR deadlines and tell you what to file first, before the fees go up.
Annual cycle
What we need from you, and what we do
A 31 December year-end; deadlines are for a company with a tax representative. The IRD decides on the tax and the offshore claim.
From you — deal documents during the year and the director’s signature on the accounts and the resolution. Bookkeeping, audit preparation, filings and deadlines — on us.
Process
8 steps from the first conversation to the result
Every step is visible in the client portal: what’s happening now and whether we need anything from you.
Steps on your side: 2 of 8
We handle it · 6Needed from you · 2
Using the company number, we look up the Companies Registry data: the date of the last NAR1, the secretary, the address and the directors. We ask for the IRD letters and the latest accounts.
Step 1 of 8
Registry check
Using the company number, we look up the Companies Registry data: the date of the last NAR1, the secretary, the address and the directors. We ask for the IRD letters and the latest accounts.
We handle it1–2 days
Documents
What you’ll need
To transfer the company to our support
- Certificate of Incorporation (CI) and a current BR certificate
- Articles of association
- Registers of members, directors and significant controllers
- The latest NAR1, minutes of meetings and written resolutions
- Letters from the Companies Registry and the IRD for the last two years — if any
From directors, shareholders and controllers
- Passport scan: the spread with full name, date of birth, photo, number and signature
- Proof of address from the last 3 months: utility bill, bank statement or tenancy agreement
- Completed KYC form
- Selfie holding the passport
For bookkeeping and audit — during the year
- Statements for all company accounts, including payment platforms
- Sales and purchase invoices, contracts with suppliers and buyers
- Shipping documents and correspondence about deals — for an offshore claim
- Payroll records and MPF statements — if there are employees
Budget
What it costs to maintain a Hong Kong company
The package price is a “from” figure; we fix the exact price in the proposal. Government fees are at Hong Kong government rates as of October 2026.
From the second year
from €1,308 per year
Maintaining the company and a registered address; government fees, audit and taxes — separately
Every year
- Ongoing support and registered addressfrom €1,308
- Business RegistrationHK$2,350
- NAR1 annual return — on timeHK$105
- Company secretary — terms in the proposal
Reporting
- Bookkeeping and audit — based on the volume of transactions
- Profits tax return
- Offshore claim — if profit is earned outside Hong Kong
Once you hire employees
- MPF — 5% each from employer and employeeup to HK$1,500/mo
- Employer’s return BIR56A — once a year
- IR56E, IR56F and IR56G notifications
A company with no revenue still renews its BR, files NAR1 and is audited. Dormant status removes NAR1 and the audit, but not the BR. If the company is no longer needed, deregistration costs HK$270 for the IRD notice and HK$420 for the application to the registry.
Getting it right
Common mistakes — and how to avoid them
Click a card to see how to do it right · 0 of 7 open
01 What people often do
Renewing the BR and assuming the annual return has been filed.
02 What people often do
Skipping the audit because the company barely traded.
03 What people often do
Ignoring the tax return because there is no profit.
04 What people often do
Changing the director or address without notifying the registry.
05 What people often do
Leaving the previous secretary without collecting the registers and minutes.
06 What people often do
Abandoning a company you no longer need.
07 What people often do
Gathering documents for an offshore claim only after the tax office asks.
FAQ
Expert answers
Kermen Tserenkeeva — Company registration
Six tasks: renew the Business Registration, file the NAR1 within 42 days after the anniversary of incorporation, carry out the audit, hold a general meeting or replace it with a written resolution, file the profits tax return and keep the registers, including the significant controllers register. With employees, MPF and employer’s returns are added.
Kermen Tserenkeeva · Company registrationSources
- Companies Registry — filing requirements after incorporation (PAM 5E)
- Companies Registry — meetings, resolutions and company records
- Companies Registry — accounts and audit
- Companies Registry — deregistration FAQ
- IRD — Business Registration application
- IRD — Block Extension Scheme for 2025/26 tax returns
- IRD — employer’s obligations
- HSBC MPF — making contributions
Deadlines, amounts and rules are based on these sources as of the check date. Rules change: check with us before deciding.
Often goes with this
What else you may need
Company RegistrationHong Kong
If there is no company yet: registration in Hong Kong, with a secretary and registered address from day one.
Bank AccountsHong Kong
An account with a Hong Kong bank for a company that is already filing: which banks consider the profile and what to show them.
Bank AccountsChina
An NRA account with a bank in mainland China for a Hong Kong company — the bank asks for a recent NAR1 and BR.
Next step
We’ll take your Hong Kong company on for ongoing support
Send us the company number or the certificate of incorporation — we’ll check the registry data and the NAR1 and Business Registration deadlines, and find out who the current secretary is and where the address is. We’ll tell you what to sort out first and take the calendar off your hands.
Kermen TserenkeevaSenior Lawyer · Company registration