Guides · Compliance
The Hong Kong annual compliance calendar, explained
A Hong Kong company's deadlines run on two clocks. Most Companies Registry deadlines are anchored to your incorporation anniversary, so every company's calendar is different. Tax deadlines mostly follow the Inland Revenue Department's fixed cycle. Miss either and the fees escalate automatically — no reminder letter is owed to you beyond the ones sent to your registered office.
The recurring obligations
| Obligation | When | Cost if on time |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return (form NAR1) | Within 42 days after each anniversary of incorporation | HK$105 registration fee |
| Business registration renewal | Annually. The IRD posts a demand note to the registered office about a month before the current certificate expires; pay within 1 month of the note date | HK$2,350 for one year (2026 rate, incl. the reinstated HK$150 levy) |
| Audited financial statements | Prepared annually by a Hong Kong CPA, ready before the profits tax return is filed | Auditor's fee (varies) |
| Profits tax return (PTR) | First PTR about 18 months after incorporation; thereafter issued annually (bulk issue each April). File within 1 month of issue; extensions are available under the block extension scheme via a tax representative | — |
| Annual general meeting | Within 9 months after the end of the accounting reference period — most small private companies pass written resolutions instead of holding a physical AGM | — |
| Employer's return (BIR56A) | Issued in early April each year; file within 1 month, including nil returns | — |
Event-driven filings: the 15-day rule
Changes don't wait for year-end. Most must be reported to the Companies Registry within 15 days:
- Appointment or resignation of a director or company secretary
- Changes in a director's or secretary's particulars (name, address, ID)
- Moving the registered office
The Significant Controllers Register must also be kept up to date as ownership changes, and share transfers must be stamped — stamp duty is currently 0.2% of the consideration or net asset value (whichever is higher) plus HK$5 per instrument of transfer.
What a late annual return actually costs
| NAR1 delivered | Registration fee |
|---|---|
| Within 42 days of the anniversary | HK$105 |
| More than 42 days but within 3 months | HK$870 |
| More than 3 months but within 6 months | HK$1,740 |
| More than 6 months but within 9 months | HK$2,610 |
| More than 9 months | HK$3,480 |
On top of the higher fee, the company and every responsible officer risk prosecution and further fines, and a company that stops filing can ultimately be struck off the register.
Worked example — the first 20 months
Say your company is incorporated on 15 September 2026:
- Around mid-August 2027 — the IRD posts the business registration renewal demand note to your registered office; pay within one month of the note date.
- 15 September – 27 October 2027 — your first NAR1 window: 42 days from the first anniversary.
- Around March 2028 — your first profits tax return arrives (about 18 months in). The audit needs to be complete before you file, so engage an auditor well before this lands.
- April 2028 — employer's return season, even if the answer is nil.
Dormant companies
A company with no accounting transactions can declare itself dormant under the Companies Ordinance, which suspends most obligations — including annual returns, AGMs and audit — while it stays dormant. The business registration fee, however, remains payable each year.
Who handles what
- Company secretary — tracks every Companies Registry deadline, prepares and files the NAR1 and change notifications, maintains the registers, and watches the registered-office mail.
- Auditor / tax representative (CPA) — prepares the audit and files the profits tax return.
- You — keep proper accounting records through the year and respond when documents need signing.
Official references
- Companies Registry — annual return requirements for private companies: cr.gov.hk
- Inland Revenue Department — business registration renewal: ird.gov.hk
- GovHK — profits tax returns: gov.hk
This guide is general information only, current as at July 2026, and is not legal, tax or professional advice. Government fees and deadlines change — always confirm against the official sources above, or ask us about your specific situation.
Flat annual plans from HK$1,800/year. Renewal price = sign-up price.