Accounting services in Hong Kong
Emerhub keeps your Hong Kong company compliant with the IRD and the Companies Registry: profits tax, bookkeeping, audited financial statements, the Employer's Return, and the annual return, all handled by a local team. Clean books, on-time filings, and offshore-source income claimed where the rules allow, without building a finance department.
A simple tax regime, with one expensive trap
Hong Kong's profits tax is two-tier and there is no VAT, which keeps the rules straightforward. The trap most companies fall into is the audit — required every year, regardless of size, and bolted to the tax return.
An audit you cannot skip
Running Hong Kong accounting yourself means filing two returns with the IRD (the Profits Tax Return and the Employer's Return), the annual return with the Companies Registry, MPF contributions for any employees, and, unlike most jurisdictions, an audit each year signed off by a Hong Kong CPA.
The common mistakes are filing the Profits Tax Return without first having the books audited, missing the offshore-source claim where it applies, or letting the annual return slip past its anniversary, which carries escalating penalties.
A local team that keeps you compliant
A Hong Kong accounting team handles the bookkeeping, coordinates the statutory audit, files the Profits Tax Return and Employer's Return with the IRD, and lodges the annual return with the Companies Registry. We also claim offshore-source treatment where the facts support it.
You get clean books, audited financial statements, on-time filings, and a tax position that takes every legitimate concession, without hiring in Hong Kong, and someone to deal with the IRD if they query anything.
Everything your Hong Kong finance function needs, on your behalf
From bookkeeping and audit coordination to the IRD filings and the Companies Registry annual return, handled by a local team that knows where the savings are.
Bookkeeping & records
We maintain your books to Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards (HKFRS), or SME-FRS for qualifying private companies, kept current and reconciled throughout the year.
Statutory audit coordination
We prepare audit-ready financial statements and work with a Hong Kong CPA to complete the annual audit every Hong Kong company needs.
Profits Tax Return
The Profits Tax Return (BIR51 or BIR52) filed with the IRD, with the audited accounts and tax computation attached and every concession claimed.
Employer's Return
The annual Employer's Return (BIR56A) and IR56B forms for each employee filed with the IRD by 1 May, in step with payroll.
Companies Registry annual return
The annual return (NAR1) lodged with the Companies Registry on your incorporation anniversary, keeping the company in good standing.
Advisory & offshore claim
Guidance on structure, the two-tier profits tax, and offshore-source claims where your facts support it, and responses to IRD queries.
Three steps to compliant books
Onboarding takes a couple of weeks. After that, your books run monthly, with the audit, the Profits Tax Return, and the annual return each year.
Onboarding & handover
- We review your standing with the IRD and the Companies Registry and confirm your year-end and audit cycle.
- We take over your existing books and reconcile the opening balances.
The monthly cycle
- We record and reconcile your transactions each month and keep the supporting documents organized.
- We run payroll and MPF contributions if you have employees, and file the Employer's Return at year-end.
- You receive a management report showing the period's position.
The annual close
- We prepare audit-ready financial statements and coordinate the statutory audit with a Hong Kong CPA.
- We file the Profits Tax Return with the IRD and lodge the annual return (NAR1) with the Companies Registry on the anniversary date.
Companies operating in Hong Kong
Most clients fall into one of these patterns. If yours matches, the service is built for your situation.
Private limited companies
Full compliance for a Hong Kong private limited company, across bookkeeping, audit, the IRD filings, and the Companies Registry annual return.
Offshore-source claims
Companies whose profits arise outside Hong Kong, who can claim offshore-source treatment where the facts support it, but who need it argued properly.
Holding & regional HQs
Holding companies and regional headquarters that need clean group accounts and careful treatment of cross-border income.
Changing accountants
Companies moving from a previous provider who want a clean handover and a reliable filing rhythm before the next audit cycle.
Dormant companies
Dormant companies that still must file with the IRD and the Companies Registry each year, kept compliant at minimal cost.
Cleanup & catch-up
Companies with overdue IRD or Companies Registry filings who need to clear penalties and return to good standing.
Your annual compliance calendar
Hong Kong runs on a monthly bookkeeping rhythm plus a set of annual filings with the IRD and the Companies Registry, most of them timed to your financial year-end and your incorporation anniversary. Here's the full year at a glance.
| Obligation | Files with | Frequency | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| MPF contributionsMandatory Provident Fund contributions for any employees. | MPFA | Monthly | 10th of the following month |
| Employer's Return (BIR56A)Annual return of each employee's income. | IRD | Annual | 1 May |
| Statutory auditYear-end financial statements audited by a Hong Kong CPA. | IRD (filed with BIR51) | Annual | Before the Profits Tax Return |
| Profits Tax Return (BIR51)Filed with the audited accounts and tax computation. | IRD | Annual | 1 month from issue (extensions available) |
| Annual return (NAR1)Confirmation of company particulars, lodged on the anniversary date. | Companies Registry | Annual | 42 days from incorporation anniversary |
| Business Registration renewalAnnual Business Registration Certificate kept current. | IRD | Annual | 1 month before expiry |
Accounting & tax FAQs
What companies ask most often before handing over their books in Hong Kong.
What does your accounting service include?
Bookkeeping, audit coordination with a Hong Kong CPA, the Profits Tax Return and Employer's Return with the IRD, and the annual return with the Companies Registry, plus advisory. We can run your entire Hong Kong finance function, or just the parts you need. The scope and fee are set during onboarding, once we've seen your transaction volume and structure.
Does my Hong Kong company need an audit?
Yes — almost certainly. Unlike Singapore and most other jurisdictions, Hong Kong has no general SME audit exemption. Every limited company files an audited set of financial statements with the IRD as part of the Profits Tax Return each year, signed by a Hong Kong CPA. We prepare audit-ready accounts and coordinate the audit so the process is straightforward.
What's the difference between the IRD and the Companies Registry filings?
The IRD is the tax authority: you file the Profits Tax Return (with audited accounts) and the Employer's Return each year. The Companies Registry maintains the public register: you file the annual return (NAR1) on your incorporation anniversary. They are separate obligations on separate dates, and we handle both.
What is the corporate tax rate in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong runs a two-tier profits tax: 8.25% on the first HK$2 million of assessable profits, and 16.5% on the balance, for most companies. There is no GST or VAT, no capital gains tax, and no withholding tax on dividends. Profits that arise outside Hong Kong may qualify for an offshore-source claim and be excluded from tax entirely. We confirm what applies to your company and prepare the tax computation accordingly.
Can I claim offshore-source treatment?
Possibly. Hong Kong taxes on a territorial basis: only profits that arise in or are derived from Hong Kong are taxable. If your operations, contracts, and revenue substantially occur outside Hong Kong, an offshore claim can apply. The IRD scrutinises these claims closely and the facts matter — we assess whether your situation supports a claim and prepare the supporting submission.
Do you handle payroll and MPF?
Yes. We run monthly payroll, MPF contributions for any employees, and file the annual Employer's Return (BIR56A) with the IRD, along with an IR56B for each employee. Payroll is kept in step with your books so the tax computation reflects what was actually paid.
What software do you use?
We work with the common accounting software used in Hong Kong — Xero, QuickBooks, and similar — and can fit into your existing setup, or set one up for you. You keep access and ownership of your books, and we deliver reports in the format that suits you.
Talk to our Hong Kong team
Tell us about your company, where it is in its filing cycle, and what you need handled. We'll confirm the scope, the timeline, and a monthly fee.
World Finance Centre
17 Canton Road
Hong Kong