HONG KONG: THUMB OF RULE – FILING ON TIME

HONG KONG: THUMB OF RULE – FILING ON TIME

2025-07-28

You may go to work late, or meet your friends late. However, filing your limited company’s annual return to the Company Registry must be on time. The Company Registry strictly requires all limited companies to file yearly. No matter whether there is no change in company structure, address, or related issues.

What should you do?

Your licensed Company Secretary will inform you in advance of Annual Return Filing. Then you have to confirm with the Company Secretary if there have been any changes. For example, any updates on the company structure, related members, and their details.

With your updated information, the Company Secretary will fill in and file the Annual Return to the Company Registry on behalf of your company.

After the submission of the Annual Return, the Company Registry will check and also update the online record within 7 working days.

What is the penalty for late filing?

  • Within the first 42days from the company’s return date – HK$305
  • On the 43 days and within 3 months from the company’s return date – HK$870
  • More than 3 months but within 6 months from the company’s return date – Hk$1740
  • More than 6 months but within 9 months from the company’s return date – HK$2610
  • More than 9 months from the company’s return date – HK$3480

What are the risks when you are not filing on time?

  1. As it is a public searchable record that any company that has not been filing the returns on time, affects the image of the company and reputation, partners, suppliers and clients of the company may question the good standing of the business.
  2. As it’s a public searchable record, when banks find out the returns are not done promptly. The banks will consider to freeze or even close down the company bank account.
  3. Company Registry may notify other government departments including the Inland Revenue Department to freeze the business registration. As a result, the company will not be able to legally operate the business. And may lead to forced de-registration of the business, court hearings and penalties.

For further information, please contact us.

You may want to read: ANNUAL RETURN FILING FOR HONG KONG LIMITED COMPANIES

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