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Knowledge Base

Practical articles on company formation, accounting, company secretarial services, tax filing and SME operations in Hong Kong, to help you quickly get to grips with business information and practice.

Dependent parent allowance

Updated 29 May 2026

2026 tax filing: how much is the dependent parent allowance? Claim conditions, the definition of living together and sharing arrangements explained

You can claim an allowance for supporting parents or grandparents aged 55 or above who ordinarily reside in Hong Kong. For 2025/26, the maximum per person is HK$100 […]

2025 tax filing guide: what is the maximum personal allowance? How much salary is subject to salaries tax?

Updated 29 May 2026

[2026 tax filing] How is salaries tax calculated? How much are the personal allowances? A tax-saving guide to deductible items at a glance

Salaries tax is charged at the lower of progressive rates and the standard rate. For 2025/26, the basic allowance is HK$132,000 and the one-off reduction is capped at HK […]

[How a company files tax returns for its employees] The difference between the employer's return BIR56A and IR56B explained

Updated 28 May 2026

How a company files tax for its employees: what is the difference between the employer’s returns BIR56A and IR56B? Understand your tax responsibilities and file correctly

Filing tax returns for employees is the employer's statutory responsibility. The employer's return (BIR56A) and the individual IR56B remuneration reports must be submitted on time, covering any employee with remuneration income, […]

Is tax payable on dividends in Hong Kong? Tax on dividends paid by Hong Kong companies and received by individuals, fully explained

Updated 28 May 2026

Is tax payable on dividends in Hong Kong? Company dividends vs dividends received by individuals: conditions, process and tax exemptions explained

Wondering whether tax is payable on dividends in Hong Kong? SetupHK sets out the tax rules and the key points on company deductions in one go, helping you understand profit distributions by Hong Kong companies, points to note and the conditions for paying company dividends!

Unlimited company tax filing guide

Updated 28 May 2026

Unlimited company tax filing guide: understand profits tax calculation, deductible items, the filing process and key filing points in 5 minutes

An unlimited company does not need an audit and only pays profits tax. Sole proprietorships file BIR60; partnerships file BIR52. If turnover exceeds HK$2 million, […]

Hong Kong profits tax guide

Updated 28 May 2026

Complete guide to Hong Kong company profits tax: rates, calculation, filing process and legal tax saving (latest for 2026)

Companies carrying on business in Hong Kong and earning local profits must pay profits tax. Limited companies are subject to two-tier tax rates (8.25% / 16.5%), while unlimited […]

Complete guide to the Business Registration Certificate (BR): eligibility, documents, steps, renewal and FAQs

Updated 11 May 2026

5-minute guide to applying for a business registration certificate: required documents, online application guide and FAQs on changing your address

You can apply for a Business Registration Certificate (BR) online or on paper. Online applications can receive an electronic BR in as little as 2 working days; in-person paper applications take about half an hour to collect […]

The definition and purpose of the Business Registration Certificate, and how it differs from a company, explained

Updated 11 May 2026

Complete guide to the Hong Kong business registration certificate: BR definition, fees, application process and the difference from the CI (2026 update)

By law, anyone carrying on business in Hong Kong must apply for a Business Registration Certificate. This article explains in detail what a Business Registration Certificate is, which businesses need one, the business registration certificate number, and how it differs from company registration.

Benefits of setting up a Hong Kong company

Updated 11 May 2026

What are the benefits of setting up a Hong Kong company? 7 advantages including low tax rates and a free market

Whether it is an international company entering the Chinese mainland market from Hong Kong, or a mainland Chinese company entering the international market from Hong Kong, their first choice is to set up a company in Hong Kong. So what are the advantages of setting up a company in Hong Kong? This article introduces the benefits of forming a company in Hong Kong from the angles of taxation, company types, industries and more.

[Company search guide] 5 simple steps to check whether a company name is available (with free feature tutorial)

Updated 8 May 2026

How to search a company name: 5 steps to confirm the name is available and avoid rejection

Before applying to form a company, you must confirm that the proposed name is not already registered by another company, otherwise your application will be rejected. This article gives complete step-by-step instructions for ICRIS searches, so that […]

3 things to prepare before setting up a company in Hong Kong

Updated 8 May 2026

3 things to prepare before forming a Hong Kong company

According to Companies Registry statistics, more than 100,000 Hong Kong companies are incorporated every year. Setting up a company in Hong Kong has many advantages, but what do you need to prepare beforehand? This article focuses on the process of forming a Hong Kong company and what to prepare in advance.

Hong Kong unlimited company quick guide

Updated 8 May 2026

Hong Kong unlimited company quick guide: registration process, costs and FAQs

An unlimited company is the simplest and lowest-cost company structure in Hong Kong. This article explains the complete process, costs and common questions for setting up an unlimited company. Before forming a company, you first need […]

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