Hong Kong companies face multiple annual filing obligations across 3 regulatory bodies: the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), the Companies Registry, and the MPF Authority. Missing any deadline triggers automatic penalties, estimated assessments, or criminal liability. Extensions are not guaranteed.
This guide covers every tax and compliance deadline a Hong Kong private limited company must track: profits tax returns, Employer's Return, salaries tax, NAR1, BRC renewal, and MPF contributions. For the full tax system overview, see our Hong Kong corporate tax guide.
Highlights of this article
- The Hong Kong tax year runs from 1 April to 31 March. The year of assessment 2025/26 covers 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
- Profits Tax Return (BIR51) deadlines depend on your financial year-end: Code N (April to November year-end) files by 2 May; Code D (December) by 15 August; Code M (January to March) by 15 November.
- Employer's Return (BIR56A + IR56B) is issued 1 April and due within 1 month, typically by early May.
- Annual Return (NAR1) must be filed within 42 days of your incorporation anniversary each year.
- BRC must be renewed before your incorporation anniversary date each year.
- MPF mandatory contributions are due by the 10th of the month following the contribution period.
- Late filing penalties escalate quickly: 10% initial surcharge, a second 10% after 6 months, and in serious cases up to 3 years imprisonment.
The Hong Kong tax year
Hong Kong's tax year (called the year of assessment) runs from 1 April to 31 March. The current year of assessment is 2025/26 (1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026).
This is important because:
- Salaries tax and profits tax are assessed per tax year, not per calendar year
- Your company's financial year end determines which filing deadline code applies to you
- IRD issues Profits Tax Returns on 1 April each year, covering the year that just ended
A company's financial year end is set when it is incorporated and can differ from the tax year end. Most Hong Kong companies use 31 March, 31 December, or another date set at incorporation.
Profits Tax Return deadlines (BIR51)
The IRD groups companies into 3 filing deadline codes based on financial year-end:
| Code | Financial year-end | Standard deadline | e-Filing deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| N | 1 April to 30 November | 2 May (following year) | 2 June |
| D | 1 December to 31 December | 15 August (following year) | 15 September |
| M (profit) | 1 January to 31 March | 15 November (same year) | 15 December |
| M (loss/NIL) | 1 January to 31 March | 31 January (following year) | No further extension |
Example: A company with a 31 December 2025 year-end (Code D) must file BIR51 for the 2025/26 year of assessment by 15 August 2026.
Example: A company with a 31 March 2026 year-end (Code M, profit) must file by 15 November 2026.
Most accountants participate in the IRD's Block Extension Scheme, which automatically grants these extended deadlines. If your accountant is not enrolled, the standard deadline is 1 month from the issue date (1 April), which means BIR51 is due by 2 May.
For newly incorporated companies: the first BIR51 arrives approximately 18 months after incorporation. After that, returns arrive each April on the Code N/D/M schedule above.
For the full BIR51 filing process, forms required, and supplementary schedules, see our Profits Tax Return guide.
Employer's Return deadlines (BIR56A + IR56B)
Every company with employees must file an annual Employer's Return:
| Filing | Trigger | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| BIR56A + IR56B (annual) | IRD issues BIR56A around 1 April | Within 1 month (typically by 1 May) |
| IR56E (new hire) | Employee hired | Within 3 months of hire date |
| IR56F (employee leaves or dies) | Employment ceases | 1 month before the cessation date |
| IR56G (employee leaves HK permanently) | Permanent departure | 1 month before departure. Withhold final pay until IRD tax clearance. |
| IR56M + IR6036B (freelancers) | Annual, with BIR56A | Filed together with BIR56A |
IR56B is required for employees earning above HKD 132,000 for the full year (2024/25 threshold) or for directors regardless of amount. See our Employer's Return guide for the full filing process.
Companies Registry deadlines
Annual Return (NAR1)
The Annual Return (Form NAR1) must be filed with the Companies Registry within 42 days of the company's incorporation anniversary each year.
| Filing fee (filed on time) | Private company: HKD 105 |
|---|---|
| Up to 3 months late | HKD 870 |
| Up to 6 months late | HKD 1,740 |
| Up to 9 months late | HKD 2,610 |
| More than 9 months late | HKD 3,480 |
The NAR1 confirms the company's current officers, registered address, share capital, and shareholder details. Your company secretary files this on your behalf. For the full list of annual obligations including NAR1, see our annual requirements guide.
Business Registration Certificate (BRC) renewal
The BRC must be renewed before the company's incorporation anniversary date each year. The BRC must be displayed at the company's registered address at all times. Allowing the BRC to lapse is a criminal offence under the Business Registration Ordinance.
Current BRC renewal fee: HKD 2,000 (1-year certificate).
MPF contribution deadlines
Every Hong Kong company with employees must make monthly MPF contributions:
| Contribution | Rate | Cap | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer mandatory | 5% of relevant income | HKD 1,500/month max | 10th of the following month |
| Employee mandatory | 5% of relevant income | HKD 1,500/month max | Deducted and remitted by employer |
Example: MPF contributions for May 2026 (wages paid in May) are due by 10 June 2026.
From 1 May 2025, the MPF offsetting mechanism for severance and long service payments was abolished. Mandatory contributions made on or after 1 May 2025 cannot be used to offset these statutory entitlements.
Salaries tax deadlines (for individuals and directors)
Salaries tax is assessed on individuals, not on the company. However, directors receiving fees from a Hong Kong company should be aware:
- The IRD issues salaries tax assessments after the tax year ends (typically October to December)
- Payment is due in 2 installments: approximately 75% in January, 25% in April
- Provisional salaries tax for the following year is billed simultaneously
For the company secretary and directors to claim deductions (MPF contributions, home loan interest, etc.), they must file their personal tax return (BIR60) by 2 June each year.
Full annual compliance calendar
| Month | Obligation | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| April | IRD issues BIR51 and BIR56A | n/a |
| 1 May | Employer's Return (BIR56A + IR56B) due | Within 1 month of issue |
| 2 May | BIR51 due: Code N companies (standard, unenrolled) | 1 month from issue |
| 10 May | MPF contributions for April | 10th of following month |
| 2 June | BIR51 due: Code N e-filing extension | e-Filing extended deadline |
| 2 June | Salaries tax return (BIR60) for individuals | 2 months from issue |
| 15 August | BIR51 due: Code D companies (standard) | n/a |
| 15 September | BIR51 due: Code D e-filing extension | n/a |
| October/November | IRD issues salaries tax assessments | n/a |
| 15 November | BIR51 due: Code M (profit cases) | n/a |
| 15 December | BIR51 due: Code M e-filing extension | n/a |
| January | Salaries tax 1st installment due (75%) | As per IRD notice |
| 31 January | BIR51 due: Code M (loss cases) | Final deadline, no extension |
| April | Salaries tax 2nd installment due (25%) | As per IRD notice |
| Rolling | NAR1: within 42 days of incorporation anniversary | Annual, date varies by company |
| Rolling | BRC renewal: before incorporation anniversary | Annual, date varies by company |
| Rolling | MPF contributions: 10th of each month | Monthly |
What happens if you miss a deadline
Profits tax (BIR51)
If BIR51 is not filed by the deadline, the IRD may:
- Issue an estimated tax assessment (typically higher than your actual liability)
- Initiate penalty proceedings under Section 80(2) or Section 82A of the Inland Revenue Ordinance
- Impose an initial penalty of 10% of the tax assessed
- Impose a further 10% if the return is still outstanding after 6 months
- In serious cases: fine up to HKD 100,000 and/or 3 years imprisonment
You can object to an estimated assessment, but you must file the actual return to resolve it. Always apply in writing for an extension before the deadline, not after.
Employer's Return (BIR56A)
Similar penalty framework applies. The IRD treats Employer's Return as a strict statutory obligation. Late or missing submissions are flagged for enforcement.
NAR1
Late filing fees escalate on a 3-month sliding scale (see table above). The Companies Registry also cross-references NAR1 filing status when processing other company changes.
BRC
Failing to display a valid BRC or allowing it to lapse is a criminal offence. Both the company and its officers are personally liable to fines.
FSIE and recent changes (2023 onwards)
From 1 January 2023, the Foreign-Sourced Income Exemption (FSIE) regime applies to certain passive income (dividends, interest, IP income, disposal gains) received by multinational enterprise groups. If your company is part of a cross-border group and receives offshore passive income, you may need to file supplementary form IR1478 with your BIR51.
From 2023/24, a new tax certainty scheme allows companies to apply for an IRD ruling confirming that gains from disposal of Hong Kong equity interests are capital in nature (and therefore not subject to profits tax). This is relevant for companies planning share sales or restructuring.
These changes do not affect the filing deadlines above. They do affect what supplementary forms must be included with BIR51.
Air Corporate handles audit and tax filing for Hong Kong companies from USD 580/year. This includes BIR51, Employer's Return, IRD correspondence, and all supplementary forms. Get started
