"Annual compliance" for a Hong Kong company is shorthand for two separate statutory duties. First, under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), an annual return (Form NAR1) must be filed with the Companies Registry within the statutory period after the anniversary of incorporation, updating particulars of directors, shareholders, company secretary, registered office and share capital. Second, under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310), the business registration certificate must be renewed with the Business Registration Office of the Inland Revenue Department before expiry. The two duties have different authorities, legal bases and deadlines, and neither substitutes for the other.
Before filing, confirm that the company is in good standing and that its registered particulars are consistent. If there have been changes to directors, shareholders, registered address or share capital, those changes should be filed first; otherwise the annual return may be rejected or additional penalties may arise. Late filing of an annual return is charged on a graduated scale, making it materially more expensive than filing on time.
On fees, a number of third-party websites currently quote conflicting 2026/27 figures for the annual return registration fee and the business registration fee, with several different amounts for the same item. These should not be used for budgeting or client quotations. Verify instead against the fee schedule on the Companies Registry's official site (cr.gov.hk) and the current-year business registration fee notice on the Inland Revenue Department's site (ird.gov.hk), and rely on the official system's calculation on the day of filing.
We recommend putting the anniversary date on the company's compliance calendar, reviewing particulars in advance, budgeting for government fees and retaining filing and payment records. If you need assistance or an assessment of remedies for late filing, contact us and we will check the latest official requirements against your company's circumstances.