SERVICES

Due Diligence on Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions | Bestar Due Diligence on Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions Corporate mergers and acquisitions (M&A) due diligence in Hong Kong requires a multi-faceted investigation covering local statutory compliance, corporate searches, and cross-border risks with mainland China. Core focus areas include verifying the Companies Registry filings, checking the Significant Controllers Register (SCR), and reviewing contracts, litigation, an

Share Transfer | Bestar Share Transfer Transferring shares in a Hong Kong private company requires board approval, execution of an Instrument of Transfer and Contract Notes, mandatory stamping via the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) e-Stamping portal and updating the company's internal Register of Members. Stamp duty costs 0.2% of the consideration or fair market value (whichever is higher), split evenly between buyer and seller. Step 1: Corporate Approvals & Paperwork 📌 Che

Hong Kong ORSO Tax Deductibility Rules | Bestar Hong Kong ORSO Tax Deductibility Rules IRD Tax Deductibility (Section 16A & 17(1)(h) of the Inland Revenue Ordinance) Under Hong Kong tax regulations, employer contributions to a registered ORSO scheme are tax-deductible under Profits Tax, provided specific criteria are met: A. Regular Employer Contributions Deductibility: Fully deductible from Profits Tax as ordinary business expenditure. Cap Limit: Under Section 16A of the IRO

Hong Kong Company Formation Process | Bestar Hong Kong Company Formation Process Setting up a private limited company in Hong Kong is fast and fully digital. The process takes about 1 to 5 working days. You need a unique name, one shareholder and director of any nationality, a local company secretary, and a local registered address. Foreigners can own 100% of the shares. Key Requirements Shareholders & Directors: At least one person or corporate body of any nationality. O

Local Professional Service Hong Kong | Bestar Local Professional Service Hong Kong Hong Kong offers a robust ecosystem of local professional services, spanning corporate incorporation, accounting, legal counsel, and management consulting. Corporate & Secretarial Services Company incorporation and registration Registered address and nominee director options Corporate governance and annual filings Regulatory compliance support Accounting & Tax Advisory Financial statement prepa

Due Diligence Hong Kong | Bestar Due Diligence Hong Kong Due diligence in Hong Kong involves investigating a company or asset's legal, financial, and operational status before a business deal. Essential steps include official registry searches, checking court and land records, and evaluating financial health. Key Public Registry Searches Companies Registry: Check legal status, registration, and active directors. Land Registry: Verify property ownership, mortgages, and charges

Hong Kong Stamp Duty Relief | Bestar Hong Kong Stamp Duty Relief Hong Kong provides stamp duty relief primarily through Section 45 of the Stamp Duty Ordinance (SDO), which covers the transfer of Hong Kong stock or immovable property within corporate groups. Significant enhancements to Section 45 were introduced in the 2026/27 Budget, substantially relaxing the criteria for intra-group restructurings. 1. Intra-Group Transfer Relief (Section 45 SDO) Section 45 allows corpor

Trust Company Registered Under the Trustee Ordinance | Bestar Trust Company Registered Under the Trustee Ordinance A trust company registered under Part VIII of the Hong Kong Trustee Ordinance (Cap. 29) is a corporate body authorized to act as an executor, administrator, or trustee. Unlike standard Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP) licensees, these registered entities have explicit statutory powers to handle court-appointed trusts and probate applications. Key Registra

Hong Kong SPV Fund Administration & Compliance | Bestar Hong Kong SPV Fund Administration & Compliance Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) in Hong Kong are key building blocks in fund management structures—used by private equity, venture capital, real estate, and hedge funds (such as Limited Partnership Funds [LPFs] or Open-ended Fund Companies [OFCs]) to isolate liability, ring-fence specific deal assets, facilitate joint ventures, and optimize tax efficiency under Hong Kong's U

Corporate Trustee's Constitution | Bestar Corporate Trustee's Constitution In Hong Kong, a corporate trustee's constitution is governed by its Articles of Association under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) and specific operational parameters under the Trustee Ordinance (Cap. 29) or Registered Trustees Incorporation Ordinance (Cap. 306). Key constitutional and structural requirements for setting up or reviewing a corporate trustee/trust company via the Hong Kong Companies R

Corporate Tax Filing | Bestar Corporate Tax Filing Corporate tax filing in Hong Kong requires submitting a Profits Tax Return (Form BIR51) along with audited financial statements and a tax computation to the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department (IRD). The process follows a territorial tax system with a two-tiered profit tax rate. Key Filing Requirements and Deadlines Tax Rates: 8.25% on the first HK$2 million of assessable profits and 16.5% on remaining profits for corporation

Corporate Secretarial Services | Bestar Corporate Secretarial Services Corporate secretarial services in Hong Kong are a legal requirement for all registered companies, with key providers like Bestar offering essential compliance and governance support. Legal Requirements Mandatory role: Every Hong Kong company must appoint a company secretary under the Companies Ordinance. Residency rule: The secretary must be a local resident individual (at least 18 years old) or a corporat

Company Incorporation in Hong Kong | Bestar Company Incorporation in Hong Kong Incorporating a Hong Kong company is highly streamlined and can be done entirely remotely. The most common entity is a Private Limited Company. Key requirements include at least one director (any nationality), one shareholder, a local registered office, and a mandatory Hong Kong-resident company secretary. Core Requirements Directors & Shareholders: Minimum of one individual or corporate director a

Revenue Presentation (HKFRS 15 / SME-FRS) Revenue Presentation: Principal vs. Agent | Bestar Revenue Presentation: Principal vs. Agent Assessment under HKFRS 15 / SME-FRS When structuring or reviewing distributor and user terms for Hong Kong operations, the principal-versus-agent determination is critical. Under both HKFRS 15 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers) and the Hong Kong Small and Medium-Sized Entity Financial Reporting Standard (SME-FRS), the classification dicta

Hong Kong SME Reporting Exemption Procedures | Bestar Hong Kong SME Reporting Exemption Procedures The Reporting Exemption in Hong Kong allows qualifying small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to prepare simplified financial statements and directors' reports. It is important to clarify a common misconception: The reporting exemption is not an audit exemption. Under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), almost all companies incorporated in Hong Kong must have their

Hong Kong Holding Company Tax Exemption | Bestar Hong Kong Holding Company Tax Exemption In 2026, Hong Kong remains a highly attractive jurisdiction for holding companies due to its territorial tax system, absence of capital gains tax, and lack of dividend withholding tax. Core Tax Advantages for Holding Companies Territorial Tax System: Hong Kong generally only taxes profits that arise in or are derived from Hong Kong. Profits earned from activities outside of Hong Kong may

ORSO Scheme Basic Requirements | Bestar ORSO Scheme Basic Requirements For schemes registered under the Occupational Retirement Schemes Ordinance (ORSO), the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) mandates several key governance and operational requirements to ensure the security and proper management of scheme assets: 1. Trusteeship Independence: For schemes governed by a trust, there must be at least one independent trustee. Restrictions: This independent trustee

ORSO schemes must be registered with or exempted by the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) ORSO Scheme Registration and Exemption | Bestar ORSO Scheme Registration and Exemption Under the Occupational Retirement Schemes Ordinance (ORSO), any employer operating an occupational retirement scheme in Hong Kong is legally required to apply to the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) for either a registration certificate or an exemption certificate. Oper

To establish an ORSO scheme, participation rules are governed by the specific scheme’s trust deed ORSO Scheme Participation Rules Governed | Bestar ORSO Scheme Participation Rules Governed For an Occupational Retirement Schemes Ordinance (ORSO) scheme, the trust deed and the accompanying scheme rules serve as the governing legal framework. These documents are the primary authority that dictates participation requirements, eligibility, contribution rates, vesting scales, and

a guide to the occupational retirement schemes ordinance Hong Kong ORSO Scheme Guide | Bestar Hong Kong ORSO Scheme Guide The Occupational Retirement Schemes Ordinance (ORSO) (Chapter 426) is the legislation governing voluntary, employer-sponsored retirement schemes in Hong Kong. Enacted in 1993, it predates the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) system and remains a key tool for corporations aiming to attract and retain talent through flexible, highly customizable retirement ben