How to Open an Offshore Company

How_to_open_an_offshore_company

Opening an offshore company can provide numerous benefits, including tax optimization, asset protection, and international business expansion. Popular offshore zones include Hong Kong, the British Virgin Islands (BVI), Seychelles, Dubai, Singapore, Switzerland, and the UK.  

Why Open an Offshore Company?
– Tax Advantages – Many offshore zones offer low or zero corporate tax rates.  
– Asset Protection – Safeguard assets from lawsuits and creditors.  
– Confidentiality – Offshore companies often ensure privacy for owners.  
– Global Banking Access – Open accounts in offshore banks for international transactions.  

Popular Offshore Zones:
1. Hong Kong Offshore Company– Strong banking system, low taxes.  
2. British Virgin Islands (BVI) Offshore Company – No corporate tax, high confidentiality.  
3. Seychelles Offshore Company– Fast registration, tax-free benefits.  
4. Dubai Offshore Company – Zero taxes, business-friendly policies.  
5. Singapore Offshore Company– Reputable jurisdiction, strong legal system.  
6. Switzerland Offshore– Banking privacy, stability.  
7. UK Offshore Company– Prestigious, non-resident tax benefits.  

How to Register an Offshore Company:
1. Choose a Jurisdiction – Select between Hong Kong, BVI, Seychelles, etc.  
2. Prepare Documents – Passport, proof of address, company name.  
3. Submit Application – Work with a registered agent for offshore company registration.  
4. Open a Bank Account – Select an offshore bank for financial operations.  

Offshore Banking.
You can open an account in an offshore zone to manage international transactions securely. Popular choices include:  
– Switzerland Offshore Bank– High security and privacy.  
– Singapore Offshore Bank– Strong financial hub.  
– Offshore British Virgin Islands Bank– Flexible banking solutions.  

Whether you want to buy an offshore company, register a company in an offshore zone, or open an offshore bank account, selecting the right jurisdiction is crucial. Consult with experts to ensure compliance and maximize benefits.  

Start your offshore journey today!

How to Open a Bank Account Abroad

How_to_open_a_bank_account_abroad

Opening a bank account abroad can provide financial flexibility, access to foreign currencies, and international investment opportunities. Whether you need a payment account abroad for business, a brokerage account abroad for investments, or simply want to transfer money to an account abroad.


Why Open an Account Abroad?


– Hold multiple currencies with currency accounts abroad.  
– Easily transfer to an account abroad for international transactions.  
– Manage tax accounts abroad for legal tax optimization.  
– Access global markets with a brokerage account abroad.  
– Securely top up account abroad for travel or business needs.  

Types of Accounts You Can Open Abroad  
1. Personal bank account abroad – For daily transactions and savings.  
2. Currency accounts abroad – Hold USD, EUR, or other foreign currencies.  
3. Payment account abroad – Useful for freelancers and businesses.  
4. Brokerage account abroad – Invest in international stocks and assets.  
5. Account of the company abroad – For international business operations.  

How to Open an Account in a Bank Abroad  
1. Choose a Country & Bank  
– Popular destinations: Switzerland, Singapore, USA, UAE, EU countries, Hong Kong.  
– Research banks that allow you to open an account online abroad.  

2. Prepare Required Documents 
– Passport & proof of address.  
– Tax ID (for opening account abroad tax compliance).  
– Business documents (if opening an account of the company abroad).  

3. Submit an Application 
– Some banks let you open an account in a bank abroad remotely.  
– Others may require an in-person visit.  

4. Fund Your Account
– Transfer money to account abroad from your home bank.  
– Use services like SberBank to transfer to account abroad.  
– Top up account abroad via wire transfer or cryptocurrency.  

How to Transfer Money to an Account Abroad 
– Bank wire transfers (SWIFT/SEPA).  
– Digital wallets (PayPal, Wise).  
– Cryptocurrency transfers (Bitcoin, USDT).  

Tax & Legal Considerations
– Check tax accounts abroad rules in your home country.  
– Some countries require reporting money on account abroad if it exceeds a threshold.  

Can You Open an Account Abroad?  
Yes! Many banks allow non-residents to open an account abroad, but requirements vary. Some banks offer account open abroad services digitally, while others require residency.  

Whether you need a bank account abroad for travel, business, or investments, the process is simpler than ever. With options to open a currency account abroad or manage a brokerage account abroad, you can optimize finances globally. Just ensure compliance with account abroad tax laws and choose the right bank for your needs.  


Legal Address in China and Hong Kong: Key Requirements and Differences

中国_大陆_的_法律_地址_要求

When registering a company in Mainland China or Hong Kong, one of the essential requirements is providing a legal address (also known as a registered address). This address serves as the official location of the business for government correspondence, tax purposes, and legal notifications.  


Legal Address in Mainland China:

Requirements:


– Must be a real, physical address (P.O. boxes are not accepted).

– Should match the business scope and local regulations (some industries require specific zones, like free trade zones).  
– Foreign companies often use:  
 – A leased office (with a rental contract).  
 – A virtual office (if allowed in the region).  
 – A registered agent’s address (common for WFOEs and representative offices).  


Key Restrictions:
– Some cities (like Beijing and Shanghai) have strict zoning laws.  
– Residential addresses are usually not allowed for business registration (exceptions exist in certain free trade zones)


2. Legal Address in Hong Kong 

Requirements:  
– Can be a commercial or residential address (unlike Mainland China).  
– Many companies use secretarial service providers that offer registered addresses along with mail handling.  

Key Benefits:
-No restrictions on foreign ownership.  
– Lower costs compared to Mainland China (many firms provide affordable registered address services).  


3. Differences Between China and Hong Kong

AspectMainland ChinaHong Kong
Address TypeMust be commercial (with few exceptions)Can be commercial or residential
Virtual OfficesLimited availability (depends on the city)Widely accepted  
P.O. BoxesNot allowedAllowed (if registered with HK Post)
CostHigher (due to stricter requirements)  Lower (flexible options available)

4. How to Obtain a Legal Address?  
– In China: Lease an office or use a registered agent service (common for WFOEs).  
– In Hong Kong: Use a company secretary service, which often includes a legal address.  

Choosing the right legal address is crucial for compliance in both China and Hong Kong. While Mainland China has stricter requirements, Hong Kong offers more flexibility, making it a popular choice for international businesses.  

Hong Kong company registration

香港_公司_注册_指南

Hong Kong is one of the best places in Asia to start a business due to its low taxes, strong legal system, and international reputation. If you want to establish a Hong Kong company, the most common structure is a Hong Kong limited company.


Why Choose a Hong Kong Limited Company?
– Tax Benefits: Corporate tax rate is only 16.5% (for profits).  
– No Restrictions on Foreign Ownership: 100% foreign shareholders allowed.  
– Strong Legal System: Based on English common law.  
– Global Business Hub: Easy access to China and international markets.  


Hong Kong Company Registration Process: 
1. Choose a Company Name (Must be unique and end with “Limited” (e.g., “ABC Trading Limited”).  

2. Physical Director with age 18 or above
3. Prepare Documents – Director and shareholder IDs, business scope, registered address in Hong Kong.  
3. Submit to the Hong Kong Company Register.
4. Receive Certificate of Incorporation.


Process Time will be 7 working days after receiving all required document. After registration, the Company Registry issues a Business Registration Certificate (BR) via the Business Registration Office. If you plan to set up or manage a Hong Kong company, you’ll need to interact with key government bodies, including the Business Registration Office (BRO), Companies Registry (CR), and Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department (IRD). Here’s how these agencies work and what you need to know.


1. Hong Kong Companies Registry – Registering Your Business

The Hong Kong Companies Registry (CR) is responsible for the incorporation and regulation of companies in Hong Kong.  

Key Functions:

-Company Incorporation: Registers new Hong Kong limited companies.
– Annual Returns: Requires companies to submit yearly updates.  
– Public Record Maintenance: Provides access to company details (e.g., directors, shareholders). 


2. Business Registration Office – Legalizing Your Business


The Business Registration Office (BRO) operates under the IRD and ensures all businesses in Hong Kong are properly registered.  
Key Requirements:  

– Every company must obtain a Business Registration Certificate (BRC) within 30 days of incorporation.  
– The BRC must be renewed annually (or every 3 years for some businesses).  
– Display the BRC at your business location.  


3. Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department (IRD) – Tax Compliance

The IRD oversees taxation, including profits tax, salaries tax, and property tax.  

Key Responsibilities: 
– Profits Tax Filing (16.5% for corporations).  
– Employer Tax Obligations (MPF contributions, payroll reporting).  
– Tax Audits & Investigations.  



Major Corporate Tax in China Mainland (not Hong Kong)

In the article we would like to regard two major corporate tax in Mainland China. This is Value Added Tax (VAT) and Profit tax.


1) Standard VAT rate for goods is 13%. Tax is to be paid on monthly base.

As the base for calculation is Government invoice value. 政府发票.

All these invoices are recorded in Tax Department. Tax Department may impose some restrictions on value or the number of invoices and is eligible for checking all invoices for the company.

The value of all invoices, issued by the company with money received, should be deducted the value of all invoices, settled by the company for the same period (cost of sales or cost of the product). Then 13% of the difference should be settled to the government through designated bank account for the previous month.

VAT is not applicable to many services, like transportation and other services.

VAT may be lowered for small companies with revenue less than 700 000 RMB and companies for the 1st operating year.


2) Profit Tax.

Government invoices also act as the base for the calculation of the profit tax. Calculation should be done quarterly in the beginning of the quarter for the previous one.

For the companies with net profit less than 3 millions, the profit tax is only 5%. For companies with profit over 3 millions, the profit tax is up to 25%.

Many cities and special regions may have tax policy differences. Also there are special rates for some types of goods, like innovative and eco-related goods.

Above rates are applicable to standard goods in Guangzhou region, where our company mostly operates.

The change of registration number in company documents for HK company

HK_CR_logo

Dear Colleagues,

Starting from 27th Dec 2023, the 2nd phase of the law about Unique Business Identifier (“UBI”) takes force.

The main idea of the changes is that start from 27th Dec 2023 Business Registration Number (“BRN”) (i.e. first 8 digits of the number which can be found in Business Registration Certificate) will become Unique Business Identifier (“UBI”).

This number “UBI” will also be implemented as the number in the 2nd chief company document: Certificate of Incorporation (“CI”).

Now let’s see how these changes influence our business practice.

  • BRN will be officially the main number for communication with Inland Revenue Department and Company Registry;
  • No any actions are required for CIs, which already were issued before the designated date. But in the case you will need the updated number for some reason, there’s special form for this;

As usual, clients of Asia Corp Prom has nothing to worry about. We are familiar with all the changes and we will follow up correctly everything.

The official document you can find by clicking this link: Companies Registry External Circular No. 3 / 2023

Changes in tax reporting for HK companies

tax-return-photo

Dear Colleagues,

We would like to draw your attention to the changes in HK tax legislation which occurred recently. The changes are related to companies’ “no-activity” reporting.

https://www.ird.gov.hk/eng/ppr/archives/23040301.htm

“Starting from this year, all corporations and businesses, regardless of the amount of their gross income and the mode of return filing, must submit their profits tax returns together with all supporting documents (including financial statements and profits tax computations). “

In other words, starting from this year April, if the company claims “no commercial activity” it should provide profit tax return together with Audit report.

Besides, financial statement should include at least all government fees, company secretary charges or registered address charges and other compulsory charges. All these charges occur anyway if they company is not dormant status and even if the company claims “no commercial activity” in profit tax-return.

We as usual recommend all our clients to do accounting base on the HK ordinance.

China Income Tax for corporations including WOFE (wholly owned foreign enterprise) – recent updates!

China_income_tax_photo

China Income Tax is the standard and basic corporate tax in China. Its standard rate is 25%.

But besides standard rate, many companies may be entitled for more preferential rate, among them:

– companies, which may be qualified as high-tech companies, are entitled for 15% tax rate;

– companies, which may be qualified as engaged in environment protection, are entitled for 15% tax rate;

– there’s also a long list of territories and industries, which are entitled for 15% tax rate, for example corporates from Nansha district, Hainan district and so on;

We would like to pay additional attention to tax burden for small-scaled companies. Most of our clients may be classified to this category.

For small-scaled companies with annual profit not exceeding 3 million RMB, and for companies which may be classified as thin profit business, the effective income tax rate from 1st Jan 2022 up to 31st dec 2024 is only 5%. And for companies with profit less than 1 million RMB the effective tax rate is only 2,5% for period start from 1st Jan 2021 up to 31st dec 2022 and the grace period might be prolonged.

This income tax rate is surely one of the lowest in the world ever.

The closesure of private information in the Companies Register of Hong Kong (HK CR)

HK_CR_logo

New Inspection Regime of the Companies Register (“the Register”) under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) (“CO”) takes force on 24th October 2022.

The main changes are related to the search of public information in Company Registry.

The information on companies was open to public before the law takes force.

Starting from 24th October the Company Registry Search will be partially closed to public. Information on directors and shareholders will be shown just partially. Thus only 4 last numbers or letters of identity document number or name will be visible for public access.

Besides, the changes will also influence the residential address of the individuals, which must be hidden from the public access. Only correspondence address now will be in open access for the public.

The full access to company registry information from now on will be available only for professional companies, like company secretary, lawyers, auditors and so on. So the required information might be received through the form of official inquiry from the professional company.

All clients of Asia Corp Prom Services Company Limited (TCSP licensee) will get the correspondence address as our company address by default.