Notice of no objection from IRD in Hong Kong

Do I Need a Notice of No Objection From the IRD to Deregister My Company?

Yes. A notice of no objection from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) is mandatory before you can apply to deregister a private company or a company limited by guarantee. You cannot file Form NDR1 with the Companies Registry until you have this notice.

The Commissioner of Inland Revenue will only issue the notice after confirming all tax matters are settled. This means the final profits tax return, the final audit, and any outstanding tax liabilities must be resolved. The IRD will also verify the Business Registration Certificate is in order.

Obtaining a Notice of No Objection From the IRD Hong Kong

The notice of no objection is the Commissioner of Inland Revenue's written confirmation that the IRD does not object to the company being removed from the register. You must attach this notice to your Form NDR1 application.

The Companies Registry will reject any application without this notice. The IRD issues it only after reviewing the company's tax position and confirming all tax obligations are met.

Hong Kong Company Closure IRD Clearance

IRD clearance is the first step in closing a Hong Kong company, preceding any action by the Companies Registry. The process requires submitting the final audited financial statements and the final profits tax return to the IRD for assessment of any outstanding tax liabilities.

If the company has ceased trading, you must also notify the IRD that the Business Registration Certificate is no longer required. This clearance is not automatic; the IRD must actively confirm it has no objection.

IRD Notice of No Objection for Deregistration

The IRD notice of no objection for deregistration is the specific document the Commissioner issues once tax clearance is complete. It confirms the IRD has no objection to the company being dissolved under section 750 of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622). Without this notice, the Companies Registry cannot process your Form NDR1. The notice is valid only for the deregistration application it accompanies; a fresh notice is required if the application lapses.

Form NDR1 IRD Notice

Form NDR1 is the application to deregister a private company or a company limited by guarantee. The form requires you to attach the notice of no objection from the Commissioner of Inland Revenue. The Companies Registry will reject the application without this attachment.

File the form with the Companies Registry, not the IRD. The IRD notice is the supporting document proving tax clearance was obtained.

Tax Clearance for Company Closure Hong Kong

Tax clearance means the IRD has confirmed the company has no outstanding tax liabilities. This requires:

• Final profits tax return filed and assessed
• Final audit completed
• Any provisional tax or holdover issues resolved
• Business Registration Certificate dealt with

The IRD will not issue the notice of no objection until it is satisfied on all these points. The clearance process takes several weeks after the final return is filed.

What to Do Next

1. Complete the final audit of the company's financial statements.
2. File the final profits tax return with the IRD.
3. Apply to the IRD for the notice of no objection.
4. Once received, file Form NDR1 with the Companies Registry together with the notice.

The Companies Registry will then publish a notice in the Gazette. If no objections are received within three months, the company is dissolved.