Hong Kong Annual Statutory Forms: NAR1, BIR51, IR56B and Other Yearly Filing Requirements

Hong Kong Annual Statutory Forms NAR1 BIR51 IR56B

Every Hong Kong company files three core annual statutory forms. The Hong Kong annual statutory forms NAR1 BIR51 IR56B are the annual return to the Companies Registry, the profits tax return to the Inland Revenue Department, and the employer’s return of employee remuneration. Missing any of these is the single most common compliance failure for Hong Kong companies. Consequences range from late fees to strike-off and estimated assessments.

Hong Kong Annual Return Form NAR1 Deadline

File the NAR1 annual return with the Companies Registry within 42 days after the anniversary of incorporation. The return date is fixed as the incorporation anniversary each year. For a re-domiciled company, the clock runs from the anniversary of registration.

The on-time registration fee for a private company is HK$105. Deliver the NAR1 late and the fee rises sharply:

A company that has declared itself dormant under section 661 of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) is exempt from filing the annual return. For all other companies, failure to file the NAR1 on time may result in the company being struck off the register. The company ceases to exist and its assets vest in the government.

Hong Kong Profits Tax Return BIR51 Filing

The Inland Revenue Department issues the BIR51 profits tax return to corporations on a return date that varies by company. The IRD issues the return in the first week of April each year for the year of assessment just ended, covering the period ending on the company’s accounting reference date. The filing deadline is stated on the return form itself: one month from the issue date.

Extensions may be granted to companies that file through a tax representative. The extension period depends on the company’s accounting year-end date.

Failure to file the BIR51 on time triggers an estimated assessment. The department computes the tax due based on its own estimate, and this assessment is immediately payable. Late filing penalties may also apply under the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112). The IRD can compound offences and may impose a fine of up to HK$10,000 and three times the amount of tax undercharged for deliberate non-compliance.

The BIR51 filing must be accompanied by supplementary forms from S1 to S18, depending on the company’s business activities and entity type. From the year of assessment 2025-26, mandatory electronic filing applies to in-scope multinational enterprise groups. Financial statements and tax computations must be tagged in iXBRL format.

Hong Kong Employer Return IR56B Due Date

The IR56B is the annual return of an employee’s remuneration. It forms part of the larger employer’s return, which starts with the BIR56A form. File the BIR56A together with IR56B returns for each employee who received remuneration during the year of assessment. The deadline is within one month of the employer’s return deadline, which is 1 May each year. The IRD issues the BIR56A to employers in early April. The completed return with all attached IR56B forms must reach the department within one month of the issue date.

Each IR56B must report the employee’s full name, Hong Kong identity card number, and residential address. It must also report all remuneration paid: salaries, wages, bonuses, commissions, allowances, and any share awards or stock option gains. Report the employee’s employment period and whether the employee ceased employment during the year.

Late filing of the IR56B can result in a fine of up to HK$10,000 under Cap. 112. The IRD may also compound the offence, issuing a fixed penalty notice of HK$800 for a first late return.

BIR56A Employer’s Return Remuneration and Pensions

The BIR56A is the covering schedule for all employee returns. It summarises the total number of employees and the aggregate remuneration paid. Complete the declaration and attach the individual IR56B forms for each employee.

The BIR56A must also report any employees who ceased employment during the year, those who commenced employment, and any employees who are about to depart Hong Kong. For departing employees, file Form IR56G in addition to the IR56B.

Dormant Company Exemption

A private company that has declared itself dormant under section 661 of Cap. 622 is exempt from filing the NAR1 annual return. Make the declaration of dormancy by special resolution and file it with the Companies Registry using Form NDR1 or by passing the special resolution itself.

Dormancy does not exempt the company from profits tax or employer returns. If the dormant company has zero profits, it must still file a nil return on BIR51. If the dormant company has no employees, it does not need to file BIR56A or IR56B. The IRD may still issue a profits tax return that must be answered.

Consequences of Missing the Forms

The three forms operate on separate statutory clocks. Each carries its own penalty regime. The NAR1 triggers escalating registration fees and the risk of strike-off. The BIR51 triggers estimated assessments and penalties up to treble the tax undercharged. The IR56B risks fixed penalty notices and compounding fines. A company that misses all three is likely to be struck off within months. Directors of a struck-off company may face personal liability for debts incurred after the company ceased to be in good standing.

Where to Find the Official Forms

The Companies Registry publishes all specified forms, including NAR1, on its forms index at https://www.cr.gov.hk/en/forms/specified.htm. The Inland Revenue Department publishes BIR51, IR56B, BIR56A and all other tax forms at https://www.ird.gov.hk/eng/paf/bus.htm. Always download the latest version from the official site. The Registry revises forms periodically and a stale copy may be rejected.

Filing Channels

The Companies Registry accepts NAR1 filing through its e-Services portal at https://www.eregistry.gov.hk/ and by paper. The Inland Revenue Department accepts BIR51 through the Business Tax Portal and the Tax Representative Portal. From the year of assessment 2025-26, mandatory electronic filing applies to relevant entities of in-scope multinational enterprise groups. Paper filing remains available for other entities, but the department has stated an intention to reach full electronic filing by 2030.

Recommendation

Mark three calendar dates: the incorporation anniversary (for NAR1), the date the IRD issues the profits tax return (April), and the date the employer’s return is issued (also April). Engage a company secretary or tax representative who can monitor these deadlines and file on your behalf. These are non-negotiable annual obligations. Missing them is the most common reason Hong Kong companies fall into compliance trouble.