Hong Kong Tax Haven – Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

  • Post category:Hong Kong

Hong Kong is known as a tax haven that provides low or no corporate tax rates to overseas investors. Such a nation is a great spot to incorporate a corporation because of this benefit alone.

This is one of the best places to keep the majority of your money. Several tax havens offer a stable political and economic climate that is convenient for business establishment by outsiders.

Hong Kong Tax Haven Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

WHY IS HONG KONG CONSIDERED A TAX HAVEN?

ATTRACTIVE TAX STRUCTURE

One of the world’s top financial centers is Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Area (SAR) of China. As a result, several of the top banks in the world have operations there. One of the world’s major stock exchanges is located on the island. Foreigners do not need to worry about conducting business in the inferior Chinese yuan because Hong Kong has its own currency, the Hong Kong dollar.

There are many reasons why wealthy foreigners should bank their money in Hong Kong. The island does not tax revenue received outside of its borders, for one thing. Salary earners in the region pay an income tax that ranges from 2% to 17%, which is much less than the taxes paid on salaries in the West. 2 Corporate tax rates range from 8.25% to 16.5%, depending on how much profit is made in Hong Kong. 

The autonomous area does not impose tax on capital gains, interest, or dividends, which is much more advantageous. Net wealth taxes and public benefits taxes, which are comparable to Social Security taxes in the United States, are not levied against foreigners who maintain their money in Hong Kong. Shopping in Hong Kong is still advantageous for high-net-worth persons even if they do not store their financial assets there because there is no sales tax to be paid.

COMMITMENT TO SECRECY

Hong Kong ranks fourth on the Financial Secrecy Index. The fact that they often restrict the public publication of information about companies and their owners is another characteristic of tax havens.

These havens are ranked on the Tax Justice Network’s financial secrecy index and are frequently referred to as secrecy countries.

Hong Kong has a strong commitment to protecting the privacy of those who keep their money there. They go to great lengths to protect asset owners’ privacy.

GLOBAL AND REGIONAL FINANCE HUB

Hong Kong is a premier financial center in the globe. Major banks are well-represented in Hong Kong with their businesses. The nation establishes its own currency and has unrestricted capital flows.

EASE OF DOING BUSINESS

The Ease of Doing Business 2020 Report ranked Hong Kong as the third-easiest place to conduct business in the world. Notably, the nation came in first place for “handling construction permits” and second for “paying taxes”.

The city has also put several reforming ideas into practice to make conducting business easier. And because of this, it consistently ranks at the top.

A STABLE ECONOMY

Together with Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan, Hong Kong is regarded as one of the four Asian Tigers. Hong Kong’s economy is a free market economy, and the Heritage Foundation has named it the freest economy in the world.

Hong Kong’s economy, which is based on laissez-faire capitalism, is renowned for having low taxes and little government involvement. The city has minimal resources, yet it is one of the world’s main financial centers.

The Hong Kong dollar, the currency of Hong Kong, is linked to the US dollar.

The city is served by a vast network of highways, bridges, and railroads, all of which have well-developed transportation infrastructure.

Many of the tallest skyscrapers in the world are found in Hong Kong, a popular tourist destination. Other prestigious universities, like the University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, are also located in the city.

If you are interested in establishing a company here, refer to our page, Hong Kong Company Formation.

Reach out to us at Relin Consultants to know more.

FAQs

What separates HK from other tax havens?

In addition to having strict privacy regulations and advantageous tax structures, Hong Kong continues to have an economic advantage over other offshore havens.

How does the tax system in Hong Kong work?

Hong Kong has a territorial tax system, meaning that any income generated or derived there is subject to taxation.

For unincorporated enterprises, the corporate tax rate is 7.5% for the first HK$ 2 million and 15% for amounts over HK$ 2 million. For incorporated firms, this is 8.25% on the first HK$ 2 million in profits and 16.5% thereafter.

Capital gains, shareholder dividends, and income derived from overseas sources are exempt from corporate taxation. The possibility of a tax exemption exists if you incorporate an offshore business in Hong Kong.

Are tax evasion and avoidance the same thing?

No, they mean something entirely different. While tax evasion is the deliberate underpayment or nonpayment of taxes, tax avoidance is a lawful strategy to reduce the amount of income tax payable.

What taxes are Hong Kong residents subject to?

Hong Kong levies three different kinds of taxes. These include corporate, personal, and property taxes.