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Setting up a company in Hong Kong: tax optimization for content creators (KOL, Content Creator)

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Are you a content creator (KOL, KOC, Youtuber or content creator on social networks who is paying huge amounts of tax when signing contracts with customers, paying taxes periodically every quarter, every year? 

You want to optimize tax costs, reduce tax declaration procedures, and increase income. Establishing a company in Hong Kong is the solution for you. 

GLA will provide a detailed guide on the process of setting up a company in Hong Kong, especially for content creators. By following the right regulations and procedures, content creators can make the most of the benefits and opportunities that a Hong Kong company brings to their business growth. 

1. Content Creator and the benefits of setting up a Hong Kong company

2. Benefits of setting up a company in Hong Kong for content creators

Here are the benefits and importance of forming a company for content creators: 

Hong Kong's strategic location

Hong Kong is known as an international financial and business center, with a business-friendly environment and a reasonable tax system. 

When a content creator owns a company in Hong Kong, they can tap into global business opportunities, attracting international partners and customers. This not only opens the door to increased income, but also helps expand the influence and brand of the content creator.

3. 0% corporate income tax policy for income outside Hong Kong

Hong Kong is known to have the world's simplest and most business-friendly tax system, making the city a preferred choice for conducting international business in Asia.

Corporate income tax applicable in Hong Kong:

  • 8,25% for taxable profits below HK$2 million (HKD)
  • 16,5% for excess

While some other countries' corporate taxes range from 17% to 30%, Hong Kong's corporate tax policy is considered business-friendly, as it is world-competitive. 

Hong Kong's tax system applies a territorial tax system, where tax is based on profits earned from trade or business activities carried out in Hong Kong. Where a company is incorporated in Hong Kong, but profits are generated outside Hong Kong, the business owner can elect to enjoy a 0% tax rate on profits tax. 

One point to note Facebook announced that from June 1, 6, Facebook advertising in Vietnam will be subject to an additional 5% value added tax (VAT)This means that businesses and individuals running ads on Facebook in Vietnam will have to pay an additional 5% tax on each ad spend. 

Another important point is that Google has announced that from April 01, 04, Google advertising in Vietnam will be subject to 10% value added tax (VAT). This means that businesses and individuals running ads on Google in Vietnam will have to pay an additional 10% value added tax on each advertising spend. 

To minimize tax costs, many businesses and individuals, especially content creators, have chosen to set up a company in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is one of the lowest tax regions in the world, including VAT. Therefore, businesses and individuals setting up a company in Hong Kong can enjoy 0% VAT incentives for advertising services.

With the advantages of uncomplicated establishment, tax incentives, open and accessible market as well as developed living environment, content creators have many significant advantages in establishing a company in Hong Kong - an influential international financial center in the world. 

4. Challenges and solutions when setting up a company in Hong Kong for content creators

4.1 Common challenges that Content Creators may encounter when setting up a company in Hong Kong.

  • First, building a brand and creating unique content requires a significant amount of creativity and effort. Content creators need to ensure they have the ability to maintain appeal and attract audiences in new markets. 
  • Second, handling the regulations and legal procedures related to the establishment and operation of a company in Hong Kong to comply with the correct procedures, business regulations, taxes, labor laws, and avoid violating the law. 
  • Third, financial management, tracking income and expenses, preparing financial reports and complying with accounting rules. This ensures that the company operates efficiently and reliably.

5. Conditions for establishing a company in Hong Kong for content creators

Below are the conditions and requirements when establishing a company in Hong Kong: 

Condition Detailed requirements
About shareholders
  • Shareholders of a Hong Kong company may be foreign individuals of any nationality, and need not have a Hong Kong domicile. Shareholders may also act as directors of the company. There is no requirement for local presence or permanent residence in Hong Kong for shareholders.
  • There is no limit on the number of shareholders. However, a private limited company (Company Limited) in Hong Kong has a maximum of 50 shareholders.
  • Shareholders can be individuals or companies. Both 100% local and 100% foreign owned companies are allowed.
About the director
  • Foreign individuals can act as directors in a company and need not be local or permanent residents of Hong Kong.
  • There is no limit on the number of directors. However, directors must be 18 years of age or older and eligible to be directors.
  • Neither the directors nor the shareholders are required to be present in Hong Kong to carry out the company incorporation procedures. However, to open a bank account for the company, the directors must visit a bank representative in Hong Kong. 
About the secretary

When you register a company in Hong Kong, you need to appoint a company secretary. The company secretary is responsible for maintaining and recording the company's books, records and articles of association, ensuring that your company complies with the regulations governing the establishment and maintenance of companies in Hong Kong.

  • If the secretary is an individual, he or she must have a residential address in Hong Kong.
  • If the secretary is a company providing secretarial services to a company registered in Hong Kong, the company providing this service must have a registered office and place of business in Hong Kong. Global Links Asia provides secretarial services to Hong Kong companies in compliance with Hong Kong policies and laws, to support the smooth operation of Hong Kong companies.
Company registration address When registering a Hong Kong company, the company needs to provide a physical address in Hong Kong. A postal address is not accepted.
About equity
  • Although there is no minimum share capital requirement, as a rule, companies incorporated in Hong Kong are required to have at least one shareholder and issue at least one ordinary share. The share capital can be expressed in any currency and does not have to be in Hong Kong Dollars (HKD).
  • Shares are freely transferable and are subject only to a stamp duty fee. However, bearer shares are not transferable.
  • The owner can hold 100% of the shares in the company in Hong Kong.
On Taxation for Hong Kong Companies

Hong Kong has always been considered one of the top choices for businesses thanks to the following attractive tax benefits:

  • Corporate income tax in Hong Kong is levied at rates ranging from 8,25% to 16,5% on the profits of companies incorporated in Hong Kong.
  • Hong Kong uses a source-based taxation system, which only applies tax to profits generated in or sourced from Hong Kong. Foreign-sourced income is 100% exempt from corporate income tax.
  • Hong Kong does not impose goods and services tax, as well as value added tax (GST/VAT), withholding tax, capital gains tax, or dividend tax.

6. Procedures for setting up a company in Hong Kong for content creators

The company name of the enterprise can be in Traditional Chinese, English or both.

Enterprises choose Hong Kong company type, can choose 3 main types of company in Hong Kong

  • Private Limited Company is the most popular choice for foreign investors.
  • Sole Proprietorship 
  • Partnership

You need to prepare documents to register a Hong Kong company with the Company Registrar, including:

  • Company name
  • Registered address
  • Summary of business activities
  • Specific information of shareholders, directors and company secretary
  • Responsibilities of members
  • Copy of passport, proof of address of residence abroad, bank reference letter for information of shareholders and directors

The application review time will be about 5 - 7 working days, you will receive the Certificate of Incorporation of Hong Kong Company. You need to renew the Certificate of Incorporation annually. 

Content creators are required to register a Hong Kong company with the Inland Revenue Department within one month of incorporation with the Companies Registrar. Upon receipt of the application, the Company 

The Hong Kong Revenue Department will issue a Business Registration Certificate on the next working day upon receipt of the application. The Hong Kong Company Tax Identification Number is the business registration number on the Business Registration Certificate. 

Content creators setting up a Hong Kong company can open a corporate bank account in Singapore, Hong Kong or Offshore countries. You can choose to open a digital bank account or a physical bank account or both. 

  • Digital bank account: has a quick opening time (from 5-7 business days), no minimum balance requirement, low transfer and maintenance fees compared to bank accounts. 
  • Physical bank account: has a long opening time (from 2-3 months), requires a minimum balance, transfer and maintenance fees higher than digital bank accounts. 

4. How does GLA support content creators in setting up a one-stop company in Hong Kong?

GLA provides a complete, professional Hong Kong company formation service for businesses/individual investors in general and content creators in particular. This service package includes:

GLA with over 10 years of experience, supporting over 750 clients with a team of experienced experts and knowledgeable about business regulations in Hong Kong will support content creators comprehensively from company registration to effective post-establishment business management. 

Icon gla element Highlights
  • Setting up a Hong Kong company is the solution for content creators who want to optimize tax costs.
  • Hong Kong companies will enjoy 0% corporate income tax on foreign income by filing an Offshore Claim Form.
  • If you want to compare company establishment in Singapore and the US, please refer to: Singapore company formation process / US Company Formation Process.

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