A local private limited company must in respect of every year deliver its annual return to the Registrar of Companies for registration within 42 days after the anniversary of the date of the company’s incorporation in that year (the prescribed time period). The annual return contains the particulars of the company such as the address of the registered office, shareholders, directors, company secretary, etc. as at the made up date of the return.

For a local private limited company, an annual registration fee of HK$105 is payable if the annual return is delivered within 42 days after the most recent anniversary of the date of incorporation of the company.

For late delivery of Annual Returns for registration companies have to pay higher registration fees. For a local private limited company, the registration fee payable for the late delivery of an Annual Return is:

If the Annual Return is delivered :

• more than 42 days after but within 3 months after the company’s return date: HK$870
• more than 3 months after but within 6 months after the company’s return date: HK$1,740
• more than 6 months after but within 9 months after the company’s return date: HK$2,610
• more than 9 months after the company’s return date: HK$3,480

Note: The company’ s return date is the anniversary of the date of the company’ s incorporation in a year.

In addition, according to section 662 of the Companies Ordinance, if a company fails to comply with the provision, the company and every responsible person of the company are liable to prosecution and, if convicted, default fines. The maximum penalty is HK$50,000 for each breach and, in the case of a continuing offence, a daily default fine of HK$1,000.

If you have any queries, please feel free to contact our corporate services team to find out more about how we can help you.