Hong Kong Company Formation- Company Formation, offshore company formation, offshore company, limited company

Hong Kong Company Formation: Property Tax

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Company Formation Hong Kong and Property Tax

The Scope of the Charge

Property Tax is charged on the owners of land and/or buildings in Hong Kong and is computed at the standard rate on the net assessable value of the property. The standard rate is 16% for 2005/06 to 2007/08 and 15% from 2008/09 onwards.

Property owners subject to Property Tax will enjoy a reduction of 75% of the final tax for the year of assessment 2007/08, subject to a ceiling of $25,000 per case.

The Basis of Assessment

The assessable value is computed by reference to the actual consideration payable to the owner in respect of the right of use of the property. Examples of consideration to be included in the assessable value are gross rent received or receivable, payment for the right of use of premises under licence, lump sum premium, service charges or management fees paid to the owner, and the owner’s expenditure (e.g. repairs) borne by the tenant. The net assessable value is the assessable value (after deduction of rates agreed to be paid and paid by the owner and irrecoverable rent, but not other payments e.g. government rent and management fee) less a 20% statutory allowance for repairs and outgoings. However, any sums previously deducted as irrecoverable and then recovered should be treated as consideration in the year of recovery.

Properties for Owner’s Business Use

A corporation letting property in Hong Kong is regarded as carrying on business in Hong Kong and should be subject to profits tax in respect of its property income. However, if the income from property chargeable to Property Tax is included in the taxpayer’s profits for Profits Tax purposes, or if the property owned by the taxpayer is occupied by him/her for producing chargeable profits, the amount of Property Tax paid will be set off against the amount of Profits Tax payable. Any excess Property Tax paid will be refunded. As an alternative, corporations carrying on a trade, profession or business in Hong Kong, on application made in writing to the Commissioner, may be exempt from paying Property Tax which would otherwise be set off against their Profits Tax.