Important Update | Hong Kong Limited Company Profits Tax Return for the Year of Assessment 2025/26

Hong Kong Limited Company 

Profits Tax Return for the Year of Assessment 2025/26

Important Dates｜Extension Strategies｜New Items 

Key Points at a Glance

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) will soon issue the Profits Tax Return for the year of assessment 2025/26. Whether you are a company director, finance manager, or tax representative, it is essential to stay updated on the latest filing requirements, arrangements and key deadlines to ensure timely and accurate submission of your tax return, thereby avoiding potential late payment penalties and compliance risks.

To help you stay informed about the latest information and arrangements, we have summarized the key points below, including:

Issuance date of the tax return, 

Original filing deadline, 

Extension arrangements and important notes to bear in mind

According to the IRD’s arrangements, the Profits Tax Returns for the year of assessment 2025/26 will be issued in bulk and gradually on the following dates:

• From 1 April 2026 onwards: 

  Issuance to companies with "Active" Files.

• From 2 April 2026 onwards: 

  Issuance to companies with "Inactive" Files due for Review.

The IRD prescribes different filing deadlines depending on the accounting date of the company.

📌 Companies without a tax representative:

Must file within 1 month from the date of issue of the Profits Tax Return.

📌 Companies with a tax representative (eligible for extension):

When applying for block extension, tax representatives must observe the following key new requirements:

• A Tax Representative Portal (TRP) Business Account must be created before submission.

• All block extension applications must be lodged electronically via TRP.

  
  

Therefore, the entire extension process will be fully electronic, and tax representatives should prepare in advance. As the company needs to apply for the extension, please communicate and coordinate with the tax representative as soon as possible.

If a company has assessable profits for the relevant year of assessment, it must proactively notify the IRD in writing within four months after the end of the basis period for the year of assessment concerned.

This applies to:

• Companies previously informed by IRD that Profits Tax Returns would not be issued

• Newly incorporated companies

• Any basis period in which assessable profits arise

  
  

Companies that fail to notify or file on time may trigger penalty actions by the IRD.

If a company fails to file the return by the prescribed deadline or the extended due date, the IRD may:

• Issue an estimated assessment, and/or

• Institute penalty proceedings under section 80 or 82A of the Inland Revenue Ordinance.

  
  

To avoid unnecessary risks, the company is strongly advised to plan ahead and make early arrangements to ensure the timely completion of the relevant filings.

1. Specified Person (Part 4AA Entity) Declaration

Company must declare whether they fall under Section 51AAB and Schedule 65 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Currently Part 4AA Entity (e.g.: multinational enterprise groups with annual consolidated

revenue of EUR 750 million or above). Such companies are mandated

to e-file their Profits Tax Returns in the form of an electronic record. It can only be submitted in paper form if it complies with the specified circumstances under section 51AAC(3).

2. Unilateral Tax Credit – Foreign Tax Paid

Company must state the amount of foreign tax paid claimed as unilateral tax credit. If not applicable, enter “0”.

When preparing the company's profits tax return, supplementary forms, and related supporting documents, extra caution should be exercised to ensure all information is complete and accurate, avoiding further inquiries or examination by the IRD. Please pay special attention to the following items:

(a) the Assessable Profits or Adjusted Loss stated on the return must match that shown in the tax computation and should represent the amount applicable to the current basis period only (any losses brought forward should not be taken into account);

(b) all amounts must be expressed in HK dollars; 
(c) the latest version of 6-digit industry code must be stated;

(d) any amount of offshore profits, profits from sale of landed properties in Hong Kong and profits from sale of other capital assets that

are excluded from the Assessable Profits or Adjusted Loss must be reported;
(e) Where applicable, all supporting documents must be submitted together with the profits tax return.

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