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Business Registration Fees 2026/27 Forecast
Are you planning to start a business in Hong Kong, or already running one? If so, you’ll need to register your business or renew your business registration certificate with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).
Current Situation (2025/26)
For the 2025/26 financial year, companies are required to pay the full business registration fee of HK$2,150. The earlier subsidy under the Revenue Order 2022, which reduced the fee by HK$2,000, has expired. Businesses no longer enjoy the HK$150 discounted rate and must pay the standard fee.
The government explains that the full fee is necessary to cover the operation costs of providing registration services.
Why Subsidies Come and Go
The Hong Kong government occasionally offers subsidies on business registration fees. These subsidies are not permanent, they are usually introduced when the government wants to:
- Support SMEs during economic downturns or global uncertainty.
- Encourage entrepreneurship and ease the burden for new startups.
- Stimulate growth in specific industries or during recovery phases.
At other times, when the economy is stable or the government needs to recover administrative costs, subsidies are withdrawn, and the full fee applies.
Forecast for 2026/27
Looking ahead, we anticipate that the government may reintroduce a subsidy in 2026/27 to support businesses, especially given the current push to strengthen Hong Kong’s role as a global startup hub. However, this is not guaranteed, the IRD adjusts fees based on fiscal policy and broader economic conditions.
For now, we recommend businesses continue with 1-year certificates rather than locking into a 3-year certificate. This way, you remain flexible and can take advantage of any discounts or subsidies that may be offered in the coming year.
Business Registration Fee Timeline (2019 – 2027)
Here’s how the Hong Kong business registration fee has shifted over the years, showing when subsidies were applied and when full fees were charged:
| Year / Period | Fee (HK$) | Notes |
| 2019/20 | 2,250 (full) | No subsidy. Businesses paid the full fee. |
| 2020/21 | 250 (after subsidy) | Government introduced subsidies to support SMEs during global uncertainty. |
| 2021/22 | 250 (after subsidy) | Subsidy continued to encourage entrepreneurship and ease burdens. |
| 2022/23 | 150 (after subsidy) | Revenue Order 2022 reduced fees further. |
| 2023/24 | 2,150 (full) | Subsidy expired. Return to standard fee. |
| 2024/25 | 2,150 (full) | Full fee continued. |
| 2025/26 | 2,150 (full) | Current year – no subsidy. |
| 2026/27 (forecast) | Likely reduced (subsidy expected) | Anticipated government support to strengthen HK’s startup ecosystem. |
Incorporation & Renewal Services
If you choose to incorporate a company in Hong Kong with Get Started HK, we will arrange the Business Registration Certificate (BR) for you, and it is included in our incorporation package. The BR certificate will clearly list your company name, validity period, and registered address.
If you need renewal services and are based overseas, feel free to reach out to us. We can handle the process on your behalf, ensuring compliance and peace of mind without you needing to be physically present in Hong Kong.
Key Takeaway
- 2025/26: Full fee of HK$2,150 applies.
- 2026/27: A subsidy is likely, but we will continue to monitor government announcements closely.
- Best practice: Opt for a 1-year certificate to stay flexible and benefit from potential discounts.
- With Get Started HK: Incorporation packages include BR arrangements, and overseas clients can rely on us for renewals.
Join the Get Started HK community, where 46,000+ entrepreneurs connect, share experiences, and grow together. Read our 1,000+ Google reviews and 100+ real video testimonials to see why founders trust us.Contact us at info@getstarted.hk or visit the IRD website for the latest updates.
