Offshore Company Formation in Gibraltar
Hong Kong has evolved into one of the important business centers in the region. Located on the South East Coast of China it became part of China on 1 July, 1997. It is a Special Administration Region (SAR) within the People's Republic of China with its own legislature and courts. Despite the presence of business centers such as Shanghai, Hong Kong continues to gain hong kong company formation popularity as an offshore jurisdiction and commercial hub because of the economic and political stability and simple and straightforward tax regime and legislative system.Some of the key benefits of Hong Kong as an offshore jurisdiction include:Favorable Tax regime: Hong Kong follows a territorial policy of taxation, the companies are taxed only on the income that is derived from Hong Kong and profits earned beyond the shores of Hong Kong are exempted from tax. Moreover there is no VAT, or capital gains tax or tax on dividends this makes it a highly desirable jurisdiction. Thus, a Hong Kong offshore company that generates income from abroad practically pays Zero tax. Overseas profits are exempt from taxation in Hong Kong even if it is brought back to the jurisdiction.Even for revenue generated from Hong Kong the tax applicable on taxable profit is just 16.5%, one of the lowest in the region. After deductions and exemption the effective tax rate will be much lower than the headline tax rate.Positive Image: Hong Kong Companies are not perceived as offshore tax haven as Hong Kong is not regarded as a tax shelter. In an article published in May 2009, the Director of the OECD's Centre for Tax Policy and Administration commended Hong Kong's efforts to comply with the international standards on tax transparency and exchange of information while pointing out that Hong Kong is not a tax haven according to the OECD criteria. Subsequently, in its September 2009 report, the OECD vindicated again that Hong Kong is not a tax haven and recognised Hong Kong's commitments to the OECD standards. Therefore a Hong Kong Offshore company commands a respectable image and does not raise suspicions.
Strategic Location: Hong Kong is considered as the gateway to China, the world's biggest market and facilitates easy access to mainland China and all the key markets of Asia, most of the Asian cities are within four hours flying radius.Free economy: Hong Kong is regarded as the world's most free economy with the lack of restrictions and government interventions in trade. The economic policy allows free inflow and outflow of capital and there is no exchange control. The jurisdiction allows 100% foreign ownership of companies. It has been ranked as the freest in the world by the Index of Economic Freedom for 15 consecutive years.Political Stability: Hong Kong a former British Dependent Territory became a Special Administrative Region of People's Republic of China in July 1997. Since then Hong Kong has retained its autonomous status and under the "one country two systems" concept, the Chinese government does not interfere with the governance of Hong Kong which has flourished by leaps and bounds with a significant share of world's largest banks, corporations and high net worth individuals. World Investment Report 2009 released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)reaffirmed Hong Kong as one of the world's and Asia's most attractive destinations for FDI.