Business owners in Hong Kong are usually required to submit a designated address before their business can be incorporated. This address is popularly known as a registered business address.
There are several reasons why a person may wish to change their registered business address and overseeing the process of a change of business address Hong Kong falls under the duties of the company secretary.
However, it’s interesting to note that most people don’t find this process easy. If you’re interested in finding out crucial information about the change of business address Hong Kong, you’re at the right place
This piece is a detailed guide that’s designed to teach you everything you need to know about this process.
Change of Business Address Hong Kong: What is a Registered Address?
Before diving deeper into the process of undergoing a change of business address Hong Kong, let’s start by looking at the meaning of a registered address. This address represents the location that you’ve set to receive official correspondence from government authorities.
There are also scenarios where the Hong Kong SAR government may wish to carry out inspection on this address.
When picking a registered address, it’s important that this location must be a commercial. Also, you’re not allowed to use a P.O Box. Residential addresses are only approved under strict conditions. All businesses are required to submit this address to get incorporated.
Change of Business Address Hong Kong: Registered Office Address VS. Business Address
You may wonder if there’s a difference between a registered office address and a business office address. Well, there is.
A business office address is where you organize your daily business operations, and it doesn’t have to be the same place as where you receive official correspondence. You can register a commercial building, such as a warehouse, as your business office address.
The process for applying for a business office address is completely different from that of a registered office address. Application for a business address in Hong Kong starts after you’ve been incorporated.
You would need to request a business registration certificate from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD). This certificate will be displayed at any location you choose to run your business activities.
When applying for a registered address, you’ll deal with Companies Registry. But the Inland Revenue Department is responsible for handling business addresses. If you create new branches for your business, you’ll need to display a branch registration certificate at all of them.
Change of Business Address Hong Kong: How To Change A Registered Address?
Now, let’s look at how to undergo the process of a change of business address Hong Kong. The process is fairly straightforward.
To change your registered business address, your company’s board will have to reach a resolution for this purpose. After this, your company will have to request for a change at the Companies Registry.
You can do this through a one-stop registration service at e-Registry. The Companies Registry will go ahead to notify the Business Registration Office to issue a Business Registration Office for your company. After you’ve succeeded in business address, you’ll need to do the following:
- Notify partners, clients and associates
- Notify your bank and insurance insurer
- Notify government authorities, suppliers and service providers.
- Update the new address on the company’s correspondence and official website
- Update address on company stationery (such as Business cards, envelopes, letterheads
If you wish to change the details of your registered address (such as a change in business address Hong Kong, name, or nature of the business), you’ll need to contact the Business Registration Office. They will help you with an updated business registration certificate.
Change of Business Address Hong Kong: What Documents Do You Need To Submit?
To undergo a change of business address Hong Kong, you’ll need to submit some crucial documents to the Companies Registry. You may either choose to submit a digital copy form or you submit a hard copy with inked signatures to the Companies Registry.
There are a few documents that you’ll need to submit alongside the form. They include:
- The name of your company
- The company’s number
- The registered address and date for the change
- Presenter’s reference
Change of Business Address Hong Kong: When Should You Notify The Authorities ?
You’ll be required to notify the Hong Kong Companies Registry when you undergo a change of business address Hong Kong within 15 days after it becomes approved. It’s a serious offense if you fail to report the change of address, and you’ll be penalized for such actions.
According to Section 658 (5) of the Companies Ordinances (Cap. 622), if a company and every official or person responsible fail to report an offense, it’s to be treated as an offense. Any company guilty of this offense will be hit with a level 5 fine.
This means that a court can charge you up to HK$50,000, along with an additional $1,000 for each day the offense continues.
So, why’s it essential that you notify the government of a change in business address? The Hong Kong SAR government uses the Inland Revenue Department and Statistics Department to send official correspondence to all businesses annually.
It’s essential that you can receive this correspondence to ensure that your business complies with government standards. As a result, your business has to maintain the right document with the government.
Change of Business Address Hong Kong: How Can We Help?
No doubt, the process of change of business address Hong Kong is fairly lengthy and requires lots of attention to detail.
As a result, numerous businesses struggle with it. Do you intend to change your business address but have plenty of activities to handle at once? You can hire us to ease your burden.
At SJH Global, we have professional company secretarial services that will help you complete your change of business address with ease. We are a leading business consultancy firm with numerous years of experience. You can trust us to handle the entire process quickly and smoothly.
Change of Business Address Hong Kong - Frequently Asked Questions
You must notify the Business Registration Office of the change of business address Hong Kong within one month of approval or a completed IRC3111A form.
You can undergo the process of a change of business address Hong Kong through any of these ways:
- Filing an IR1429 form
- Writing a letter to the IRD
- Completing the tax return – individuals
- Notifying GovHK
- Through eTax platform
Any company that’s found guilty of not informing the government of a change of business address Hong Kong will be hit with a level 5 fine. They’ll be charged HK$50,000.
