Still get confused about what withholding tax is in Hong Kong, who are required to pay this, and how to reduce this type of tax? Keep reading this article and then find out the answer.
What is Hong Kong withholding tax?
Withholding tax applies to Hong Kong non-residents for any services that have been provided and carried out in Hong Kong.
In other words, Hong Kong withholding tax is the portion of the payments withheld from the fees paid to a non-resident. Hong Kong’s Inland Revenue Department is the one to receive that amount.
Hong Kong does not impose withholding tax on dividends and interest. Only certain types of payments are levied on this type of tax.
Who needs to pay withholding tax in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong follows the territorial system of taxation. Accordingly, taxes in Hong Kong are levied based on the profits derived from trade, a profession, or a business in the country.
Non-residents, regardless of an entity or an individual, if earning income from any services or work conducted from a Hong Kong source will be subject to withholding tax in Hong Kong.
An individual or company is determined to be non-resident if:
- That individual is a foreigner who has resided or worked in Hong Kong for no more than 180 days in a tax year
- That company is centrally managed or controlled from outside the territory of Hong Kong.
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Which types of payments are subject to withholding tax in Hong Kong?
Not all payments to non-resident companies shall be subject to withholding tax in Hong Kong. Typically, Hong Kong imposes no tax on dividends and interest. Typical payments that would go with Hong Kong withholding tax include:
Royalty payments
Royalty payments are paid for the right to use the intellectual property of non-residents inside and outside of Hong Kong. Withholding taxes on royal payments can vary according to whether the non-resident is related to a Hong Kong entity or not.
Examples of royalties or license fees are as the followings:
- Payments for the exhibition or use in Hong Kong of cinematography or television film or tape, any sound recording, or any advertising material connected with such film, tape, or recording
- Fees for the use/ usage right in Hong Kong, of any patent, design, trademark, copyright material, layout-design (topography) of an integrated circuit, performer’s right, plant variety right, secret process or formula, or other property or right of a similar nature
- Payments for imparting knowledge directly, or indirectly connected with the use in Hong Kong of any such patent, design, and above-mentioned categories
Entertainer or sportsman payments
Non-resident entertainers or sportsmen who get income from their performance in Hong Kong are subject to withholding tax in the country as well.
The IRO defined “entertainer or sportsman” as a person (other than a corporation) who gives performances whether alone or with other persons in his character as an entertainer or sportsman in any kind of entertainment or sport.
Note
Forms of said performances can be:
- Performing activity (recorded or live)
- Performing activity that can be observed or heard by the public whether for making income or not
Examples of entertainer or sportsman payments, which will then be the target of Hong Kong withholding tax:
- Payments for any appearance of the entertainers or sportsmen by way of or in connection with the promotion of any commercial occasion or event
- Payments for any participation by the entertainers or sportsmen in or for sound recording, films, videos, radio, television, or other similar transmissions (whether live or recorded)
What are the rates for Hong Kong withholding taxpayers?
Note that withholding tax can be different, depending on the type of payment made to non-residents and where that payment comes from.
The below table helps you clarify the WHT rates on each type of payment:
| Types of payment | Withholding Tax Rates |
|---|---|
| Royalties derived from a Hong Kong “associate” | 15% (for non-resident individuals) 8.25% – 16.5% (for non-resident corporations) |
| Royalties NOT derived from a Hong Kong “associate” | 4.5% (for non-resident individuals) 2.475% – 4.95% (for non-resident corporations) |
| Payments for which the performance is obtained directly with the entertainer/ sportsman | 10% |
| Payments for which the performance is obtained through a non-resident individual or partnership | 10% |
| Payments for which the performance is obtained through a non-resident corporate agent or corporation | 11% |
* Under the Inland Revenue Ordinance (amended in 2004) of Hong Kong, “associates” of a Hong Kong entity refers to the following entities:
If the Hong Kong entity is “a natural person”
- A person’s relative
- A person’s partner and any relative of that partner
- A partnership in which a person is a partner
- A corporation controlled by the person, a partner, or a partnership in which the person is a partner
- Any director or principal officer of any such corporation listed above
If the Hong Kong entity is “a corporation”
- A corporate company
- A corporation over which the Hong Kong entity has control
- A corporation that has control over the Hong Kong entity
- A corporation under the same control as the Hong Kong entity
- A person who controls a corporate company and any partner of that person, and where either that person is a natural person, any relative of that person
- A director or principal officer of that company or the corporate company of that company; and any relative of any such director or officer
- Any partner of the company and, where a such partner is a natural person, any relative of such partner
If the Hong Kong entity is “a partnership”
- Any partner of the partnership, and where such a partner is a partnership, any relative of that partner
- A corporation controlled by the partnership or by any partner thereof or, where such a partner is a natural person, any relative of such partner
- A corporation of which any partner is a director or principal officer
- Any director or principal officer of a corporation
Regarding WHT for entertainers or sportspersons, WHT payment depends on whom the non-resident entertainers or sportsmen made their agreement directly with (individuals or through a corporate agent or a corporation).
How to reduce Hong Kong withholding tax
Have you heard of Hong Kong’s Double Taxation Agreements?
Those can help you avoid the double taxation of income, as well as adjust the tax rights between Hong Kong and other jurisdictions.
Hong Kong has concluded over 40 Comprehensive DTAs (Double Tax Agreements). Under such agreements, residents of participating countries can enjoy tax relief and reduction for tax liability levied on the same type of income.
So, depending on a case-by-case basis, you can have a chance to enjoy a foreign tax deduction on specified interest and gains. This might happen if you provide sufficient proof that such tax has been paid elsewhere in a place outside HK with which Hong Kong has made DTA.
Conclusion
- Withheld tax amount applies to 2 types of payment: royalties/ license fees, and payments paid to entertainers/ sportsmen.
- Taxpayers can make use of comprehensive DTAs that Hong Kong has signed with many other countries to reduce Hong Kong WHT.
We hope this article gives you a better understanding of Hong Kong’s withholding tax.
Feel free to leave a message in the pop-up chat, or send us your detailed inquiries via service@bbcincorp.com if you’d like to discuss more with our friendly consultants about your Hong Kong business.
