How long must a Hong Kong company keep its accounting records?
Seven years. Under section 377 of the Companies Ordinance, a company must keep its accounting records for 7 years after the end of the financial year to which the last entry relates. The Inland Revenue Department separately requires business records to be kept at least 7 years after the transactions they relate to.
Company law (s.377). The company must preserve its accounting records for 7 years after the end of the financial year to which the last entry in them relates. Directors who fail to take all reasonable steps to comply face a fine of HK$300,000, and a fine plus up to 12 months' imprisonment if the failure is wilful. It is a defence to show that you reasonably believed a competent and reliable person was responsible and able to do the job.
Tax law (s.51C). The IRD says business records must be kept for at least 7 years after the completion of the transactions to which they relate.
The two clocks start at different points, so the safe approach is to keep each record until the later of the two dates has passed. A simple rule many businesses adopt is: keep everything for seven full years after the end of the financial year in which the document was used.
Records for assets or contracts that still run (for example a lease or a loan) are worth keeping beyond seven years, because you may still need them to prove your position.
Legal basis
- Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), s.377
- Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112), s.51C
Sources
Applies to 2026 · Last reviewed 29 October 2026
General information for business owners, not legal, tax or professional advice. Rules change, so check the sources or ask a licensed professional before you act.
Related questions
- Is a Hong Kong company legally required to keep accounting records?Yes. Section 373 of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) requires every company to keep accounting records that explain its transactions and show its financial position and performance at any time. Directors who fail to take all reasonable steps risk a fine of HK$300,000, and up to 12 months' jail if the failure is wilful.
- What does section 51C of the Inland Revenue Ordinance require from my business?Anyone carrying on a trade, profession or business in Hong Kong must keep enough records, in English or Chinese, to work out assessable profits, and keep them for at least 7 years. Failing to do so without reasonable excuse can lead to a fine of up to HK$100,000.
- Which documents should a Hong Kong business keep for its books?Keep every document that supports an entry in your books: sales and purchase invoices, receipts, bank statements, contracts, payroll and MPF records, asset purchase papers, loan agreements, and stocktake sheets. The test is whether someone else could trace any figure back to its source.
- Can a Hong Kong company keep its accounting records digitally or scan paper originals?Yes. The Companies Ordinance allows records in hard copy or electronic form, provided they stay available for reference and can be reproduced on paper. The IRD also accepts electronic books and scanned source documents if integrity, legibility and origin details are preserved, and no prior approval is needed.
- What is a financial year end (accounting reference date) for a Hong Kong company?The accounting reference date is the date on which a company's financial year ends each year. Under the Companies Ordinance each accounting period normally runs 12 months from the end of the previous one, and the financial statements are prepared up to that date.