Do I have to submit audited accounts with my profits tax return (BIR51)?
Yes, for companies with gross income, IRD's circular says audited financial statements should be submitted with the return, except for dormant companies and certain companies from jurisdictions that do not require audit. The BIR51 asks for a certified copy and the auditor's practising certificate number.
IRD's rule The circular to tax representatives says that for corporations, audited financial statements should be submitted with the returns in all cases with gross income, except:
- Dormant companies under the Companies Ordinance.
- Companies incorporated where the law does not require an audit, if no audit report exists. In that case a tax representative's certificate states that the statements were prepared from records and information given, and not audited.
What the BIR51 notes add
- A certified copy of the audited statements is required. If the copy is abridged, a detailed statement of financial position and profit or loss statement must also be supplied.
- The return asks whether a Hong Kong practice unit audited the accounts and for the practising certificate number of the signing CPA.
- IRD's FAQ says photocopies and unsigned auditor's reports or financial statements are not accepted.
- A listed company can file the group's annual report plus its own profit and loss account.
Hong Kong branches IRD generally accepts unaudited branch accounts with specified information; this is separate from a Hong Kong limited company.
Tax computation How to compute the assessable profit is a profits tax matter and is covered elsewhere.
Check IRD's current-year circular because requirements can be updated.
Legal basis
- Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112), s.51
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
- How long does an audit take in Hong Kong?There is no official duration. A small company with tidy records may take a few weeks from the day the auditor has everything, but late or missing records, stock, groups and queries add time. The legal limits are the filing and tax deadlines, not the audit length.
- What is the profits tax return deadline and how does the block extension scheme work?For 2025/26, represented companies with December year-ends had until 31 August 2026 (2 October if e-filed), and January to March year-ends until 30 November 2026 (30 December if e-filed). April to November year-ends got no block extension. Check IRD for later years.
- What is the deadline for completing audited accounts and sending them to members?For a private company that is not a subsidiary of a public company, the financial statements, directors' report and auditor's report must be laid before members and sent to them within nine months after the year-end. Other companies have six months.
- Does every Hong Kong limited company need an audit?Yes. Every Hong Kong company must have an auditor for each financial year and its financial statements audited, whatever its size or whether it trades. The only company that escapes is a qualifying private company that has validly become dormant under s.5 and s.447 of the Companies Ordinance.
- Do I still need an audit if my company had no revenue or no business activity?Yes, unless the company has formally become dormant. Having no sales does not make a company dormant in law. If it had any expenses, bank charges or other recorded transactions, the audit duty continues for that year.