Do I need audited financial statements to file a Hong Kong profits tax return?
The IRD wants the auditor's report where Hong Kong or foreign law requires one or one has been prepared. Most Hong Kong companies must be audited under company law, so in practice most returns include one. A company that is validly dormant under the Companies Ordinance may file without audited statements.
The profits tax return asks for the financial statements and, where applicable, the auditor's report. The IRD's circular says to include it where required by Hong Kong or foreign law, or if one has otherwise been prepared.
- Most companies: the Companies Ordinance requires an annual audit, so you file audited statements with the return.
- Sole proprietors and partnerships: there is no statutory audit requirement as such, but you still submit accounts and a tax computation if you have gross income.
- Dormant companies: if a private company has delivered a special resolution to the Registrar that it is dormant (section 5 of the Companies Ordinance), it is exempt from audited financial statements under section 447, and the IRD says it will accept returns without them.
An audit and a tax computation are different things. A tax computation adjusts accounting profit to taxable profit; it is not a substitute for statutory audit work, and a tax filing does not satisfy audit duties.
For how audits work in Hong Kong, see the audit section of this knowledge base. This answer is a pointer only.
Legal basis
- Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112), s.51(1)
- Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), ss.5, 447
Sources
Applies to YA 2025/26 · 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
- When will a new Hong Kong company receive its first profits tax return?The IRD generally issues the first Profits Tax Return about 18 months after the date of incorporation. A first-time recipient has 3 months from issue to file. If you are chargeable to tax and receive nothing, you must notify the IRD in writing within 4 months after the end of the basis period.
- What is the filing deadline for the Hong Kong profits tax return?The due date is printed on page 1 of the return, normally one month from issue. First-time recipients get 3 months, and e-filers under the e-notice get 2 months. Represented taxpayers usually get later dates under the Block Extension Scheme, depending on the accounting year-end.
- How does the Block Extension Scheme work for profits tax returns (N, D and M codes)?With a tax representative, the due date depends on your accounting year-end code. For 2025/26: N code no extension; D code (December) 31 August 2026 on paper, 2 October 2026 if e-filed; M code (1 January to 31 March) 30 November 2026 on paper, 30 December 2026 if e-filed. The D and M dates were later extended from 17 August and 16 November.
- Can I e-file my Hong Kong profits tax return, and is it compulsory?E-filing is optional for most businesses and compulsory only for large multinational group members (Part 4AA entities) from year of assessment 2025/26. Voluntary e-filers can get a further one-month extension. Supporting documents are submitted in iXBRL format when filing electronically.
- What documents must I submit with my Hong Kong profits tax return?A company or partnership with gross income must send its financial statements and a tax computation with the return. The IRD lists a certified balance sheet, the profit and loss account, the auditor's report where one is required or has been prepared, and a tax computation with supporting schedules.