Marriotts Legal Services Ltd is a one-stop-shop offering corporate services and assistance to clients wishing to set up companies in Hong Kong and thevP.R.C.:

Exploring global business opportunities with a focus on assisting clients in setting up companies in Hong Kong and P.R.C. taking into account of the specific business nature in contemplation. Having global connections with potential clients and investors in the Asia
Pacific Region, many parts of Europe and the United States and lining them up in business projects which clients are interested in.

  • Providing ancillary corporate services for clients such as: strategy planning and consulting
  • market research and analysis
  • drafting business proposals
  • setting up companies in Hong Kong
  • setting up representative offices, joint venture companies or wholly foreign-owned enterprises in the P.R.C.
  • providing company secretarial assistance to companies incorporated in Hong Kong and outsourcing services for clients
  • drafting various types of commercial agreements for clients
  • translation services
  • design and prepare marketing literature and website
  • any other corporate services upon clients’ requests

Services

Company Secretarial Services

Drafting and amending Memorandum and Articles of Association We offer reviewing and drafting amendment to the company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, which in many case are required if company is restructuring, issuing new shares or reorganizing its shareholders structure. We can attend and prepare minutes for company’s meeting We can arrange our staff to attend company’s annual, general or extra-ordinary shareholders and directors meeting and subsequently preparing minutes for the same.
 

Preparing annual return

The Hong Kong Company Ordinance requires all limited companies to file its annual return within 42 days after the anniversary date of incorporation. We can preparing such return for companies on an annual basis. Altering and filing changes of directors and shareholders
 

Changes of directors:

We can assist in the preparation and amendment of changes made to the directors of a company include updating the register of directors and filing such changes with the Company Registry.
 

Changes of shareholders:

We can assist in the increase or decrease of share capital and allotment and transfer of shares, including completing the necessary documentation and filing the same with the Company Registry.
 

Organize name changes

Upon completing a name search for the availability of the proposed new name
of client, we shall prepare all documentation required to complete the name
changes and file the same to the Company Registry.
 

Assist in opening bank account:

Banking industry in Hong Kong is flourishing and hundreds of major banks around the globe have branches or representative offices here. We can assist client to open bank account either in Hong Kong by introducing client to major bankers and preparation of other necessary documents required.
 

Offer deregistration and winding-up services:

We provide consultation and provision of deregistration and voluntary
winding-up of a Hong Kong limited company.
 

Deregistration:

A private company can apply to the Company Registrar for deregistration under the Company Ordinance if:
  • Unanimous approval is obtained from shareholders,
  • The company has either never commenced business or has ceased operation for more than 3 months, and
  • No outstanding liability is owed by the company.
Deregistration is a simple method of terminating a limited company. However, within 20 years after the deregistration, any person can make an application to the court to have the company resituated. If a company is resituated, it would be restored to a position as if the company has never been deregistered.
 

Voluntary Liquidation:

A limited company can also be wound up voluntary by its members or creditors.
  • Member’s voluntary winding-up: if the directors of a company are in the opinion that the company will be able to pay its debts fully within amaximum of 12 months and they have made a full enquiry into theaffairs of the company, then can then together issue a certificate ofsolvency. Afterwards they can resolve the company to wind up voluntarily.
  • Creditors voluntary winding-up: If the company has resolved to wind up voluntarily but unable to satisfy a member’s voluntary winding up, a creditor’s voluntary winding-up shall be commenced instead.

Background Information


Location

Hong Kong’s location is one of its many advantages.
Situated at the south-eastern tip of China, the city is ideally positioned at the heart of East  Asia. Local companies have established extensive networks of contacts throughout the region and beyond. The city is also the ideal place for international enterprises to set up regional headquarters to manage businesses in China. Hong Kong’s position also means that it is daytime here when it is nightime in North America and early in the morning in Europe. This means that companies with offices in both places can actually work twenty-four hours on certain types of projects. This can bring important benefits for companies in information technology and financial services.

International Corporate Base

In 2002, there were 948 regional headquarters of overseas companies in Hong Kong. The United States had the largest number of regional headquarters in Hong Kong (233), followed by Japan (159) and China (96). In addition, there were 2,171 regional offices set up by overseas companies in Hong Kong.

Small Government

Hong Kong has a small and efficient government. Corporate and personal taxes are quite low, and simple to calculate. The Hong Kong government is well known for its efficiency, transparency and fairness. The government is ready to lend a helping hand to business people and companies, but rarely interferes in the marketplace. For the ninth consecutive year, Hong Kong has been rated by the Heritage Foundation of the US as the world’s freest economy.

Relations with China


The signing of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) is the first free-trade agreement for both the Mainland and Hong Kong. The agreement not only further facilitates economic links between the two sides, it creates tremendous potential for Hong Kong to become centre for higher value added services, making the city the perfect gateway for multinational companies to enter the huge Mainland market of 1.2 billion people.

Taxes in Hong Kong


Hong Kong maintains a low, simple and predictable tax regime. Profits Tax is levied on individuals, corporations, bodies of persons and partnerships, in respect of assessable profits arising in or derived from Hong Kong. Hong Kong adopts a territorial source principle. Only income which has a source in Hong Kong is taxable in Hong Kong. Salaries Tax is charged on all income arising in or derived form Hong Kong from any office, employment or pension. Property owners who receive rental income are chargeable to Property Tax. There is no tax in Hong Kong on capital gains, dividends or interest.

Profits Tax Reductions


In general, all business expenses incurred in the production of assessable profits are fully deductible. Generous allowances or deductions are given to investment in plant and machinery, buildings and structures, and capital expenditure on research and development, refurbishment and etc.

Hong Kong’s tax system is simple and predictable

  • Corporate profits tax rate is 17.5%
  • Personal tax is also among the lowest in the world at about 16%.
  • Only income and profits derived directly from Hong Kong are subject to tax.
  • There is no tax on capital gains, dividends or interest.
  • Generous capital allowance and depreciation regulations.
  • Hong Kong has no sales tax or Value Added Tax.
  • Tax relief is granted to those taxes paid in a country which has signed double tax agreements with Hong Kong.

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