Hong Kong Family Office
Set up and run your single
family office in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of the world's leading jurisdictions for family offices.
We handle the structure, compliance, accounting, and governance, so you can focus on what matters.
SFO
Single family office specialists
0%
Capital gains tax in HK
30+
Years of experience
Why Hong Kong
The premier jurisdiction for single family offices
Hong Kong has actively positioned itself as a leading global hub for family offices,
with a favourable tax regime, a robust legal framework, and direct access to Asia's investment markets.
Why families choose Hong Kong
Hong Kong offers a unique combination that few jurisdictions can match: no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax, no VAT, and a low profits tax rate, all within a common law framework with strong asset protection and an independent judiciary. For families with international assets and investment activities, it provides both the structure and the credibility needed to manage wealth across generations.
Key tax advantages
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No capital gains tax
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No inheritance or estate tax
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No VAT or GST
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No withholding tax on dividends
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Low profits tax rate (8.25% / 16.5%)
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Territorial tax system - offshore income may be exempt
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Extensive double tax agreement network
What we do
Our family office services
We provide end-to-end support for single family offices in Hong Kong,
from initial structure and setup through to ongoing compliance and reporting.
Company setup & structure
We establish the right legal structure for your family office in Hong Kong, incorporating the entity, appointing directors, and ensuring everything is correctly registered from the outset.
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Company incorporation
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Registered address
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Company secretary appointment
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Structure advice for SFO eligibility
Accounting & financial reporting
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We manage all accounting and financial reporting for the family office entity, giving the family a clear, accurate view of assets, income, and performance at all times.
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Cloud-based bookkeeping on Xero
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Monthly financial statements
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Consolidated reporting
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Year-end audit preparation
Compliance & governance
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We ensure your family office meets all ongoing statutory obligations in Hong Kong, annual returns, audit, tax filings, and governance records maintained to the highest standard.
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Annual return filing
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Statutory audit
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Profits tax return
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Board minutes & governance records
Tax advisory
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We advise on the tax position of the family office, including profits tax, offshore exemption claims, and cross-border considerations for families with assets in multiple jurisdictions.
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Profits tax filing & planning
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Offshore tax exemption assessment
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Cross-border tax considerations
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DTA advice
Staffing and Payroll
If your family office employs staff in Hong Kong, we handle all employment administration, payroll, MPF, employment contracts, and visa applications where needed.
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Payroll management
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MPF enrolment & contributions
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Employment contracts
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Visa & work permit applications
Ongoing company secretarial
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We act as company secretary for your family office, maintaining statutory registers, filing annual returns, and ensuring all governance obligations are met throughout the year.
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Statutory registers maintenance
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Annual return preparation & filing
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Director & shareholder changes
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Resolutions & minutes
The Hong Kong Advantage
Why the SFO regime matters
In 2023, Hong Kong introduced a dedicated tax concession regime
for single family offices, making it one of the most competitive SFO jurisdictions in the world.
0%
Tax on qualifying investment income
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Under the SFO tax concession, qualifying investment income and gains managed by the family office can be exempt from profits tax.
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2023
Dedicated SFO regime introduced
Hong Kong's Family Office Ordinance formalised the SFO framework, providing clarity and certainty for families establishing here.​
Asia​​
Gateway to Asian markets
Hong Kong provides direct access to mainland China and Asia-Pacific investment opportunities, unmatched by any other financial centre.
Common Law
Strong legal framework
An independent judiciary, English common law, and robust asset protection make Hong Kong a trusted domicile for family wealth.
No CGT
No capital gains tax
Investment gains are not subject to capital gains tax in Hong Kong, a significant advantage for families with active investment portfolios.
Privacy​
Confidential & discreet
Hong Kong's regulatory framework supports the privacy needs of family offices, without the disclosure requirements of some other jurisdictions.
Regulatory context
The Family Office Ordinance 2023
Hong Kong has actively positioned itself as a leading global hub for family offices,
with a favourable tax regime, a robust legal framework, and direct access to Asia's investment markets.
Hong Kong's Family Office Ordinance introduced a formal tax concession for single family offices a significant development that confirmed Hong Kong's commitment to attracting family wealth. To qualify, the family office must meet certain conditions around structure, investment activities, and substance. We advise families on whether they qualify and ensure the ongoing requirements are met.
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Tax concession on qualifying transactions
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Must be a single family entity
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Minimum asset threshold applies
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Qualifying investments defined by ordinance
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Local substance requirements
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Annual compliance obligations
How we work
From initial consultation to ongoing management
Setting up a family office requires careful planning.
We guide you through every stage, and stay with you for the long term.
Confidential advisory call
We discuss your family's situation, objectives, and asset profile and advise on whether Hong Kong is the right domicile and whether the SFO tax concession applies.
Structure & setup
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We incorporate the family office entity, establish the correct governance framework, and ensure all registrations are in place, including company secretary and registered address.
Accounting & reporting setup
We configure your Xero accounting, establish reporting templates, and put in place the financial reporting structure the family needs.
Ongoing compliance & management
We manage all annual compliance, audit, tax filings, annual returns, payroll, and provide regular financial reporting to the family. One team, fully accountable.
Frequently asked
What is a single family office?
A single family office (SFO) is a private entity established to manage the wealth, investments, and financial affairs of one family. Unlike a multi-family office, which serves multiple families, an SFO is dedicated entirely to one family, providing full control, privacy, and the ability to tailor the structure to the family's specific needs.
Does my family office need to be based in Hong Kong?
To benefit from Hong Kong's SFO tax concession and legal framework, the family office entity must be incorporated and have substance in Hong Kong. The family themselves do not need to be resident in Hong Kong, many of our clients are based in Europe, the Middle East, or elsewhere and manage their HK family office remotely.
What are the minimum asset requirements?
Under the Family Office Ordinance 2023, the family office must manage assets of at least HK$240 million to qualify for the tax concession. We advise families on whether they meet the threshold and what structure best fits their situation.
Do we need local staff in Hong Kong?
The ordinance requires a degree of local substance, including at least two investment professionals based in Hong Kong. We can advise on how to meet this requirement efficiently, including through our recruitment and employer of record services.
What is the difference between the SFO tax concession and standard HK tax?
Under standard HK tax rules, profits arising in Hong Kong are subject to profits tax at 8.25% (on the first HK$2M) or 16.5%. Under the SFO concession, qualifying investment income and gains managed by the family office are exempt from profits tax entirely, a significant benefit for families with active investment portfolios.
Can Woodburn handle everything, or do we need multiple advisors?
We handle the full scope of corporate and financial administration, company setup, accounting, audit, tax, payroll, and company secretarial. For specialist areas such as investment management, legal structuring, or trust services, we work alongside your existing advisors or can refer you to trusted partners in our network.