Hong Kong and Singapore should be compared against your operations, organisation and annual budget. A simple “0% versus 17%” comparison misses important conditions.
Key points in 2026
| Point | Hong Kong | Singapore |
|---|---|---|
| Resident director | A director does not have to live locally. | At least one director must satisfy local residency requirements. |
| Secretary | A local company secretary is required. | A secretary must be appointed within six months. |
| Headline corporate rate | 16.5%, with two tiers for eligible corporations. | 17%, before applicable exemptions and rebates. |
Foreign income requires a closer look
Hong Kong’s source-of-profits analysis is central. The FSIE regime can also apply to specified foreign income received by an entity in a multinational group. [5] [6]
Singapore tax-resident companies may qualify for exemptions on specified foreign dividends, branch profits and service income received in Singapore, subject to conditions. A headline tax rate is not an effective-tax calculation. [7]
Compare a full year of costs
Request equivalent quotes covering incorporation, address, secretary, any resident director, accounting, applicable audit and filings. Luminos annual support at USD 990 covers the services listed on our site, rather than every possible company expense.
How to choose
Map your customers, suppliers, team and actual operations. Then assess account eligibility, obligations where the business is carried on and the annual compliance budget. Neither place of incorporation guarantees worldwide tax exemption, account approval or immigration permission.
Luminos supports Hong Kong formation projects. Explain your business before committing to a structure.
Official sources
- Companies Registry — Incorporation
- ACRA — Directors and key officers
- IRD — Profits Tax
- IRAS — Corporate income tax rates and reliefs
- IRD — Territorial source principle
- IRD — Foreign-sourced income exemption
- IRAS — Companies receiving foreign income
General guidance checked on this date. Tax treatment depends on the facts and jurisdictions involved.