Private equity tax in Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, private equity funds are typically thought of as passive investment vehicles. Depending on how they are structured, they may be taxed as corporations or limited partnerships. A private equity fund that is structured as a limited partnership only taxes its limited partners on the income that comes from the fund. Limited partners are not taxed on the capital gains they make when they sell their partnership interests. On the other hand, the general partner is in charge of managing the fund and is responsible for paying taxes on its share of the money the fund generates. It is important to keep in mind that private equity funds in Hong Kong must abide by all applicable tax laws and regulations as well as other reporting requirements.

Let us dive into knowing more about private equity fund taxation, private equity tax in Hong Kong, types of private equity funds, private equity fund taxation in Hong Kong and, the Hong Kong tax regime for PE fund

Private equity fund taxation in Hong Kong

Under certain circumstances, such as not having any commercial operations in Hong Kong and only investing in non-Hong Kong companies, private equity funds in Hong Kong are normally excluded from income tax and gains tax. However, Hong Kong’s profits tax might apply to the management and performance fees that fund managers earn. To guarantee compliance with applicable tax rules and regulations, it is advisable to seek professional guidance from a tax specialist.

Private equity funds taxation in Hong Kong are often exempt from paying taxes on their investment gains. Profits from dealing in securities, however, might be taxed. Additionally, if the fund is deemed to have a permanent base in Hong Kong, profits tax may apply to its income derived from Hong Kong. To ascertain the precise tax implications for any private equity fund in Hong Kong, it is advised to obtain professional assistance.

What is a private equity fund?

A private equity fund is a type of investment fund that raises money from institutional and wealthy investors to invest in private companies. Private equity funds are typically managed by professional fund managers who use the capital raised to acquire, manage, and grow portfolio companies, to eventually sell them for a profit. Private equity funds can invest in a wide range of industries and sectors, and they can create value in a variety of ways, including operational improvements, financial restructuring, and strategic acquisitions.

These funds frequently have a high minimum investment requirement and are typically only available to accredited investors, which include high-net-worth individuals, institutional investors, and pension funds. Private equity funds typically have a fixed investment period and a limited lifespan, after which the fund is closed and the remaining capital is returned to investors.

Types of private equity funds

There are several types of private equity (PE) funds, each with its investment strategy and focus. Here are some of the most common types of PE funds:

• Buyout funds – Buyout funds are a type of private equity fund that typically uses debt financing to acquire controlling stakes in mature companies. These businesses are frequently underperforming or undervalued, and the buyout fund seeks to improve their operations and increase their value before selling them for a profit, typically within 3-7 years. Buyout funds generate returns by leveraging their investments as well as the capital appreciation of the portfolio company. They may also generate profits by selling off parts of the company, such as assets or divisions, or by going public through an initial public offering (IPO). The fund’s general partner manages the fund’s investments and typically charges a management fee as well as a percentage of the fund’s profits, known as carried interest.
• Venture capital funds – Venture capital funds are a type of private equity fund that makes investments in early-stage businesses with high growth potential. These firms are typically in the technology or life sciences sectors and may lack a track record or a history of generating revenue. Venture capital funds provide capital to these companies in exchange for a stake in the company, and they frequently take an active role in management, providing guidance and strategic advice to help the company grow. They hope to assist the company in achieving a successful exit, such as an acquisition or IPO, within 3-7 years.
• Real estate funds – Real estate funds are investment funds that invest in real estate assets such as office buildings, apartment complexes, hotels, and shopping malls. A general partner is in charge of acquiring and managing the properties in these funds, while limited partners provide the capital. Investors can benefit from real estate funds in several ways, including diversification, the possibility of capital growth, and the chance to generate consistent income via rental payments. They also provide access to bigger and more complicated real estate deals than the majority of independent investors can.
• Infrastructure funds – Infrastructure funds invest in infrastructure assets like energy infrastructure, communication networks, and transportation systems. These assets often offer important public services and have long life cycles, which appeals to investors looking for consistent cash flows over a protracted time. Assets in different stages of development, such as greenfield projects (new construction) and brownfield projects, may be purchased with infrastructure funds (existing infrastructure in need of renovation or expansion). They may also invest in public-private partnerships, in which a government agency joins forces with a private enterprise to finance and manage an infrastructure project, as well as debt and equity instruments.
• Debts and special situation funds – Private equity funds that invest in distressed or financially problematic enterprises, as well as their debt securities, are known as debt and special situation funds. These funds seek to buy distressed debt or lend to underperforming businesses at a discount, and then engage with the management of the business to turn it around and make a profit.
• Debt and unique circumstances – Based on their investment strategy, funds can be further divided into subcategories. While other funds may concentrate on distressed real estate debt, some funds may invest exclusively in troubled business debt. Some funds may also specialize in acquiring troubled debt from banks and other financial organizations at a discount.
• Funds of funds – Instead of investing directly in specific securities or assets, funds of funds (FOFs) are investment vehicles that pool money from numerous investors and utilize that cash to invest in several other funds. FOFs provide investors with a diversified portfolio that gives them exposure to a variety of asset classes and investing techniques, as well as expert management and risk management services. Contrary to investing directly in individual funds, FOFs may potentially have greater costs and fees.

How does private equity taxation work in Hong Kong?

Private equity funds are typically subject to the same tax regulations as other forms of investment funds because Hong Kong does not have a unique tax regime for this type of fund. Since there is no capital gains tax in Hong Kong, income from the sale of capital assets, including private equity investments, is often exempt from taxation. Private equity funds may, however, be liable to gains tax on any income they get from interest or dividend payments as well as from trading operations like buying and selling assets. In addition, Hong Kong has a tax exemption program for offshore private equity funds, which may be qualified for a tax exemption on profits derived from transactions in Hong Kong if they meet certain requirements, such as not having a permanent establishment in Hong Kong and not engaging in any business activities there other than investing.

Private equity market trends in Hong Kong

Private equity (PE) market trends in Hong Kong have been shaped by several factors in recent years. Here are some of the key trends in the Hong Kong PE market:

• Fundraising – The practice of obtaining money from institutional investors, including pension funds, endowments, and wealthy individuals, to invest in private businesses or assets is known as fundraising in the context of private equity. Private equity firms generally use roadshows and other marketing initiatives to promote their investment prospects to institutional investors in Hong Kong to obtain funds. The private equity market in Hong Kong has seen an increase in fundraising recently. The following are some important causes of this trend: Hong Kong’s role as a gateway to Asia, Increasing investor interest in private equity, the Growing number of private companies, Regulatory environment.
• Investment – In recent years, Hong Kong has seen a rise in private equity investment. Private equity funds intending to make investments in Asia find the city’s strategic location and well-established financial system to be alluring. With a total of $17.2 billion in closed deals in 2021, Hong Kong was the second-largest private equity market in Asia by deal value. Private equity investments in Hong Kong have been particularly common in the technology and healthcare sectors because both are predicted to experience rapid growth in the years to come.
• Transactions – Transactions on the Hong Kong private equity market are the buying and selling of businesses or other assets by private equity funds. Due to the well-established financial infrastructure, good regulatory climate, and accessibility to lucrative investment possibilities in the Asia-Pacific area, private equity transactions have become a significant trend in Hong Kong.
• Private equity deals have grown in Hong Kong over the past few years, especially in the consumer, healthcare, and technology industries. In keeping with the increased interest in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing, private equity firms have also been aggressively investing in opportunities that are sustainable and socially responsible. Private equity deals are anticipated to continue to be a key trend due to the pipeline of intriguing investment prospects in Hong Kong and the larger Asia-Pacific region.
• Exits – Exits, or the act of selling or disposing of interests, have become a prominent trend in the Hong Kong private equity market. To realize their profits and use their cash for new investments, private equity funds normally aim to exit their assets within three to seven years. Strong investor demand for Asian assets, a supportive regulatory framework, and an expanding pool of high-quality assets up for sale have all contributed to the growth of private equity exits in Hong Kong. In recent years, trade sales have dominated the private equity market in Hong Kong, with strategic buyers—particularly those from China—exhibiting a keen interest in acquiring Hong Kong-based businesses.

Private equity fund tax key considerations in Hong Kong

The tax ramifications of their investments and activities must be carefully considered by private equity funds operating in Hong Kong. To ensure adherence to local tax rules and regulations, it is essential to cooperate with qualified tax professionals.

• Stamp duty – The government derives a sizeable portion of its income through stamp duty in various jurisdictions, including Hong Kong. On the acquisition and sale of securities, such as stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments, stamp duty is levied in Hong Kong. The type of transaction and the value of the securities being traded affect the stamp duty rate in Hong Kong. Stamp duty can affect investment choices, but it can also have larger economic effects. For instance, high stamp duty rates may deter foreign investment and decrease market liquidity, whereas low stamp duty rates may encourage investment and boost market activity.
• Withholding tax – Withholding tax may be applied to certain types of income received by private equity funds operating in Hong Kong, including interest, royalties, and specific payments made to non-residents. The following are important factors to manage withholding tax: Dividend withholding tax, Interest withholding tax, Royalty withholding tax, Capital gains tax and Profit tax.
• Accumulated losses – In Hong Kong, accumulated losses may be carried forward and used as a tax deduction against future earnings. There is no time restriction on how long businesses can use their accumulated losses to lower their tax payments because the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) permits corporations to carry forward their tax losses indefinitely. Companies should be aware of a few restrictions and constraints before carrying over their accrued losses in Hong Kong. For instance, businesses can only carry forward losses if they keep on the same trade or company; they cannot stop or sell the loss-making operation to a different corporation. In addition, the IRD could ask businesses to show evidence that the loss genuinely happened and wasn’t staged or planned. This is done to stop businesses from inflating their losses to reduce their tax obligations.

Private equity fund tax incentives in Hong Kong

Private equity funds may be eligible for some tax benefits in Hong Kong even if there are no particular tax incentives for them. First off, capital gains are not taxed in Hong Kong. The territorial tax system is the second feature of Hong Kong. Thirdly, Hong Kong has a relatively low flat profits tax rate of 16.5% when compared to other countries. The network of double taxation agreements Hong Kong has with other nations can help private equity funds pay less tax when they invest in those nations. Private equity funds must stay current on any changes that may influence their tax liabilities because tax rules and regulations are subject to change over time.

• Generally favored tax regime – Hong Kong is renowned for its straightforward, low-rate, and generally beneficial tax system, which has been essential in luring foreign companies and investments to the area. The primary characteristics of Hong Kong’s tax system that make it widely favored are as follows: Low tax rates, Territorial Tax system, No Tax on Dividends, Tax incentives for certain activities, and Double taxation agreements.
• New carried interest tax concession – Investment fund managers frequently receive carried interest, which is a sort of payment made from the fund’s profits. It has been argued and disputed that carried interest may, in some jurisdictions, be subject to a lower tax rate than other types of income. 2020 saw the introduction of a new carried interest tax break in Hong Kong. This concession allows qualified investment funds to obtain eligible carried interest at a tax rate of only 0%, allowing fund managers to possibly collect their portion of the fund’s profits without having to pay taxes on them.
• New unified profits tax exemption for privately offered funds – For privately issued funds in Hong Kong, such as hedge funds, venture capital funds, and private equity funds, a new unified profits tax exemption was implemented in 2020. The new exemption seeks to boost Hong Kong’s competitiveness as a center for fund management and encourage the growth of the asset management sector in the metropolis. Profits generated by eligible privately issued funds are now excluded from Hong Kong’s profit tax. The fund must be privately offered to professional investors and meet certain criteria, such as being registered with the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) as a non-Hong Kong firm or being founded in Hong Kong, to be eligible.}
• New LPF vehicle for PE funds – The term “LPF” stands for “limited partnership fund” a structure for investment funds that are frequently used in venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) investing. It is a well-liked form because it offers investors little responsibility and permits pass-through taxation. A new fund structure for PE funds was established in Hong Kong in 2020 with the introduction of the Limited Partnership Fund Ordinance (LPFO). Hong Kong is now a more appealing location for fund managers wishing to build up and operate private equity and venture capital funds thanks to the LPFO, which offers a modernized and flexible framework for doing so.
• SFC change of approach to licensing PE fund managers – Private equity (PE) fund manager license policies have been amended by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). PE fund managers have typically been classified by the SFC as “Type 9” asset management companies, which are subject to the same legal restrictions as conventional asset managers. However, the SFC has acknowledged that a one-size-fits-all approach to regulation may not be appropriate because the nature of PE fund management differs from traditional asset management. As a result, the Securities and Futures (Amendment) Law 2019 established a new licensing framework for PE fund managers.

Why choose Eqvista to manage your private equity?

Today private markets are currently the most sought-after investment area due to the wide range of possibilities and flexibility they offer to both investors and business owners. Private Equity management is a critical and integral component of operating a business, regardless of the point in a company’s growth curve. Issuing shares, keeping track of them, and managing them constitute a crucial component of corporate operations from the very beginning of a business, regardless of whether it receives private equity, venture capital, angel, or seed funding.

Due to the progressive nature of investment rounds, manually tracking equity allocation can be very time-consuming. Using advanced software that enables an integrated strategy for all your equity needs, like Eqvista, is recommended. With the help of Eqvista, one of the most sophisticated equity management tools available, you can easily issue, manage, and track your company’s equity. Additionally, our team of professionals collaborates with your business requirements to ensure efficient operations.

Manage your equity with Eqvista!

Private equity, as you are aware, has developed considerably since its inception and is now a viable investment choice for both individuals and small enterprises. But the prominence of secondary markets for private equity has increased. Did you realize, however, that maintaining, observing, tracking, and pricing equity may be a very challenging and challenging task? Eqvista is here to assist, so don’t be concerned. Eqvista can lift all of your financial burdens off your shoulders, from 409A valuation to cap table management software. To learn more about our services and how we can assist you, contact us right away!