Company limited by shares

A company limited by shares must carry on a profit-seeking business and is a separate and distinct legal entity whereby its capital is divided into shares. A foreign investor must file a foreign investment application (FIA) with the Investment Commission and upon approval incorporate an FIA company in Taiwan.

Closely-held company limited by shares

On June 15, 2015, a special section entitled "Closely-Held Company" (CHC) was added to Chapter 5 (Company Limited by Shares) as a result of the amendments to the Company Act. Its purpose is to encourage the growth of startups and small and medium enterprises and to accommodate the unique needs of tech startups. The amendments aim to create more autonomy for those small or medium companies and to increase the flexibility in share ownership arrangement and business operations of CHC.

Limited company

A limited company is owned by members whose respective ownerships are stated in terms of the amount of the members' capital contributions. A foreign investor must file an FIA with the Investment Commission and upon approval incorporate a limited company in Taiwan. A limited company has fewer corporate formalities than a company limited by shares. For example, a limited company does not have shareholders' meetings.

Branch office of a foreign company

A foreign company may register a branch office to carry on profit-seeking activities in Taiwan. A branch office is exempt from almost all of the corporate formality requirements of a company limited by shares.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

• Company limited by shares
• Closely-held company limited by shares
• Limited company
• Branch office of a foreign company

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

None, unless the company is engaged in a business/industry that is required by the competent authority to have a minimum amount of capital or if it employs a foreigner to work in Taiwan.

Closely-held company limited by shares

None, unless the CHC is engaged in a business/industry that is required by the competent authority to have a minimum amount of capital or if it employs a foreigner to work in Taiwan.

Limited company

None, unless the company is engaged in a business/industry that is required by the competent authority to have a minimum amount of capital or if it employs a foreigner to work in Taiwan.

Branch office of a foreign company

None, unless the branch office is engaged in a business/industry that is required by the competent authority to have a minimum amount of working capital or if it employs a foreigner to work in Taiwan.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Limited company

Members are not liable for the debts of the company aside from their capital contributions to the company. Branch office of a foreign company

A branch office is considered as a part of its foreign head office, which will be liable for any activities or debts of the  branch office.

Branch office of a foreign company

A branch office is considered as a part of its foreign company, which will be liable for any activities or debts of the branch office.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

A company (including an FIA company) is taxed on its worldwide net income.

Closely-held company limited by shares

A CHC (including an FIA company) is taxed on its worldwide net income.

Limited company

A company (including an FIA company) is taxed on its worldwide net income.

Branch office of a foreign company

A branch office is taxed on its own (exclusive of its foreign head office’s) net income.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

File for company registration (and FIA if any shareholder is a foreign national/entity) with the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA).

Closely-held company limited by shares

File for company registration (and FIA if any shareholder is a foreign national/entity) with the MOEA.

Limited company

File for company registration (and FIA, if any member is a foreign national/entity) with the MOEA.

Branch office of a foreign company

File for registration of the branch office with the MOEA.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

Well regarded and widely used.

Closely-held company limited by shares

Well regarded.

Limited company

Typically an individual or family-owned company.

Branch office of a foreign company

Widely used by foreign companies because of certain tax advantages.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

If there is more than 1 shareholder, shareholders' meetings must be held physically to approve certain important corporate matters, such as the company's annual financial statements. For a non-public status company, its shareholders' meeting may be conducted through video conferencing if its articles of incorporation so permit. Where there is only 1 shareholder, then all functions of the shareholders’ meeting are exercised by the board meetings.

Closely-held company limited by shares

If there is more than 1 shareholder, shareholders' meetings must be held to approve certain important corporate matters, such as the CHC's annual financial statements. If there is only 1 shareholder, then all functions of the shareholders’ meeting are exercised by the board meetings. The shareholders' meeting of a CHC may be conducted through video conferencing, and a resolution can be approved by all shareholders in writing without convening a meeting.

Limited company

Not applicable for this jurisdiction. Members are not required to meet annually.  Rather, important corporate matters must be approved by all members in writing.  

Branch office of a foreign company

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

An annual board meeting is required to convene the annual shareholders' meeting.

Closely-held company limited by shares

An annual board meeting is required.

Limited company

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Branch office of a foreign company

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

The company must file annual tax returns.

Closely-held company limited by shares

The CHC must file annual tax returns.

Limited company

The company must file annual tax returns.

Branch office of a foreign company

The branch office must file annual tax returns.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

The company must apply for business registration with the tax authority after incorporation.

Closely-held company limited by shares

The CHC must apply for business registration with the tax authority after incorporation.

Limited company

The company must apply for business registration with the tax authority after establishment.

Branch office of a foreign company

The branch office must apply for business registration with the tax authority after registration with the MOEA.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

Generally, an application to the MOEA for amending its company registration to expand its scope of business is required.

 

Closely-held company limited by shares

Generally, an application to the MOEA for amending its company registration to expand its scope of business is required.

Limited company

Generally, an application to the MOEA for amending its company registration to expand its scope of business is required.

Branch office of a foreign company

Generally, an application to the MOEA for amending the branch registration to expand its scope of business is required.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

File dissolution documents with the MOEA and complete the liquidation process.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

Annual board meeting and shareholders' meeting.

Closely-held company limited by shares

Annual board meeting and shareholders' meeting.

Limited company

None.

Branch office of a foreign company

None.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

At least 3 directors, 1 supervisor and a chairman of the board are required. If its articles of incorporation so permit, a non-public status company may have only 1 director (acting as the chairman of the company and exercising all functions of the board of directors) and 1 supervisor. Furthermore, if there is only1 corporate shareholder and its articles of incorporation so permit, then the company is exempt from the requirement to appoint a supervisor.

Closely-held company limited by shares

At least 3 directors, 1 supervisor and a chairman of the board are required. If its articles of incorporation so permit, a CHC may have only 1 director acting as the chairman of the company and exercising all functions of the board of directors.  Furthermore, if there is only 1 corporate shareholder and its articles of incorporation so permit, then the CHC is exempt from the requirement to appoint a supervisor.

Limited company

The company must have at least 1 director, who must be a member or a representative designated by a corporate member.

Branch office of a foreign company

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

None.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Closely-held company limited by shares

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Limited company

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Branch office of a foreign company

The foreign head office of the Taiwan branch office must designate a representative who can concurrently act as the branch manager.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

A local registered office address is required.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

None for incorporation.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

No.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Permitted but subject to certain restrictions.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Permitted but seldom used – there is no need to have a corporate secretary.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

The nationality and residency requirements of an FIA company are exempt, provided that a Mainland Chinese (PRC) national is not permitted to act as the director or supervisor.

Closely-held company limited by shares

The nationality and residency requirements of an FIA company are exempt; provided that a PRC national is not permitted to act as the director or supervisor.

Limited company

The nationality and residency requirements of an FIA company are exempt, provided that a PRC national is not permitted to act as the director.

Branch office of a foreign company

The nationality and residency requirements are exempt, provided that a PRC national is not permitted to act as the designated representative of the foreign head office or branch manager.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

None, except that, for FIA purposes, it is necessary to disclose the ultimate beneficiaries of a foreign corporate shareholder.

Closely-held company limited by shares

None, except that, for FIA purposes, it is necessary to disclose the ultimate beneficiaries of a foreign corporate shareholder.

Limited company

None, except that, for FIA purposes, it is necessary to disclose the ultimate beneficiaries of a foreign corporate shareholder.

Branch office of a foreign company

None.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

The identities of the directors and supervisor are publicly disclosed. The identities of the shareholders are not publicly disclosed, except that the public would know the identity of a shareholder who acts as a director or supervisor or of a corporate shareholder who appoints a director or supervisor.

Closely-held company limited by shares

The identities of the directors and supervisor of the CHC are publicly disclosed. The identities of the shareholders are not publicly disclosed, except that the public would know the identity of a shareholder who acts as a director or supervisor or of a corporate shareholder who appoints a director or supervisor.

Limited company

The identity(ies) of the director(s) is publicly disclosed. The identity(ies) of the member(s) is not publicly disclosed, except that the public would know the identity of a member who acts as the director or of a corporate member who appoints the director.

Branch office of a foreign company

The identity of the branch manager is publicly disclosed. The name of the foreign company is also publicly disclosed.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

Must have at least 3 directors, provided that a non-public status company which has only 1 corporate shareholder may have only 1 director if its articles of incorporation so permit. There is no maximum number of directors.

Closely-held company limited by shares

Must have at least 3 directors, provided that a CHC which has only 1 corporate shareholder may have only 1 director if its articles of incorporation so permit. There is no maximum number of directors.

Limited company

Must have at least 1, but not more than 3 directors.

Branch office of a foreign company

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

Must have at least 2 shareholders but may have a sole shareholder if such sole shareholder is a company. There is no maximum number of shareholders.

Closely-held company limited by shares

1 shareholder is sufficient. The maximum number of shareholders is 50.

Limited company

1 member is sufficient.

Branch office of a foreign company

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

Removal of directors can be effectuated by the shareholders' meeting or the shareholder designating such director (without a shareholders' meeting). Officers can be removed by the board.

Closely-held company limited by shares

Removal of directors can be effectuated by the shareholders' meeting or the shareholder designating such director (without a shareholders' meeting). Officers can be removed by the board.

Limited company

All members must consent to remove or replace the director(s).

Branch office of a foreign company

Manager of the branch office can be removed by the board of the foreign company.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

 

No required officers.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

Generally, 1 regular board meeting is required, which can either be a physical meeting or held through video conferencing. For a non-public status company, a unanimous written resolution in lieu of a board meeting is allowed if its articles of incorporation so permit. A board meeting held by telephone conference is not permitted.

Closely-held company limited by shares

Generally, 1 regular board meeting is required, which can either be a physical meeting or held through video conferencing. A unanimous written resolution in lieu of a board meeting is allowed if its articles of incorporation  permit. A board meeting held by telephone conference is not permitted.

Limited company

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Branch office of a foreign company

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

Other than for certain important matters stated in the Company Act and/or its articles of incorporation, a simple majority must be present for both board (directors) and shareholders' (voting shares) meetings.

Closely-held company limited by shares

Other than for certain important matters stated in the Company Act and/or its articles of incorporation, a simple majority must be present for both board (directors) and shareholders' (voting shares) meetings.

Limited company

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Branch office of a foreign company

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Before incorporation of the entity, a preparatory bank account must be opened at a local bank to receive the paid-in capital/working capital of such entity. After the company/branch office registration and business registration are completed, the entity may opt to open a permanent account at a local bank.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

A company with capital over NTD30 million (approximately USD1 million) or a company with capital less than NTD30 million but with (1) annual sales revenue exceeding NTD100 million (approximately USD3.3 million), or (2) more than 100 local employees, must have its annual financial statements audited by a local CPA. Except for the annual financial statements approved by the board/shareholders’ meeting (in respect of which the company must keep at least a copy thereof at the company’s place of business), other company's books and records need not be kept locally.

Closely-held company limited by shares

A CHC with capital over NTD30 million (approximately USD1 million) or a company with capital less than NTD30 million but with (1) annual sales revenue exceeding NTD100 million (approximately USD3.3 million), or (2) more than 100 local employees, must have its annual financial statements audited by a local CPA. Except for the annual financial statements approved by the board/shareholders’ meeting (in respect of which the CHC must keep at least a copy thereof at the CHC’s place of business), other CHC's books and records need not be kept locally.

Limited company

A company with capital contributions over NTD30 million (approximately USD1 million) or a company with capital contributions less than NTD30 million but with (1) annual sales revenue exceeding NTD100 million (approximately USD3.3 million), or (2) more than 100 local employees, must have its annual financial statements audited by a local CPA. The company's books and records need not be kept locally.

Branch office of a foreign company

A branch office must keep separate accounting books. A branch office with working capital over NTD30 million (approximately USD1 million) or a branch office with working capital less than NTD30 million but with (1) annual sales revenue exceeding NTD100 million (approximately USD3.3 million), or (2) more than 100 local employees, must have its annual financial statements audited by a local CPA. The branch office’s books and records need not be kept locally.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

A company may issue either par value shares or no-par value shares.

Closely-held company limited by shares

A CHC may issue either par value shares or no-par value shares.

Limited company

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Branch office of a foreign company

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

An increase in the company's authorized capital will result in a Capital Tax of NTD1 for every NTD4,000 increase.

Closely-held company limited by shares

An increase in the company's authorized capital will result in a Capital Tax of NTD1 for every NTD4,000 increase.

Limited company

An increase in the company's capital contributions will result in a Capital Tax of NTD1 for every NTD4,000 increase.

Branch office of a foreign company

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

The company may repatriate all its after-tax profits (minus 10-percent legal reserve) as dividends after the annual shareholders' meeting has accepted the annual financial statements. In addition, the company may distribute dividends after the end of each quarter or half fiscal year after its board meeting has accepted the quarterly/semi-annual financial statements if its articles of incorporation so permit. In order to repatriate the company's invested capital, the company would have to either reduce its capital or liquidate.

Closely-held company limited by shares

A CHC may repatriate all its after-tax profits (minus 10-percent legal reserve) as dividends after the annual shareholders' meeting has accepted the annual financial statements and, if its articles of incorporation so permit, may also distribute dividends after the end of each quarter or half fiscal year after its board meeting has accepted the quarterly/semi-annual financial statements. In order to repatriate the CHC's invested capital, the CHC would have to either reduce its capital or liquidate.

Limited company

The company may repatriate all its after-tax profits (minus 10-percent legal reserve) after the members have accepted the annual financial statements and, if its articles of incorporation so permit, may also distribute profits after the end of each quarter or half fiscal year after its members have accepted the quarterly/semi-annual financial statements. In order to repatriate the company's capital contributions, the company would have to either reduce its capital or liquidate.

Branch office of a foreign company

After-tax profits of a branch office can be repatriated to its foreign company free from dividend tax. In order to repatriate the branch office’s working capital, the foreign company would have to pass resolutions to reduce the branch office’s working capital or liquidate the branch office.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

Except to the extent the articles of incorporation of the company prohibit or restrict the transfer of preferred shares, the transfer of shares may not be prohibited or restricted by a company's articles of incorporation. Transfers by or to foreign investors require FIA approval.

Closely-held company limited by shares

In order to maintain the "closely-held" feature of a CHC, restrictions on share transfer shall be specified in the articles of incorporation and the share certificates of the CHC (and, if the CHC does not issue share certificates, the private agreements among the shareholders).

Limited company

Transfer of a member's capital contribution requires the approval of 51 percent of the other members. Transfer of a director's capital contribution requires the consent of all other members.

Branch office of a foreign company

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

A Chinese name reservation must be made before filing for incorporation of a company or registration of a branch office by a foreign company.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Generally not required. Entities in the financial sector will typically impose their own KYC requirements in accordance with Taiwan Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA).

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

Any amendment to the company's articles of incorporation generally requires shareholders' meeting approvals.

Closely-held company limited by shares

Any amendment to the CHC's articles of incorporation generally requires shareholders' meeting approvals.

Limited company

Any amendment to the company's articles of incorporation requires approval of all members.

Branch office of a foreign company

Not applicable for this jurisdiction.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Company limited by shares

Special licenses/permits are required for certain business activities (eg, banking, securities, telecommunications  or  manufacturing). Aside from this, the company may carry on its business after completion of the incorporation process and business registration.

Closely-held company limited by shares

Special licenses/permits are required for certain business activities.

Limited company

Special licenses/permits are required for certain business activities.

Branch office of a foreign company

Special licenses/permits are required for certain business activities.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024

Shelf companies are not available in Taiwan.

Last modified 1 Jul 2024