Registration of Kft company in Hungary
A classic limited liability company in Hungary is called Korlátolt felelősségű társaság, abbreviated as Kft.
The director can be either a resident or a foreign natural person, the shareholder can be a natural or legal person, including foreign persons, without limitation on the number of persons.
It is obligatory to have a registered office of the company. Tax returns and financial statements must be filed annually.
The minimum authorized capital is 3 million HUF (about 10,000 €).
Company taxation in Hungary
As of January 1, 2017, the corporate tax rate is 9% of the positive taxable base, to which is added a municipal tax of 2%. The VAT rate is 27%.
Company formation procedure in Hungary
- Submission of at least three company name options and name availability check. The requirements for the company name are standard: uniqueness, indication of the selected legal form, only Latin characters, and restrictions on certain words (e.g., Hungarian, national, Budapest). Non-compliance may significantly delay the company registration process.
- Discussion of the business structure, share capital, and ownership distribution scheme among participants.
- Document preparation. Company registration in Hungary requires the preparation of documents in Hungarian for all individuals: directors, shareholders, and attorneys. Original documents or notarized copies in English (passport, utility bill) are necessary. Our compliance department may request additional documents.
- Preparation of the corporate documents set in English and Hungarian.
- Registration with the Company’s Court. Upon positive review of the application, you will receive a registration certificate (indicating the company name, registered office address, and all numbers, including temporary tax, registration, and statistical numbers).
- Registration with local tax authorities.
- VAT and corporate tax registration. Filing VAT returns is mandatory for all companies in Hungary.
- Registration with the social security authorities.
Terms and conditions of annual maintenance of the company in Hungary
Legal address costs, administrative services (annual compliance), preparation of annual report (no audit required), accounting services.
Hungarian company reporting
Annual Financial Statements:
- All companies in Hungary must prepare and file annual financial statements. These must be submitted to the Hungarian Ministry of Finance’s online system. The statements include a balance sheet, profit and loss account, and notes to the financial statements.
- Filing Deadline: Within 5 months after the end of the financial year (generally by May 31 for companies using the calendar year).
Corporate Income Tax Return (CIT):
- Companies are required to file a corporate income tax return with the Hungarian tax authorities.
- Filing Deadline: The same as the financial statements, within 5 months after the financial year ends.
Value Added Tax (VAT) Returns:
- Companies registered for VAT in Hungary must file regular VAT returns, typically on a monthly or quarterlybasis, depending on their turnover.
- Filing Deadline: VAT returns must be submitted by the 20th of the following month or quarter.
Local Business Tax (Municipal Tax):
- Companies must file and pay local business tax. This tax is calculated based on the company’s revenue, with a rate that can vary by municipality (up to 2%).
- Filing Deadline: Annually along with the corporate tax return.
Social Security and Payroll Reporting:
- Companies with employees must file regular reports to the Hungarian social security authorities, including contributions for social security and health insurance.
- Filing Deadline: Monthly by the 12th of the following month.
Transfer Pricing Documentation:
- If the company is part of a group or has related-party transactions, it must maintain transfer pricing documentation that justifies the pricing of transactions with related parties. Failure to comply can result in fines.
Auditing Requirements:
- Companies in Hungary are required to have an audit if they meet two of the following criteria for two consecutive years:
- Annual net sales exceed 300 million HUF (approx. 800,000 EUR),
- Total assets exceed 500 million HUF (approx. 1.3 million EUR),
- Average number of employees exceeds 50.
- Audited financial statements must be submitted along with the annual accounts.
Accounting Standards:
- Companies in Hungary must prepare their financial statements in accordance with Hungarian accounting standards, although certain companies (such as subsidiaries of foreign companies) may prepare their reports according to IFRS.
Non-compliance with reporting obligations can lead to penalties, including fines and potential deregistration of the company.