2026 How to do LLC Company Registration in Taiwan
By Guan Yu CPA Firm | Leading Taichung English Service CPA
In Taiwan, a standard Limited Liability Company is registered as a Limited Company (有限公司) under the Taiwan Company Act. Foreign entrepreneurs can own 100% of the equity, provided the business sector is permitted under foreign investment regulations.
Below is a detailed guide on how to complete LLC company registration in Taiwan in 2026, including legal requirements, step-by-step procedures, costs, and timelines.
Key Legal Requirements for Taiwan LLC Setup
- Minimum Capital: Taiwan eliminated general statutory minimum capital requirements for regular LLCs. However, the capital must be sufficient to cover initial operational setup expenses and pass the mandatory CPA capital audit verification.
- Shareholders & Directors: Minimum of 1 shareholder (foreign individual or corporate entity). There is no legal requirement for a local resident director for standard limited companies.
- Registered Address: Must have a valid commercial address in Taiwan (physical lease or virtual office package).
- Beneficial Ownership Disclosure: Under anti-money laundering regulations, companies must disclose Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs) holding 25% or more of shares or voting rights to the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA).
Step-by-Step LLC Registration Process
Step 1: Company Name Pre-Check & Business Scope Reservation
Choose an official Chinese name for the company and select your business scope codes. Submit up to 5 preferred names to the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) for reservation and pre-examination. (Timeline: 3–5 business days)
Step 2: Foreign Investment Approval (DIR / MOEA)
Foreign investments must be reviewed and approved by the Department of Investment Review (DIR) (formerly known as the Investment Commission or MOEAIC) under the Statute for Investment by Foreign Nationals (SIFN).
Required Documents: Passport copies for individuals, or Certificate of Incorporation/Articles for corporate entity shareholders, business plan overview, source of funds documentation, and Power of Attorney (POA) appointing a local legal agent.
Note: Documents issued outside Taiwan usually require notarization and authentication by a Taiwan Overseas Mission (TECO). (Timeline: 2–4 weeks)
Step 3: Open a Preparatory Corporate Bank Account
Once DIR approval is granted, open a local corporate preparatory bank account (籌備處專戶) in Taiwan. Major Taiwanese and international banks typically require the appointed director or legal representative to attend an in-person Know Your Customer (KYC) identity check. (Timeline: 1–2 weeks)
Step 4: Capital Inflow & Foreign Exchange Settlement
Remit the approved capital from abroad into the preparatory corporate bank account. Perform foreign exchange conversion into New Taiwan Dollars (NTD) and preserve official bank remittance slips and exchange memos for audit verification.
Step 5: CPA Capital Verification Audit
According to the Taiwan Company Act, capital injections by foreign investors must be audited by a local licensed Certified Public Accountant. Guan Yu CPA Firm inspects bank records and issues an official CPA Capital Verification Report. (Timeline: 3–5 business days)
Step 6: Company Incorporation & Tax Registration
Submit the CPA Audit Report, Articles of Incorporation, premises lease agreement, and DIR approval to the local municipal government (e.g., Taipei or Taichung City Government). Upon approval, the government issues the Company Registration Certificate and an 8-digit Unified Business Number (UBN).
Register the business tax profile with the National Taxation Bureau to enable the issuance of Government Uniform Invoices (GUI / e-GUI), and convert the preparatory bank account into a fully operational corporate account. (Timeline: 1–2 weeks)
Estimated Fees & Timeline Summary
| Stage / Component | Estimated Costs (NTD / USD) | Estimated Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Government Filing Fees | ~NT$1,000 – NT$3,000 (~$30 – $100) | Included in processing |
| CPA & Agency Registration Fees | ~NT$40,000 – NT$90,000 (~$1,300 – $3,000) | Overall process |
| CPA Capital Verification Audit Report | ~NT$10,000 – NT$25,000 (~$350 – $800) | 3–5 business days |
| Registered Commercial Address (Virtual Office) | ~NT$3,000 – NT$6,000 / month (~$100 – $200) | Setup upon lease sign |
| Document Translation & TECO Authentication | ~NT$3,000 – NT$10,000 (~$100 – $350) | Varies by origin country |
| Total Turnkey Setup Window | — | 4 to 8 weeks |
Ongoing Post-Registration Compliance
- Value-Added Tax (VAT / Business Tax): Standard 5% rate, filed bimonthly (every two months).
- Corporate Income Tax (CIT): Standard 20% tax rate on taxable profit, filed annually every May.
- Withholding Tax: Applies to dividend distributions, foreign service fees, or royalties paid to non-resident entities/individuals.
- Beneficial Ownership Filing: Annual update or mandatory disclosure within 15 days of any changes in 25%+ shareholders/UBOs.
