
Q01
Can a partner's personal debt to the person-in-charge be settled through a "three-way debt offset" alongside company accounts, without being taxed as corporate income?
A01
During a tax audit, if there is a lack of supporting documents and the company cannot prove the funds were used for business operations, this may be deemed a "fictitious liability." If the liability is disallowed and reclassified as a "shareholder current account," it risks being treated as taxable corporate income, potentially leading to tax evasion charges.
Q02
[Subsidies & Incentives for Taipei Industry]If a company was originally registered outside of Taipei City, will the "Company Age" (Years of Establishment) be reset and start from the date it relocated to Taipei?
A02
No.The company's age is calculated based on its "Original Date of Incorporation" (Initial Registration), not the date it relocated to Taipei City.
Q03
Should a trademark be registered as an individual if the company hasn't been incorporated yet?
A03
Registering a trademark as an individual before incorporation is recommended to secure priority under the "first-to-file" principle and prevent brand squatting during the registration gap. Once the company is established, ownership can be formally assigned or licensed to the business, ensuring both brand protection and operational flexibility.
Q04
How should unused paper and electronic invoices be handled?
A04
Unused paper invoices must not be discarded directly; instead, they must be voided by clipping the corners. For electronic invoices, unused invoice number segments must be uploaded to the Ministry of Finance E-Invoice Integrated Service Platform for recordation within 10 days of the start of the next period.
Q05
Can a company’s responsible person enroll in labor union health insurance?
A05
No. The responsible person cannot be insured under a labor union. Their health insurance must be enrolled through the company instead.
Q06
If an entrepreneur sells courses on an online platform without restricting sales to Taiwan, and foreign buyers can also purchase them, what copyright-related risks might arise?
A06
Copyright law follows the principle of “territoriality,” meaning each country has its own copyright regulations. If the course content includes unauthorized materials, once sold across borders to foreign countries, it may violate local copyright laws and lead to cross-border infringement risks.
Q07
What is the “Theme R&D Subsidy”? How is it different from general subsidies?
A07
The Theme R&D Subsidy is a funding program launched by the Department of Economic Development, Taipei City Government (hereafter referred to as the Department). It aims to promote innovation and development in emerging industries based on policy objectives and industry trends.
Unlike general subsidies, this program is not open on a regular basis. Each application round features specific themes and timelines, which are announced separately by the Department.
Q08
I run an e-commerce platform and have drafted user terms by referencing other websites. Do I still need a lawyer to review them?
A08
Referencing terms from other websites can be a good starting point, but directly copying content may lead to copyright issues. It is advisable to consult a legal professional to review and supplement the terms as needed, in order to reduce the risk of future disputes.
Q09
Before applying for the listing of a shared space, a site inspection must be conducted. If the business premises have multiple address numbers, how should they be submitted for review?
A09
If the business premises consist of adjacent units or different floors of the same building, the division or combination of the used area may affect the review results. While each individual address may meet the requirements when submitted separately, a combined review may find that the total area does not comply with regulations. Therefore, it is recommended to apply for a combined address review to avoid potential violations of urban planning or building regulations when operating as a merged entity, which could result in penalties.
When submitting an application, please select one primary address and include any additional address numbers (including floors) that need to be reviewed together in the address remarks section.
For company or business registration, if separate pre-review results for adjacent or same-building addresses are submitted, the Commercial Office will assist or request the applicant to apply for a combined review to prevent unintentional violations of relevant regulations and subsequent penalties.
Q10
How do I register my business if I want to open an online store or sell items online?
A10
An online store refers to a store that sells goods through a virtual online channel, and uses online marketing, direct sales, or store shelf sales as marketing channels . If you have been operating a retail business in a store and sell goods through online marketing, the application for business registration is no different from that of a general store, and the business items depend on the type of goods sold.
If you operate a retail business in a non-traditional retail manner without a store, using mail and electronic media such as radio, television, and the Internet, you should register as "F399040 Non-store Retail Business"; in addition, according to the legislative intent of Article 9 of the Business Registration Act, the business of a business registration can be recorded in a general manner as "In addition to permitted businesses, businesses that are not prohibited or restricted by laws and regulations may be operated."