Company: ZLAB
Filing Date: 2025-02-27
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0001628280-25-008409
Chunk: 147

Company: Zai Lab Ltd
Filing Date: 2025-02-27
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1A
Chunk 147
---
 ADS holders) may be subject to a 10% Chinese withholding tax on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares, if such income is treated as sourced from within mainland China. Furthermore, gains derived by our non-Chinese individual shareholders from the sale of our securities may be subject to a 20% Chinese withholding tax. It is unclear whether our non-China-based individual shareholders (including our ADS holders) would be subject to any Chinese tax (including withholding tax) on dividends received by such non-Chinese individual shareholders in the event we are determined to be a Chinese resident enterprise. If any Chinese tax were to apply to such dividends, it would generally apply at a rate of 20%. Chinese tax liability may vary under applicable tax treaties. However, it is unclear whether our non-Chinese shareholders would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and mainland China in the event that Zai Lab Limited is treated as a Chinese resident enterprise. 

We and our shareholders may face tax consequences and other requirements in mainland China with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in Chinese resident enterprises.

The indirect transfer of equity interests in Chinese resident enterprises by a non-Chinese resident enterprise, or Indirect Transfer, is potentially subject to income tax in mainland China at a rate of 10% on the gain if such transfer is considered as not having a commercial purpose and is carried out for tax avoidance. The Chinese State Administration of Taxation has issued several rules and notices to tighten scrutiny over such acquisition transactions in recent years and has provided certain factors and criteria that will be considered in determining whether an indirect transfer has a bona fide commercial purpose. Failure to withhold and remit required taxes may result in tax liability and a penalty of 50% to 300% of the unpaid tax. 

It is unclear how these rules and regulations affect future private equity financing transactions, share exchange, or other transactions involving the transfer of shares in Zai Lab Limited by investors that are non-Chinese resident enterprises or the sale or purchase of shares in other non-Chinese resident companies or other taxable assets by us. As a result, we may be required to expend valuable resources to determine whether we or our non-Chinese resident investors are subject to filing, withholding, or tax obligations for certain transactions, such as offshore restructuring transactions or acquisition transactions, and to otherwise comply with these rules and regulations. This may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and ability to complete such transactions with non-Chinese resident