Agora, Inc.
For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Apr 15, 2025.
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The yearly report of a company based outside the US. It covers much of what a 10-K does, and may follow accounting rules other than US ones.
FY2024 · Filed Apr 15, 2025
Contents
Additional Information
Item 10. Additional Information
A. Share Capital
B. Memorandum and Articles of Association
We incorporate by reference into this annual report our fifth amended and restated memorandum and articles of association filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our registration statement on Amendment No. 1 to Form F-1 (File No. 333-238960) filed with the SEC on June 15, 2020, as amended.
C. Material Contracts
Material contracts other than in the ordinary course of business are described in “Item 4. Information on the Company” and “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions” or elsewhere in this annual report.
D. Exchange Controls
See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulations—Regulations on Foreign Exchange.”
E. Taxation
The following is a general summary of certain Cayman Islands, People’s Republic of China and United States federal income tax consequences relevant to an investment in our ADSs and Class A ordinary shares. The discussion is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, legal or tax advice to any particular prospective purchaser. The discussion is based on laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this annual report, all of which are subject to change or different interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect. The discussion does not address U.S. state or local tax laws, or tax laws of jurisdictions other than the Cayman Islands, the People’s Republic of China and the United States. You should consult your own tax advisors with respect to the consequences of acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ADSs and Class A ordinary shares.
Cayman Islands Taxation
The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty. There are no other taxes likely to be material to us levied by the government of the Cayman Islands except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or, after execution, brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not party to any double tax treaties that are applicable to any payments made to or by our company. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.
Payments of dividends and capital in respect of our ordinary shares will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of a dividend or capital to any holder of our ordinary shares, nor will gains derived from the disposal of our ordinary shares or ADSs be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax.
People’s Republic of China Taxation
Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with a “de facto management body” within the PRC is considered a resident enterprise and will be subject to the enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on its global income. The implementation rules define the term “de facto management body” as a managing body that exercises substantive and overall management and control over the production and business, personnel, accounting books and assets of an enterprise. In April 2009, the STA issued a circular, known as Circular 82, which was amended on December 29, 2017. Circular 82 provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the “de facto management body” of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. Although this circular only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners, the criteria set forth in the circular may reflect the STA’s general position on how the “de facto management body” test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore enterprises. According to Circular 82, an offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a PRC enterprise or a PRC enterprise group will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having its “de facto management body” in China only if all of the following conditions are met: (1) the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in the PRC; (2) decisions relating to the enterprise’s financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the PRC; (3) the enterprise’s primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions, are located or maintained in the PRC; and (4) at least 50% of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC.
We believe that Agora, Inc. is not a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. Agora, Inc. is not controlled by a PRC enterprise or PRC enterprise group, and we do not believe that Agora, Inc. meets all of the conditions above. For similar reasons, we believe our other entities outside of the PRC are not PRC resident enterprises either. However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term “de facto management body.” There can be no assurance that the PRC government will ultimately take a view that is consistent with us.
If the PRC tax authorities determine that Agora, Inc. is a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes or if dividends we pay to our shareholders are otherwise treated as sourced from within the PRC, we may be required to withhold a 10% withholding tax from such dividends we pay to our shareholders that are non-resident enterprises, including the holders of the ADSs. In addition, non-resident enterprise shareholders (including the ADS holders) may be subject to a 10% PRC tax on gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares, if such income is treated as sourced from within the PRC. It is unclear whether our non-PRC individual shareholders (including the ADS holders) would be subject to any PRC tax on dividends or gains obtained by such non-PRC individual shareholders if we are determined to be a PRC resident enterprise or if such dividends or gains are otherwise treated as sourced from within the PRC. If any PRC tax were to apply to such dividends or gains, it would generally apply at a rate of 20% (which in the case of dividends may be withheld at source). It is possible that any PRC tax liability may be reduced under an applicable treaty, but it is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders and ADS holders of Agora, Inc. would be able to obtain the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC if Agora, Inc. is treated as a PRC resident enterprise.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following discussion is a summary of U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the ownership and disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares by the U.S. Holders described below that hold the ADSs or ordinary shares as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment) under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code. This discussion is based upon the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions, final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations and the income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC, or the Treaty, all as of the date hereof and any of which is subject to differing interpretations or change, possibly with retroactive effect. No ruling has been sought from the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, with respect to any U.S. federal income tax considerations described below, and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position. This discussion does not address the U.S. federal estate, gift, and any minimum tax considerations, the Medicare tax on net investment income, or any state, local and non-U.S. tax considerations relating to the ownership or disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares. The following summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to particular investors in light of their individual circumstances or to persons in special tax situations such as:
banks and other financial institutions;
insurance companies;
pension plans;
cooperatives;
regulated investment companies;
real estate investment trusts;
broker-dealers;
traders that elect to use a mark-to-market method of tax accounting;
certain former U.S. citizens or long-term residents;
tax-exempt entities (including private foundations);
persons who acquire their ADSs or ordinary shares pursuant to any employee share option or otherwise as compensation;
persons who hold their ADSs or ordinary shares as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion, constructive sale or other integrated transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
persons whose functional currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar;
persons that actually or constructively own 10% or more of our stock (by vote or value); or
partnerships or other entities taxable as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and their partners;
all of whom may be subject to tax rules that differ significantly from those discussed below.
Each U.S. Holder is urged to consult its tax advisor regarding the application of U.S. federal taxation to its particular circumstances, and the state, local, non-U.S. and other tax considerations of the ownership and disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares.
General
For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” is a person that is eligible for the benefits of the Treaty and that for U.S. federal income tax purposes is a beneficial owner of the ADSs or ordinary shares and:
an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created in, or organized under the law of, the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
an estate the income of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or
a trust (A) the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and which has one or more U.S. persons who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (B) that has otherwise validly elected to be treated as a U.S. person under the Code.
Treasury regulations that apply to taxable years beginning on or after December 28, 2021, or the Foreign Tax Credit Regulations, may in some circumstances prohibit a U.S. person from claiming a foreign tax credit with respect to certain non-U.S. taxes that are not creditable under applicable income tax treaties. Corrections with respect to the Foreign Tax Credit Regulations were published on July 27, 2022. We have not determined whether these limitations will prevent you from claiming a foreign tax credit with respect to any withholding tax imposed on dividends on ADSs or ordinary shares. Furthermore, certain notices from the IRS indicate that the Treasury and the IRS are considering proposing amendments to such regulations and allow taxpayers, subject to certain conditions, to defer the application of many aspects of such regulations until the date when a notice or other guidance withdrawing or modifying this temporary relief is issued (or any later date specified in such notice or other guidance). Accordingly, U.S. investors that are not eligible for Treaty benefits should consult their tax advisors regarding the creditability or deductibility of any PRC taxes imposed on dividends on, or dispositions of, the ADSs or ordinary shares. This discussion does not apply to investors in this special situation.
If a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of the ADSs or ordinary shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships holding the ADSs or ordinary shares and their partners are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding an investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, it is generally expected that a U.S. Holder of ADSs will be treated as the beneficial owner of the underlying shares represented by the ADSs. The remainder of this discussion assumes that a U.S. Holder of the ADSs will be treated in this manner and that deposits or withdrawals of ordinary shares for ADSs will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
A non-U.S. corporation, such as our company, will be considered a PFIC for any taxable year if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income is passive income or (2) at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets during a taxable year) is attributable to assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents, royalties and certain gains. Cash is generally a passive asset for these purposes. Goodwill is characterized as a non-passive or passive asset based on the nature of the income produced in the activity to which the goodwill is attributable. A separate determination must be made after the close of each taxable year as to whether a non-U.S. corporation was a PFIC for that year. Although the law in this regard is not entirely clear, we treat the VIE as being owned by us for U.S. federal income tax purposes because we control its management decisions and are entitled to substantially all of the economic benefits associated with it. While the VIE structure remained effective for our 2024 taxable year, in January 2025, we terminated all contractual arrangements with our VIE.
Based on the composition of our income and assets and the estimated value of our assets, we believe that we likely were a PFIC for our 2024 taxable year. The assets shown on our balance sheet consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments, and while this continues to be the case our PFIC status for any taxable year will depend largely on the value of our goodwill. The value of our goodwill may be determined, in large part, by reference to our average market capitalization for that year. Our market capitalization has been volatile and has declined significantly since our initial public offering. As a result of this decline and the amount of passive assets held by us throughout our 2024 taxable year, we believe we likely were a PFIC for our 2024 taxable year, and there is a significant risk that we will be a PFIC for the current and possibly future taxable years if the market price of the ADSs does not increase. Further, even if the market price of our ADSs does increase, we could still be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year if it were determined that we are not treated as the owner of the VIE for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
If we are or were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds or held the ADSs or ordinary shares, and unless the U.S. Holder makes or has made a mark-to-market election (as described below), the U.S. Holder will generally be subject to special tax rules on (1) any excess distribution that we make to the U.S. Holder (which generally means distributions paid during a taxable year to a U.S. Holder to the extent greater than 125% of the average annual distributions paid in the three preceding taxable years or, if shorter, the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares) and (2) any gain realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares. Under the PFIC rules:
the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares;
the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any taxable years in the U.S. Holder’s holding period prior to the first taxable year in which we are a PFIC, each a pre-PFIC year, will be taxable as ordinary income; and
the amount allocated to each prior taxable year, other than a pre-PFIC year, will be subject to tax at the highest tax rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, for that year, increased by an additional tax equal to the interest on the resulting tax deemed deferred with respect to each such taxable year.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds the ADSs or ordinary shares and any of our subsidiaries, the VIE or any of the subsidiaries of the VIE is also a PFIC, such U.S. Holder will be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of the lower-tier PFIC for purposes of the application of these rules. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to any of our subsidiaries, the VIE or any of the subsidiaries of the VIE.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder owns the ADSs or ordinary shares, the PFIC rules discussed above generally will continue to apply to the U.S. Holder even if we cease to be a PFIC for subsequent taxable years. However, if we are a PFIC for any taxable year and then cease to be a PFIC for a later taxable year, a U.S. Holder can avoid the continuing impact of the PFIC rules by making a “deemed sale” election, under which gain will be recognized as if the U.S. Holder’s ADSs or ordinary shares were sold on the last day of the last taxable year during which we were a PFIC. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors about this election if we are a PFIC for any taxable year.
As an alternative to the foregoing rules, a U.S. Holder of “marketable stock” (as defined below) in a PFIC may make a mark-to-market election with respect to such stock. If a U.S. Holder makes this election with respect to the ADSs, the holder will generally (1) include as ordinary income for each taxable year that we are a PFIC the excess, if any, of the fair market value of ADSs held at the end of the taxable year over the adjusted tax basis of such ADSs and (2) deduct as an ordinary loss in each such taxable year the excess, if any, of the adjusted tax basis of the ADSs over the fair market value of such ADSs held at the end of the taxable year, but such deduction will only be allowed to the extent of the amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election. The U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the ADSs would be adjusted to reflect any income or loss resulting from the mark-to-market election. If a U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election in respect of the ADSs and we cease to be a PFIC, the holder will not be required to take into account the gain or loss described above during any taxable year in which we are not a PFIC. If a U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election, any gain such U.S. Holder recognizes upon the sale or other disposition of the ADSs in a taxable year when we are a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income and any loss will be treated as ordinary loss, but such loss will only be treated as ordinary loss to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election, with any excess treated as a capital loss. The mark-to-market election is available only for “marketable stock,” which is stock that is traded in other than de minimis quantities on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter, or regularly traded, on a qualified exchange or other market, as defined in applicable United States Treasury regulations. The ADSs, but not our ordinary shares, are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, which is a qualified exchange for this purpose, but there can be no assurance that they will be regularly traded. Because a mark-to-market election cannot be made for any lower-tier PFICs that we may own, a U.S. Holder may continue to be subject to the general PFIC rules described in the previous paragraphs with respect to such U.S. Holder’s indirect interest in any investments held by us that are treated as an equity interest in a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
We do not intend to provide information necessary for U.S. Holders to make “qualified electing fund” elections which, if available, would result in tax treatment different from the tax treatment for PFICs described above.
If a U.S. Holder owns the ADSs or ordinary shares during any taxable year that we are a PFIC, the U.S. Holder must generally file an annual IRS Form 8621. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax considerations of owning and disposing of the ADSs or ordinary shares if we are or become a PFIC, including the availability and advisability of making the deemed sale election or the mark-to-market election described above.
Dividends
The following is subject to the discussion under “—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules” above.
We do not intend to make distributions with respect to our ADSs or ordinary shares. Distributions paid on the ADSs or ordinary shares (including the amount of any PRC tax withheld), other than certain pro rata distributions of Class A ordinary shares, out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles, will generally be includible in the gross income of a U.S. Holder as dividend income on the day actually or constructively received by the U.S. Holder in the case of ordinary shares, or by the depositary in the case of ADSs. Because we do not determine our earnings and profits on the basis of U.S. federal income tax principles, we expect that any distribution we pay generally will be reported to U.S. Holders as dividends. Dividends received on the ADSs or ordinary shares will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations in respect of dividends received from U.S. corporations. Subject to applicable limitations, dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders may be taxable at a preferential rate if certain conditions are met (including a minimum holding period and other requirements). However, this preferential rate for “qualified dividend income” will not apply if we are a PFIC or (as discussed above) are treated as a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder for the taxable year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding taxable year. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of this preferential rate in general and in their particular circumstances.
For U.S. foreign tax credit purposes, dividends paid on the ADSs or ordinary shares generally will be treated as income from foreign sources and generally will constitute passive category income. As described in “—People’s Republic of China Taxation,” dividends paid by us may be subject to PRC withholding taxes. The U.S. Holder may be able to obtain a reduced rate of PRC withholding taxes under the Treaty if certain requirements are met. In addition, subject to certain conditions and limitations, PRC taxes withheld from dividends (at a rate not in excess of the applicable Treaty rate) may be eligible for credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. The rules governing the foreign tax credit are complex. For example, the Foreign Tax Credit Regulations provide that, in the absence of an election to apply the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty, in order for foreign income taxes to be creditable the relevant foreign income tax rules must be consistent with certain U.S. federal income tax principles. We have not determined whether the PRC income tax system meets these requirements. However, certain IRS notices indicate that the Treasury and the IRS are considering amendments to these Treasury regulations and provide relief from certain of their provisions for taxable years ending before the date that a notice or other guidance withdrawing or modifying this temporary relief is issued (or any later date specified in such notice or other guidance). U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances. A U.S. Holder who does not elect to claim a foreign tax credit for foreign tax withheld may instead claim a deduction in respect of such withholding, but only for a year in which the U.S. Holder elects to do so for all creditable foreign income taxes.
Sale or Other Disposition
The following is subject to the discussion under “—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules” above.
A U.S. Holder will generally recognize gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the disposition and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in such ADSs or ordinary shares, each determined in U.S. dollars. The gain or loss will generally be capital gain or loss. Individuals and other non-corporate U.S. Holders who have held the ADSs or ordinary shares for more than one year will generally be eligible for preferential tax rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
As described in “—People’s Republic of China Taxation,” gains on the sale of ADSs or ordinary shares may be subject to PRC taxes. Capital gains of U.S. persons are generally treated as U.S.-source income under the Code. However, a U.S. Holder may be able to elect to treat the gain as foreign-source income under the Treaty. The Foreign Tax Credit Regulations generally preclude a U.S. Holder from claiming a foreign tax credit with respect to PRC income taxes on gains from dispositions of ADSs or ordinary shares if the U.S. Holder does not elect to apply the benefits of the Treaty. However, as discussed above, certain IRS notices indicate that the Treasury and the IRS are considering amendments to these Treasury regulations and provide relief from certain of their provisions for taxable years ending before the date that a notice or other guidance withdrawing or modifying this temporary relief is issued (or any later date specified in such notice or other guidance). Even if these Treasury regulations do not prohibit a U.S. Holder from claiming a foreign tax credit with respect to any PRC income tax on disposition gains, other limitations under the foreign tax credit rules may preclude a U.S. Holder from claiming a foreign tax credit, in whole or in part, with respect to such taxes. If a U.S. Holder is precluded from claiming a foreign tax credit with respect to any PRC income taxes on disposition gains, it is possible that such PRC taxes on disposition gains may either be deductible or reduce the amount realized on the disposition. The rules governing foreign tax credits and the deductibility of foreign taxes are complex. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the consequences of the imposition of any PRC tax on disposition gains, including the Treaty’s resourcing rule, any reporting requirements with respect to a Treaty-based return position, the Foreign Tax Credit Regulations and the creditability or deductibility of the PRC tax (or the ability to deduct this tax from the amount realized on a disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares) in their particular circumstances (including any applicable limitations).
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
U.S. Holders may be subject to information reporting to the IRS and U.S. backup withholding with respect to dividends on and proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a U.S. Holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and makes any other required certification, or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, and a U.S. Holder generally may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnishing any required information. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the U.S. information reporting and backup withholding rules.
Information with Respect to Foreign Financial Assets
Certain U.S. Holders may be required to report information relating to the ordinary shares or ADSs, subject to certain exceptions (including an exception for ordinary shares or ADSs held in accounts maintained by certain U.S. financial institutions). U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their reporting obligations with respect to their ownership and disposition of the ordinary shares or ADSs.
F. Dividends and Paying Agents
G. Statement by Experts
H. Documents on Display
We have previously filed with the SEC our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-238960), as amended, and a prospectus under the Securities Act with respect to our Class A ordinary shares represented by our ADSs.
We are subject to the periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Under the Exchange Act, we are required to file reports and other information with the SEC. Specifically, we are required to file annually a Form 20-F within four months after the end of each fiscal year. Copies of reports and other information, when so filed, may be inspected without charge and may be obtained at prescribed rates at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information regarding the Washington, D.C. Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a web site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that make electronic filings with the SEC using its EDGAR system.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules of the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of quarterly reports and proxy statements, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.
We will furnish The Bank of New York Mellon., the depositary, with our annual reports, which include a review of operations and annual audited and consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, and all notices of shareholders’ meeting and other reports and communications that are made generally available to our shareholders. The depositary makes such notices, reports and communications available to holders of ADSs and, upon our request, mails to all record holders of ADSs the information contained in any notice of a shareholders’ meeting received by the depositary from us.
I. Subsidiary Information
J. Annual Report to Security Holders
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.