Hong Kong budget: everything you need to know from tax breaks to a big bet on AI

AdvertisementHong Kong budget 2026-27Hong KongHong Kong EconomyHong Kong budget: everything you need to know from tax breaks to a big bet on AIFinancial Secretary Paul Chan unveiled a slew of initiatives in his annual budget address, ranging from relief measures to spending big on AIReading Time:3 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPSCMPPublished: 11:57am, 26 Feb 2026We have put together stories from our coverage of Hong Kong’s 2026-27 budget. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.1. Budget reveal: government turns matchmaker with stronger hand in shaping economyHong Kong’s finance chief on Wednesday lived up to his credentials as a chartered accountant when he produced a surprisingly robust budget, flush with surpluses and full of initiatives to be funded through substantial means at his disposal.2. Here is how you and businesses will benefit from Hong Kong budget sweeteners hikeThe budget also proposed increasing tax allowances from 2026-27, with the basic allowance and the single parent allowance rising from the current HK$132,000 to HK$145,000. Photo: Jelly TseHong Kong authorities will offer sweeteners of about HK$22 billion (US$2.8 billion) to residents and businesses, up from HK$7.8 billion last year, as public coffers are set to pivot from a deficit to a surplus.3. Budget: Hong Kong bets big on AI, chips, Northern Metropolis – as it happenedCatch up on our live coverage of the budget address.AdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x