Hong Kong Government Enhances Tax Regime to Attract Global Funds and Family Offices.

FSTB responds to media enquiries regarding preferential tax regime for carried interest

In response to media enquiries regarding the preferential tax regime for carried interest of the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Preferential Tax Regimes for Funds, Family-owned Investment Holding Vehicles and Carried Interest) Bill 2026, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau issued the following reply today (August 12):

The Government introduced the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Preferential Tax Regimes for Funds, Family-owned Investment Holding Vehicles and Carried Interest) Bill 2026 into the Legislative Council (LegCo) in June this year, to enhance the preferential tax regimes for privately offered funds, family-owned investment holding vehicles managed by eligible single family offices and carried interest, with a view to attracting more funds and family offices to establish a presence in Hong Kong, and more global capital to be managed in Hong Kong, as well as stimulating more local fund investment management and related activities.

One of the key measures in the Bill is to expand the scope of the preferential tax regime for carried interest. Apart from private equity investments which are already covered currently, other profits of eligible funds may also give rise to eligible carried interest which may enjoy a profits tax concession and a salaries tax concession. The preferential tax regime applies to eligible carried interest distributed by "funds" so defined in the Inland Revenue Ordinance (IRO). According to the relevant definition currently set out in the IRO, a "fund" should generally satisfy the requirement that "participating persons do not have day-to-day control over the management of the property", and a business undertaking for general commercial or industrial purposes does not fall within the definition of "fund". Accordingly, a business that trades or holds assets using proprietary capital with a view to generating profits on its own account (commonly referred to as a "proprietary trading business"), does not fall within the definition of "fund", and any remuneration distributed by such a business does not qualify for the tax concessions proposed in the Bill.

In addition, eligible carried interest refers to returns, that are linked to the investment performance of a fund, earned by fund management companies or their qualifying employees from the provision of investment management services in Hong Kong for the fund. Eligible carried interest must be determined in accordance with the agreement governing the operation of the fund or the provision of investment management services, such that the fund manager or their qualifying employees are entitled to receive returns that are based on the investment performance of the fund and are non-discretionary in nature. "Investment management services" provided to a fund include: (a) seeking funds for the fund; (b) researching and advising on potential investments to be made for the fund; (c) acquiring, managing or disposing of property or investments for the fund; and (d) acting for the fund with a view to assisting an entity in which the fund has invested to raise funds. Therefore, whether the remuneration of an employee of a fund management company qualifies as eligible carried interest depends on whether the employee's duties, in substance, constitute "investment management services", subject to other aforementioned conditions.

The Bill also proposes to refine the requirements with respect to the distribution of eligible carried interest under the preferential tax regime for carried interest (e.g. broadening the scope of "associate", allowing qualifying employees to receive carried interest through other entities) to accommodate different possible distribution arrangements of carried interest in practice.

The Bill is currently under scrutiny by the LegCo's Bills Committee, with the clause-by-clause examination completed. The Government targets to resume second reading debate on the Bill within the second half of this year. Subject to passage by the LegCo, the relevant measures will take effect from the year of assessment 2025/26. In implementing the enhancement measures, the Inland Revenue Department will issue administrative guidance where necessary to provide further clarifications on matters relating to the implementation details. The relevant administrative guidance will be in line with the above legal framework. The Government does not have plans to further expand the scope of the preferential measures.

The Government has been maintaining close liaison with the industry to explain the policy intent and the scope of the preferential tax regime, and has been in active dialogue with them on the implementation details of the new regime. In the process, a number of fund management companies, both local and overseas, have expressed interest in considering to establish a presence or expand their operations in Hong Kong having regard to the tax incentives proposed in the Bill. The Government expects that these enhancement measures will attract more global capital to be managed in Hong Kong and encourage more funds to be established and operated here, thereby stimulating business activities in related professional service sectors and strengthening Hong Kong's competitiveness as a leading international asset and wealth management centre.

Source: AI-found images

CHP records another case of severe paediatric influenza A infection

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 12) recorded another severe paediatric influenza A infection case. The CHP urged the public to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent influenza and other respiratory illnesses.

The case involves a 17-month-old girl with good past health. She developed a fever and cough on August 9 and was taken to a private clinic on the following day (August 10). Later that same day, her condition deteriorated and she developed shortness of breath. She was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Due to her respiratory distress and low blood pressure, she was admitted to the hospital's paediatric intensive care unit. Her respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A virus. Her clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with severe pneumonia and septic shock. She remains hospitalised in critical condition.

The CHP's preliminary investigation revealed that the girl had not received the seasonal influenza vaccination during the previous season (2025/26). Her household contacts remain asymptomatic. The CHP will continue to investigate the case.

"Since Hong Kong entered the influenza season in late June, a cumulative total of nine cases of severe paediatric influenza infection have been recorded. Apart from one fatal case, three patients have recovered and been discharged, one remains in stable condition, two are in serious condition, and two are in critical condition (including the case mentioned above). Surveillance data shows thatthe level of influenza activity is currently on the rise, with a high level of influenza transmission in the community. As the number of infections is expected to rise, the number of severe cases will subsequently increase. In general, the situation in the current influenza season is comparable to that of previous influenza seasons, and the disease primarily affects the elderly and children. The predominant influenza viruses detected in Hong Kong are influenza A (H1) and influenza A (H3). The Public Health Laboratory Services Branch under the CHP has conducted viral genetic analyses of influenza cases, and confirmed that the predominant influenza virus strains are similar to those circulating in other regions of the world, with no significant genetic mutations detected so far. These strains would not cause a more severe illness or resistance to antiviral drugs," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.

"The World Health Organization has earlier announced its recommendations for the composition of influenza vaccines for the 2026/27 season in the northern hemisphere. Vaccine manufacturers are currently producing vaccines in accordance with the recommendations for use by the end of the year. The Government has completed the procurement process for the 2026/27 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (SIV) Programmes and is actively preparing various vaccination arrangements. The 2026/27 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination School Outreach Programme (SIVSOP) will introduce a new Electronic Consent Form (e-consent form) feature. Starting from today, we will distribute school-specific QR codes to participating schools for distribution to parents. The QR codes will become effective on August 17. By then, parents can start filling out the e-consent forms for their children. I urge all schools and parents in Hong Kong to work closely with the CHP to actively participate in next season's SIVSOP and use the e-consent forms to complete the consent process as soon as possible. In that case, schools can plan and organise SIV school outreach activities earlier," he added.

Dr Tsui also reminded parents that the health condition of children with influenza can deteriorate rapidly. Parents must pay close attention to their condition, and visit an accident and emergency department immediately if the child's condition deteriorates with symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain, confusion, a persistent fever or convulsions. Members of the public should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop respiratory symptoms. If they live with members of high-risk groups, such as children, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses or compromised immune systems, they should wear a surgical mask at home to reduce the risk of infecting them. Other effective ways to reduce the spread of the disease include maintaining household hygiene, frequently cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, practising good hand hygiene, and ensuring proper indoor air circulation.

Members of the public may refer to the CHP'sCOVID-19 & Flu Express,Seasonal Influenza WebpageandCOVID-19 Vaccination Programme Webpage, for the latest information.

Source: AI-found images