Hong Kong (HK)
Hong Kong is one of the world's most dynamic cities — a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China operating under the 'One Country, Two Systems' framework that preserves its common law legal system, independent judiciary, free port status, and separate currency.
2026 Annual Changes — Hong Kong
Updated thresholds, benefits, and regulatory changes effective this year.
Hong Kong updates numerous financial and regulatory thresholds across the tax year (1 April–31 March). Key 2025-26/2026 updates: the Statutory Minimum Wage rose to HK$42.1/hour in May 2025 then to HK$43.1/hour from 1 May 2026; the 2026-27 Budget (announced February 2026) raises all personal tax allowances from YA 2026/27; a one-off 100% salaries-tax rebate (capped at HK$3,000) applies for 2025/26; and the eMPF Platform is fully operational. Tax and social security thresholds change less frequently than European counterparts. Monitor ird.gov.hk and mpfa.org.hk for official confirmations.
Key Changes for 2026
| Category | 2026 Value | Previous | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statutory Minimum Wage SMW increased twice in 2026: May 2025 biennial review to HK$42.1; then again to HK$43.1 from 1 May 2026 (next biennial review) | HK$42.1/hour (May 2025 – April 2026); HK$43.1/hour from 1 May 2026. Monthly record-keeping cap: HK$17,600/month from May 2026. | HK$40/hour (effective May 2023); HK$42.1 (May 2025) | 1 May 2026 (HK$43.1 rate) |
| Foreign Domestic Helper — Minimum Allowable Wage Minimum Allowable Wage for Foreign Domestic Helpers increased | HK$5,100/month; food allowance HK$1,236/month (or employer provides free food) | HK$4,990/month (pre-September 2025) | 30 September 2025 (for new contracts signed on or after this date) |
| MPF — Maximum Relevant Income Level Maximum level of relevant income for MPF contributions — unchanged since 2014 | HK$30,000/month (mandatory contribution capped on this amount; minimum relevant income: HK$7,100/month) | HK$30,000/month (unchanged since June 2014) | Ongoing — no change in 2026 |
| MPF — Maximum Monthly Contribution Maximum MPF contribution per party per month — unchanged | HK$1,500/month each (employee and employer) — 5% of HK$30,000 income ceiling | HK$1,500/month (unchanged) | Ongoing — no change in 2026 |
| Salaries Tax — Personal Allowance 2025/26 personal allowance unchanged; 2026-27 Budget raises it from YA 2026/27 | YA 2025/26 (income to 31 Mar 2026): HK$132,000. YA 2026/27 (income from 1 Apr 2026): HK$145,000 (proposed in Feb 2026 Budget, subject to LegCo approval) | HK$132,000/year (unchanged since 2018) | HK$132,000: YA 2025/26; HK$145,000: from YA 2026/27 |
| Salaries Tax — Married Person's Allowance 2025/26 allowance unchanged; 2026-27 Budget raises it from YA 2026/27 | YA 2025/26: HK$264,000. YA 2026/27: HK$290,000 (proposed in Feb 2026 Budget) | HK$264,000/year (unchanged) | HK$264,000: YA 2025/26; HK$290,000: from YA 2026/27 |
| Salaries Tax — Child Allowance 2025/26 allowance unchanged; 2026-27 Budget raises it from YA 2026/27 and extends newborn additional period | YA 2025/26: HK$130,000 per child (additional HK$130,000 in year of birth). YA 2026/27: HK$140,000 per child; newborn additional period extended from 1 year to 2 years (HK$280,000 total per newborn born on or after 1 Apr 2025). | HK$130,000 per child | HK$130,000: YA 2025/26; HK$140,000: from YA 2026/27 |
| Salaries Tax — 2025/26 One-off Rebate 2026-27 Budget grants a one-off 100% reduction of salaries tax for YA 2025/26 | 100% reduction capped at HK$3,000 per case (applies to salaries tax, personal assessment, and profits tax for YA 2025/26) | — | YA 2025/26 (announced February 2026 Budget) |
| Salaries Tax — Standard Rate Standard (flat) rate remains 15% for most taxpayers; two-tiered structure applies to very high earners | 15% on first HK$5,000,000 of net income (after deductions, before allowances); 16% on net income exceeding HK$5,000,000 | 15% (15%/16% two-tier introduced for YA 2024/25) | Ongoing — no change in 2026 |
| Salaries Tax — Progressive Rates Progressive tax rates and bands — confirmed unchanged (rates apply since 2018/19) | 2% (first HK$50,000); 6% (next HK$50,000); 10% (next HK$50,000); 14% (next HK$50,000); 17% (remainder) | Same rates and bands (applying since YA 2018/19) | Ongoing — no change in 2026 |
| VHIS — Tax Deduction for Voluntary Health Insurance Maximum tax deduction for VHIS premiums per insured person — unchanged | HK$8,000/year per insured person (self and dependants) | HK$8,000/year (unchanged since VHIS launch 2019) | Ongoing — no change in 2026 |
| QDAP / TVC — Tax Deduction for Retirement Savings Combined tax deduction cap for QDAP premiums and MPF Tax-deductible Voluntary Contributions — unchanged | HK$60,000/year combined cap for QDAP and TVC | HK$60,000/year (unchanged since 2019) | Ongoing — no change in 2026 |
| Stamp Duty — Property Purchase All extra property cooling measures abolished in February 2024 — only standard Ad Valorem Duty now applies | AVD only: 1.5% (under HK$3M) to 8.5% (above HK$21.739M) — same scale for all buyers including foreigners. Pre-Feb 2024 non-HKPR buyers faced additional 15% Buyer's Stamp Duty on top. | Pre-Feb 2024: BSD 15%, NRSD 15%, SSD up to 20% on resale — all abolished 28 Feb 2024 | 28 February 2024 (applies throughout 2026) |
| TTPS — Top Talent Pass Scheme TTPS continues with three eligibility categories; rolling applications with no published annual quota | Category A: annual income HK$2.5M+. Category B: degree from top-100 university with 3+ years experience. Category C: recent graduates (within 5 years) from top-100 universities. No annual quota cap. | — | Ongoing — TTPS continues in 2026 |
| Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) Annual quota suspended since October 2022 — no cap currently applies | No annual quota in effect. Quota was suspended in October 2022 and the suspension has continued. Applications processed on a rolling basis under points-based or achievement-based assessment. | 2,000/year then 4,000/year (pre-suspension) | Ongoing — no quota in 2026 |
| Public Healthcare — A&E Charge Hospital Authority A&E attendance fee — unchanged | HK$180 per attendance (for HKID holders) | HK$180 (increased from HK$100 in 2017) | Ongoing — no change in 2026 |
| Public Healthcare — General Out-patient and In-patient GOPC and in-patient charges — unchanged | GOPC consultation: HK$50 per attendance (eligible HKID holders). In-patient ward: HK$120/day (standard ward, covers almost all in-patient services). | HK$50 GOPC; HK$120/day in-patient (unchanged) | Ongoing — no change in 2026 |
| Kindergarten Education Scheme (KES) Free Quality Kindergarten Education Scheme provides per-student subsidies directly to schools; most half-day tuition is now effectively free | Government subsidy per student for 2025/26: HK$44,640/year (half-day); HK$63,720/year (full-day); HK$77,280/year (long full-day). School fee ceiling for 2025/26: HK$11,690/year (half-day); HK$30,390/year (full-day). Most half-day places are provided free or near-free to parents. | Old Pre-Primary Education Voucher Scheme (PEVS) replaced by KES | 2025/26 school year (September 2025) |
| CSSA — Standard Rate Comprehensive Social Security Assistance standard rates adjusted following periodic review | Approximately HK$2,060–4,280/month for single able-bodied adult (depending on circumstances). Check Social Welfare Department for exact current rates. | — | February 2026 (CSSA rates reviewed periodically) |
| iAM Smart — Digital Identity iAM Smart digital identity platform continues expanding to additional government and private sector services | iAM Smart+ supports legally binding digital signatures. Banks, utilities and insurers accepting iAM Smart login. Available for all HKID holders — register at iamsmart.gov.hk. | — | Ongoing — expanded in 2025-26 |
| eMPF Platform — Full Rollout eMPF Platform fully operational — all MPF scheme members can manage accounts on one platform | View, consolidate, and manage all MPF accounts at empf.mpfa.org.hk. E-Withdrawal for permanent departure available digitally. | — | Fully operational 2025-26 |
January Checklist
Actions to take each January when new rates take effect.
- 1
Download your MPF annual benefit statement from the eMPF Platform (empf.mpfa.org.hk) and review investment allocation.
- 2
Confirm your salaries tax provisional payment schedule with the IRD — provisional tax for 2025/26 is typically due January or April.
- 3
If your Employment Visa or TTPS has been renewed, check the new expiry date and set a reminder 6 months before it expires.
- 4
Review your private health insurance at renewal — compare VHIS-certified plans to claim the HK$8,000/year tax deduction.
- 5
If you employ a domestic helper, confirm the new Minimum Allowable Wage of HK$5,100/month applies to any contract signed after 30 September 2025.
- 6
Note the 2026-27 Budget one-off rebate of 100% salaries tax (capped at HK$3,000) for YA 2025/26 — this will apply automatically when your assessment is raised.
- 7
Plan for the 2026/27 allowance increases (personal HK$145k, married HK$290k, child HK$140k) from April 2026 income onwards.
- 8
Review QDAP/TVC contributions — the HK$60,000/year combined cap can save up to HK$9,000/year in salaries tax at the 15% standard rate.
- 9
Register for iAM Smart if you have not yet — enables access to eTax, Transport Department, and 100+ government services digitally.
- 10
Check if there are any changes to your work visa or dependent visa linked to your employer's status.
Where to Track Annual Changes
-
Hong Kong Budget — budget.gov.hk — annual Budget announcements (typically February)
-
Inland Revenue Department — ird.gov.hk — tax rates, allowances, and filing deadlines
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MPFA — mpfa.org.hk — MPF contribution limits and scheme updates
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Labour Department — labour.gov.hk — minimum wage and FDH Minimum Allowable Wage
-
Immigration Department — immd.gov.hk — TTPS, QMAS, and visa policy updates
-
Hospital Authority — ha.org.hk — healthcare fee schedules
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Education Bureau — edb.gov.hk — kindergarten scheme and school fee updates
-
Social Welfare Department — swd.gov.hk — CSSA and SSA rates
-
GovHK — gov.hk/en/residents — consolidated government services portal
All values are for the 2026 calendar year or 2025-26 Hong Kong tax year (1 April 2025–31 March 2026), unless stated. The 2026-27 Budget allowance increases (personal HK$145k etc.) apply from YA 2026/27 (income from 1 April 2026), subject to LegCo approval. Hong Kong imposes no capital gains tax, estate duty, or tax on dividends or interest income for individuals. Monitor ird.gov.hk for official confirmations.
Annual Changes
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