Hong Kong SAR Government: A deficit of HK$19 billion was recorded in the first five months of this fiscal year.

On September 30, the Hong Kong SAR Government published the financial position for the first five months of the current financial year (i.e. up to August 31, 2026). Expenditure and revenue for the first five months of the current financial year were HK$311 billion and HK$249.2 billion respectively. After including HK$56.2 billion from the issuance of government bonds and HK$13.4 billion in principal repayments of government bonds, a deficit of HK$19 billion was recorded. The fiscal reserves stood at HK$646.5 billion as at August 31, 2026. A spokesman for the SAR Government said that the deficit up to August was mainly because major revenue items such as salaries tax and profits tax are mostly received in the latter part of the financial year.