Relieving People’s Hardship

Stepping up Anti-epidemic Efforts

$22 billion for strengthening testing work and providing additional support for the Hospital Authority
$7 billion for procuring anti-epidemic items and services and implement anti-epidemic measures
$6 billion for procuring more vaccines
$500 million for enhancing environmental hygiene services
$12 billion for the construction of anti-epidemic related facilities
$20 billion earmarked for other potential anti-epidemic needs

Issue $10,000 electronic consumption vouchers to each eligible Hong Kong permanent resident and new arrival aged 18 or above
Previously registered persons: $5,000 consumption vouchers will be issued in April, remaining $5,000 vouchers will be issued in mid-year by instalment
Newly eligible persons: after successful registration, $10,000 vouchers will be issued in mid-year by instalment

Ease the burden of renting a private property on taxpayers liable to salaries tax and tax under personal assessment who are not owners of domestic properties
Subject to a deduction ceiling of $100,000 for a year of assessment from the year of assessment 2022/23

Extend the application period to end April 2023
Increase the maximum loan amount to nine times of the applicant’s average monthly income during employment, and raise the ceiling to $100,000
Extend the maximum repayment period to 10 years, and the maximum duration of principal moratorium to 18 months

Lower the threshold for the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme to $200 for half a year (May to October)
Reduce salaries tax and tax under personal assessment for the year of assessment 2021/22 by 100%, subject to a ceiling of $10,000
Provide rates concession for domestic properties for 2022/23, subject to a ceiling of $1,500 per quarter in the first two quarters and a ceiling of $1,000 per quarter in the remaining two quarters
Grant each eligible residential electricity account a subsidy of $1,000
Provide an extra half-month allowance of standard CSSA payments, Old Age Allowance, Old Age Living Allowance or Disability Allowance. Similar arrangements will apply to Working Family Allowance
Pay examination fees for school candidates sitting for the 2023 HKDSE Examination
Strengthen support for e-learning of students from grassroots families through the $2 billion set aside in the Quality Education Fund
Create 30 000 time-limited jobs through the $6.6 billion earmarked in AEF