# Policy Address 2026: Family Office Measures to Watch

> The 2026 Policy Address is due this month. Based on the CIES cut and the family office policy trajectory, three measures to watch — updated within 48 hours.

URL: https://www.china-family-office.com/en/articles/education-research/policy-address-2026-family-office-preview/

Published: 2026-09-01 · by China Family Office Research Team

This article is a pre-delivery outlook on the 2026 Policy Address, which is due this month. the 2026 Policy Address is due this month. Based on published policy trajectories, this article outlines three family office directions worth watching — this page commits to updating into a clause-by-clause analysis within 48 hours of delivery, with a refreshed date.

> This is a pre-delivery outlook based on published policies and data only. Within 48 hours of the Address, this page will be updated into a full analysis with a re-verified date.

## Direction 1: Finer tax and review mechanisms

The trajectory is clear: the 2025 Policy Address cut the CIES residential threshold from HK$50 million to HK$30 million while tightening vetting. For 2026, watch the supporting machinery — InvestHK’s FamilyOfficeHK sourcing targets and whether tax exemption application and review processes become smoother. With 3,380+ single family offices (InvestHK / Deloitte), the policy focus is shifting from quantity to quality and compliance.

## Direction 2: Policy steering on philanthropy

Family office philanthropy is becoming part of the policy narrative: the government encourages family offices to contribute through charity, and international SDG programmes plus community events (such as the 4,000-person Tai Chi world record) have created demonstrable momentum. Watch for charitable tax facilitation or a social-impact framework — this would directly shape how families structure philanthropy.

## Direction 3: GBA connectivity and cross-border arrangements

Hong Kong is the only international centre bridging mainland capital and common law; its cross-border wealth is projected to grow 9% a year from 2025 to 2030, first globally (BCG, 2026). Calls to expand the Cross-boundary Wealth Management Connect pilot continue — further quota or participant expansion would profoundly affect cross-border family structures.

## What to watch in each direction

| Direction | Published basis | Signals to watch |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tax & vetting | CIES cut to HK$30m | Smoother exemptions, review mechanism |
| Philanthropy | SDG programme momentum | Charitable tax facilitation |
| GBA connectivity | WMC pilot | Quota and participant expansion |

## Key industry data

Hong Kong books about US$2.5 trillion of cross-border wealth, overtaking Switzerland in 2026 (BCG, 2026).

Cross-border wealth in Hong Kong is projected to grow 9% a year from 2025 to 2030, first globally (BCG, 2026).

The 2025 Policy Address cut the CIES residential threshold from HK$50 million to HK$30 million.

Hong Kong hosted 3,380+ single family offices by end-2025 (InvestHK / Deloitte).

Hong Kong’s overtaking of Switzerland drew 600+ global media reports (BCG, 2026).

## FAQ

### How often does the Policy Address update family office policy?

The Address is delivered every September; family office measures are usually deepened in alternate years. China Family Office updates this page within 48 hours of delivery.

### How should families prepare?

Keep structures flexible: monitor CIES and tax exemption wording, leave room to adjust, and consult professional advisers when material changes occur.

## Further reading

For the 2025 measures, see [the CIES threshold analysis](/articles/education-research/policy-address-2025-cies-property-threshold/); for jurisdiction choice, see [the Hong Kong vs Singapore comparison](/articles/compare/hong-kong-vs-singapore-family-office-2026/); and see the [FAQ](/faq/).

## References

- [HK Government News](https://www.info.gov.hk)
- [InvestHK FamilyOfficeHK](https://www.familyofficehk.gov.hk)
- [Boston Consulting Group](https://www.bcg.com)

## Three numbers to remember

Whatever the Address says, three thresholds anchor family office planning in Hong Kong: the CIES residential investment threshold of HK$30 million; the Schedule 16E safe harbour of HK$240 million in assets under management for the 0% tax concession; and the 13O threshold of S$20 million on the Singapore side. Changes to any of these would move family office economics materially.

## What this means for members

Members should read the Address against their own structures: does anything change CIES eligibility, tax exemption wording, or cross-border arrangements? The Institute will publish the 48-hour analysis here and walk through member implications at the next member briefing — bring specific structure questions.

Families with Hong Kong structures should also pre-draft two questions for their advisers: what happens to our CIES application if thresholds change, and does any new wording affect our tax exemption position?

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