{"text":[[{"start":9.56,"text":"Trading firms such as Jane Street and Citadel Securities may be included in reforms being considered by Hong Kong that are set to trigger “big bang” tax cuts for asset managers."}],[{"start":21.16,"text":"The changes come amid a battle for top-tier financial talent between cities such as Singapore, New York, Miami and Hong Kong. They also mark the Chinese territory’s attempt to boost its global attractiveness as a financial hub after years of stagnation."}],[{"start":37.2,"text":"Hong Kong authorities are considering amending proposed legislation so that staff of proprietary trading firms do not incur tax on performance-related pay, two people familiar with the process said."}],[{"start":48.36,"text":"They said officials could also simply issue “guidance” to clarify that traders qualify for the tax break, rather than make a late amendment to the bill now before the legislative council. It was possible that not all proprietary trading firms would benefit, they added."}],[{"start":63,"text":"The bill was introduced in June with the aim of “attracting more funds and family offices to establish a presence in Hong Kong”."}],[{"start":70.44,"text":"This prompted Singapore to consider its own tax cuts as it sought to remain competitive with Hong Kong amid fears that some portfolio managers could relocate."}],[{"start":79,"text":"Proprietary trading groups such as Jane Street and Citadel Securities — which deploy their own capital or that of employees rather than managing money on behalf of pension plans, governments or wealthy individuals — are the emerging giants of Wall Street."}],[{"start":92.8,"text":"Hong Kong is proposing allowing profits from a wider range of investments to be taxed as carried interest, rather than just private equity transactions."}],[{"start":101.24,"text":"Law firm Charltons clarified in a note that “carried interest is not a discretionary bonus but a contractual share of a fund’s profits that is linked to the fund’s investment performance”."}],[{"start":111.2,"text":"The broader tax overhaul would mean managers of hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, private credit and even family offices could structure themselves to reduce further their already low Hong Kong tax bills."}],[{"start":123.44,"text":"The changes have the potential to be a “big bang of tax reforms”, one person familiar with the proposals previously told the FT."}],[{"start":130.36,"text":"The proposal comes at a time when Hong Kong is recovering from a prolonged slump in dealmaking triggered by democracy protests and the Covid-19 pandemic. The territory’s IPO market has been reignited by a surge of listings by Chinese companies including CATL and Zhongji Innolight and the return of many expats."}],[{"start":150.68,"text":"Much of the capital pouring into the territory is Chinese, via the stock connect that links Hong Kong with mainland investors through Shanghai and Shenzhen."}],[{"start":159.52,"text":"Hong Kong’s financial industry is crucial as it generates a significant proportion of the tax revenue in a city where income tax rates are far lower than in the West."}],[{"start":169.52,"text":"Last year Jane Street made a high-profile commitment to Hong Kong by paying $4mn a month to lease six floors of a new harbourside development. Citadel Securities, Ken Griffin’s market maker, is also reportedly expanding in Hong Kong as it develops new business lines."}],[{"start":185.96,"text":"“The scope of the proposed enhanced tax concessions for funds and carried interest is not confined to particular types of funds or asset managers. Rather, eligibility is dependent on whether the relevant conditions and requirements are met,” Hong Kong’s Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau told the FT when asked about the tax overhaul."}],[{"start":205.44,"text":"“Where necessary, administrative guidance may be issued at an appropriate time to provide clarification and elaboration on matters relating to the implementation of the concessions, interpretation of key concepts and operational requirements.”"}],[{"start":221.44,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1786427352_1593.mp3"}