Taxpayers are unlikely to be granted any major concessions in tomorrow's budget, despite an upswing in the economy.
Financial Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen will deliver the first account of Hong Kong public finances in the post-Tung era.
Sources said Mr Tang was unlikely to introduce drastic measures while the economy was still recovering.
'It will be a budget without surprise,' a source said.
A sales tax remains on the cards, but no decision will be made on its possible implementation.
Liberal Party leader James Tien Pei-chun said Mr Tang could take the opportunity to revise the target of balancing the budget from 2008-09 to 2006-07. It is believed the budget is already in surplus.
'The government likes to adopt 'cry wolf' tactics and portray a very bad picture,' he said.
