WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1979
OBJECTIONS TO PROPERTY TAX DEADLINE
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THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THEY SHOULD LODGE THEIR OBJECTIONS TO PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS WITHIN ONE MONTH AFTER THE DATE OF THE NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT.
THE TIME LIMIT ON CLAIMS FOR PROPERTY TAX REFUND IS 90 DAYS AFTER THE END OF THE RELEVANT YEAR OF ASSESSMENT OR AFTER THE NOTICE TO PROPERTY TAX IS GIVEN, WHICHEVER IS THE LATER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID OBJECTIONS AND CLAIMS IN CONNECTION WITH OWNER-OCCUPIED PROPERTY AND UNOCCUPIED PREMISES SHOULD BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE TIME LIMIT WILL BE EXTENDED IF THE COMMISSIONER IS SATISFIED THAT, OWING TO ABSENCE FROM HONG KONG, SICKNESS OR OTHER REASONABLE CAUSES, THE PEOPLE OBJECTING TO ASSESSMENTS AND CLAIMING FOR REFUNDS WERE PREVENTED FROM DOING SO WITHIN THE SPECIFIED TIME.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID VACANCY CLAIMS CAN ALWAYS BE MADE WITHOUT SUPPORTING EVIDENCE TO MEET THE TIME LIMIT, BUT PROPERTY OWNERS, AGENTS AND OCCUPIERS OF DOMESTIC FLATS SHOULD BE PREPARED TO FORWARD SUCH EVIDENCE AS ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER BILLS TO SUPPORT THEIR CLAIMS.
FOR NON-DOMESTIC PREMISES, HE SAID, THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT WOULD ISSUE VACANCY CERTIFICATES IN ALL APPROPRIATE CASES AND THESE FORMS MUST BE PRODUCED TO SUPPORT CLAIMS FOR PROPERTY TAX REFUND IN RESPECT OF VACANCY CLAIMS ON NON-DOMESTIC PREMISES.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO CONTACT THE ASSESSOR (PROPERTY TAX) OF THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT AT 5-761635, EXTENSIONS 31 TO 36, OR WRITE TO THE DEPARTMENT, G.P.O. BOX 132, HONG KONG.
ADVICE, IN PERSON, IS ALSO OBTAINABLE FROM INLAND REVENUE OFFICES AT THE WORLD TRADE CENTRE, 20TH FLOOR, 280 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG 664 NATHAN ROAD, FIRST FLOOR, REAR PORTION, KOWLOON AND ON YUE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 132 TSUEN WAN MARKET STREET, NE TERRITORIES.