WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1935
23
PHASING IN OF NT GENERAL RATE
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THE LEGISLATIVE OUNCIL TODAY APPROVED A MOTION TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE GENERAL RATE PERCENTAGE CHARGES FOR THE RATING AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
MOVING THE MOTION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRICGE, SAID, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ESTABLISHED POLICY, THE FULL GENERAL RÁTE CHARGE FOR NEWLY ASSESSED AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WAS PHASED IN OVER A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS.
IN THE FIRST YEAR OF ASSESSMENT THE ACTUAL CHARGE APPLIED WAS 50 PER CENT OF THE FULL CHARGE, IN THE SECOND 60 PER CENT, AND SO ON UNTIL THE FULL CHARGE WAS LEVIED IN THE SIXTH YEAR.
SIR JOHN SAID THE FULL GENERAL RATE CHARGE OF 5.5 PER CENT ALREADY APPLIED TO ALL BUT FOUR RATING AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN 1985-86 THESE FOUR AREAS (AREAS P, Q, R AND S COMPRISING CHEUNG CHAU, PENG CHAU, LANTAU AND MA WAN, AND LAMMA ISLANDS) WOULD BE IN THEIR SIXTH YEAR OF ASSESSMENT: THE FULL CHARGE OF 5.5 PER CENT SHOULD THEREFORE BE APPLIED TO THEM.
THE PERCENTAGE CHARGES FOR THE OTHER RATING AREAS WOULD REMAIN UNCHANGED AT THIS YEAR'S LEVEL, SIR JOHN SAID.
+ IN ORDER THAT THE PERCENTAGE CHARGES FOR APRIL 1, 1985 ONWARDS MAY TAKE EFFECT, A RESOLUTION IS REQUIRED UNDER SECTION 18 (1) OF THE RATING ORDINANCE, WHICH IS THE SOLE OBJECT OF THIS MOTION, HE ADDED.
UNOFFICIALS BACK EXPANSION OF TAX REVIEW BOARD
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THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985 WOULD HOPEFULLY EXPEDITE THE LARGE BACK-LOG OF OUTSTANDING CASES BEFORE THE BOARD OF REVIEW, THE HON PETER POON SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, MR POON SAID THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DEPUTY CHAIRMEN ON THE BOARD FROM TWO TO SIX AND THE MAXIMUM SIZE OF THE PANEL FROM 75 TO 100 MEMBERS WOULD RESULT IN THE EARLIER SETTLEMENT OF REVIEW CASES.
+EARLIER SETTLEMENT OF SUCH CASES, AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE USUALLY DECIDED IN FAVOUR OF THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT, WILL MEAN QUICKER COLLECTION OF REVENUE FROM TAX UNDER DISPUTE, HE SAID.
/AS THE