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"The annual report has, for the first time, been published in bilingual mode and was released on November 11," Mr Wong said.
"Arrangement is now also being made to enable the public to obtain IR Forms on the Internet.
"And from next Monday (December 2), some IR Forms are obtainable through the new 'Fax on Demand' service."
IRD also introduced an optional "pay-as-you-earn" scheme for government pensioners on November 1. Deductions from monthly pay will be made by the Treasury in respect of those pensioners who join the scheme.
Before today's press conference, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Community Chest, Mr Darwin Chen, presented certificates of appreciation to 39 IRD staff members who have participated in the Community Assistance Raised by Employees (CARE) Scheme for more than three years.
IRD has supported various Community Chest activities and its staff members have made contributions of more than $1.3 million to the Community Chest during the past three years.
End
Preparation of new valuation lists
The Governor has directed the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation to prepare new valuation lists for the Urban Council and Regional Council areas and designated July 1, 1996 as the reference date for valuation purposes.
A notice of the direction was published in the Government Gazette today (Friday).
"This means that all properties included in the new valuation lists which will take effect on April 1, 1997 will be valued by reference to rental values at July 1, 1996," a spokesman for the Rating and Valuation Department said today.
Rateable values were last reviewed effective April 1, 1994 and are currently based on rental values at July 1, 1993.