Non-receipt of the demand note does not alter the requirement that the rates must be paid on or before January 31, 1997 and unless so paid, ratepayers may be subject to a surcharge of 5% under Section 22 of the Rating Ordinance. A further surcharge of 10% may be levied on the outstanding amount (including the 5% surcharge) which remains unpaid six months after the due date.
Ratepayers who have submitted a valid direct debit authorization should note that payment should still be made by other means as stipulated in the demand note unless the wording 'PAYMENT TO BE MADE BY AUTOPAY' is shown on the demand note in which case their payment of rates will be made by direct debit to their bank accounts on 31 January 1997. In this connection, ratepayers should ensure that their bank accounts contain the necessary funds on that date.
To avoid queuing, ratepayers are urged to settle payment by autopay under which ratepayers' bank accounts will only be debited on rates due dates or by the Payment by Phone Service (PPS). Application forms for autopay are obtainable from Treasury Collection Offices, District Offices and all major banks in Hong Kong or by telephoning 2881 1033. For additional information regarding PPS, please call 9000 0222 329.
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Over 400 blankets distributed to street sleepers
Staff of the Social Welfare Department last (Sunday) night distributed a total of 440 blankets to street sleepers in a territory-wide operation during the cold weather.
Of the total, 190 were distributed in West Kowloon, 21 in East Kowloon, 156 on Hong Kong Island, 53 in New Territories East and 20 in New Territories West.
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