Rates and Government rent for July to September 2003 due

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Demand notes for rates and Government rent for the quarter from July to September 2003 have been issued, and payment should be made by July 31, 2003.

A spokesman for the Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) said: "The demand notes reflect Government's decision to give a concession in rates payments for that quarter. The concession is subject to a ceiling of $1,250 for each domestic tenement and $5,000 for each non-domestic tenement."

If demand notes have not been received, payers may bring along the demand notes for any previous quarter to any of the following post offices, where replacement demand notes may be obtained and payment can be conveniently made:

(1) General Post Office, 2 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong;

(2) Gloucester Road Post Office, 1/F, Revenue Tower, 5 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong;

(3) Kowloon Central Post Office, G/F, Kowloon Government Offices, 405 Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon;

(4) Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, G/F & 1/F, Hermes House, 10 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.

Payments can be made by using autopay, Payment by Phone Service (PPS), Bank Automated Teller Machine (ATM), Internet, or by post addressed to the Director of Accounting Services, P.O. Box No. 28000, Gloucester Road Post Office, Hong Kong, or in person at the post offices (except mobile post offices). For enquiry of the address and opening hours of the post offices, please call Hongkong Post's enquiry hotline on 2921 2222 or visit their web site: www.hongkongpost.com.

If there are no demand notes for any previous quarter, payers may make inquiry by telephone (2152 2152) or by fax (2152 0113). They may also inquire in person at the Rating and Valuation Department, 13/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon.

A surcharge of 5% will be imposed for late payment and a further surcharge of 10% may be levied on the outstanding amount (including the 5% surcharge) which remains unpaid six months after the last day for payment.

End/Sunday, July 6, 2003

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