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reprinted from:
Land departure tax would be 'heavy burden'
By No Kwai-Yan A proposed land departure tax would be a heavy burden on New Territories residents, rural representatives said yesterday. At the monthly Heung Yee Kuk meeting, a majority who spoke gave the thumbs down to the government proposal to tax commuters travelling to and from Lo Wu. "The high living standard in Hong Kong has forced many residents to move to Shenzhen. It will be difficult for them to bear a bigger burden if they have to pay an additional tax," said kuk vice-chairman Daniel Lam Wai-keung. Kuk member Ng Kam-chuen said the proposal was illogical. "Hong Kong is part of the mainland. Why is there a 'departure' tax?" Yip Wai-cheung said the Government should promote rather than discourage exchanges across the border. Cheung For-tai was worried parents whose children had to travel to and from Lo Wu every day to school would be greatly affected. Debate on the introduction of the new tax was revived last month after Financial Secretary Donald Tsang Yam-kuen began consultations with political parties on the next Budget. Secretary for Treasury Denise Yue Chung-yee has conceded the Government is studying
possible implementation of the proposed tax, which she said was a good way to raise
additional revenue. |
