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Accounting firm PKF has predicted that the UK's HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will offer a second "amnesty" to those who owe tax on bank accounts overseas, and has suggested that this could undermine any incentive for tax evaders to volunteer their liabilities in future. HMRC is currently receiving the final payments from its first Offshore Disclosure Facility (ODF), which ended earlier this year. Those who volunteered under this scheme had to pay the tax owed, interest and a 10% penalty. The amnesty is expected to net the Treasury between GBP750 million and GBP1 billion in unpaid tax, but the final number of registrations remained small compared to the total number of people suspected of holding undeclared money in offshore accounts. Before the amnesty expired, HMRC sent out 200,000 letters warning that penalties would be "much higher than under the disclosure arrangements".
Hidden Airline Fees
We've come to expect certain extra charges when we fly, like paying for overweight bags. But travel experts say there are a bunch of new, obnoxious hidden fees...lurking where you least expect them. George Hobica is a travel journalist and runs the website airfarewatchdog.com. "When you're hit with a surprise fee, it can be really discouraging." He says a lot of the fees have to do with frequent flier miles. "You think those tickets are free. Well, they're really not. If you book under 22 days on an airline, you're going to pay up to $100, kind of as a penalty for not booking ahead." And if you decide not to take that trip, some airlines will charge another hundred bucks to re-bank your miles. Make sure you know the rules ahead of time.
High cost of staying safe Embattled fire district appeals state fines
The Avra Valley Fire District has filed an appeal of $366,000 in fines handed out this month by the Arizona Department of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH).The state’s industrial commission, which hears cases investigated by ADOSH, recently cited Avra Valley Fire District (AFVD) for dozens of safety infractions. The fines levied against the district almost equal the largest penalty ever dished out by the industrial commission.The fire district has moved to get many of the fines wiped out, citing a lack of money and the district’s efforts to fix certain problems."The district feels the citations and fines are overstated," said AVFD spokesman Paul Petersen.The district will meet with ADOSH officials on Oct. 30 to discuss the matter.The fire district runs on an annual budget of about $2.5 million.
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