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Kowloon Park arts fair to open

The Leisure & Cultural Services Department will launch a new phase of its Arts Fun Fair at Kowloon Park this Sunday.   It will have 16 stalls displaying and selling craftworks that feature fabric crafts, floral artworks and ornaments. Park-goers can also participate in art services such as painting and portrait sketching.   The fair will be open from 1pm to 7pm on Sundays and public holidays at the park's loggia until May 26 next year.   Visitors can enjoy the park’s beautiful scenery while appreciating a wide range of handicrafts and artworks.   The Arts Corner at Hong Kong Park is being held from noon to 6pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays until December 31.   The Arts Corner at Victoria Park welcomes applications from today until June 23 for operating stalls in the coming round of the fair.   For enquiries about the fair in Kowloon Park, call 2724 3344. For questions about Hong Kong Park and Victoria Park, call 2521 5041 or 2890 5824 respectively. http:

Stamp duty bill gazetted

The Stamp Duty (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2023 was gazetted today to implement a measure to trawl for talent as announced in the 2022 Policy Address.   It proposes a refund mechanism under the Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD) and New Residential Stamp Duty (NRSD) regimes for non-Hong Kong permanent residents who have entered Hong Kong under designated talent admission schemes.   Eligible incoming talent who acquired a residential property in Hong Kong on or after October 19, 2022 and subsequently become a Hong Kong permanent resident, can apply for a refund of the BSD and NRSD paid for that property which was his/her only residential property (save for replacing property) at the time of purchase and he/she still holds on the date of the refund application.   The Ad Valorem Stamp Duty at Scale 2 rates will still be payable such that the overall stamp duty charged will be on par with that levied on first-time home buyers who are permanent residents.   The aforesaid bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council on April 19 for first and second readings. The Inland Revenue Department will accept refund applications after the approval and gazettal of the new legislation.   The Government said the proposed refund mechanism can attract incoming talent to stay in Hong Kong for long-term development by substantially reducing their cost of property purchase.
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