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Stories that are tagged 'tax compliance'

Philippines Achieves Record Fiscal Surplus In April
5/24/2012
The government of the Philippines saw a record fiscal surplus in April 2012, due to continued double-digit growth in revenue collections which were more than enough to support accelerated public spending.
UK MPs Critical Of HMRC Compliance Activity
5/25/2012
Cutting staff numbers has cost HM Revenue and Customs GBP1.1bn (USD1.7bn) in revenue over the past five years, a group of UK lawmakers has said in a report that also chastises HMRC for allegedly encouraging the use of tax avoidance schemes by senior public sector employees.
IRS Plugs Small Businesses Tax Credits
5/25/2012
The United States Internal Revenue Service is encouraging small business owners to check out two tax credits and a special relief programme that could provide them with significant tax benefits during 2012.
France Extends Deadlines For Online Returns
5/23/2012
The French finance ministry has recently confirmed details of extended reporting deadlines for 2011 income tax returns submitted online.
NZ Tax Refunds Agents Under Scrutiny
5/23/2012
The practices of New Zealand's tax refund agents have come under the microscope, with the Commerce Commission warning that they may be failing to meet their obligations under the Fair Trading Act.
IRS Further Expands Its 'Fresh Start' Initiative
5/23/2012
The United States Internal Revenue Service has announced another expansion of its 'Fresh Start' initiative by offering more flexible terms under its Offer in Compromise programme.
Boehner Backs Anti-Saverin 'Ex-PATRIOT' Bill
5/23/2012
In a television interview, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives John Boehner has surprisingly come out in favour of the bill introduced in the Senate which is aimed against those who renounce their United States citizenship to avoid paying taxes.
IRS Told To Improve FATCA Plans
5/21/2012
The United States Government Accountability Office has disclosed that, as the implementation of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act should provide the Internal Revenue Service with a substantial amount of new information, Congress has asked for a review of how it plans to manage that information.
Congress Studies IRS's Treatment Of Charities
5/21/2012
The Oversight Subcommittee of the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee has held a hearing on current issues related to United States tax-exempt organizations, including the compliance initiatives of the Internal Revenue Service related, in particular, to recent efforts for tax-exempt organizations to design and implement good governance standards.
NZ Accountants Call For Simpler Small Business Tax
5/18/2012
New Zealand’s tax system has become overly complex, the country’s Institute of Chartered Accountants has said, calling for simplification of the rules for small businesses and setting out proposals for reform.
Monti Defends Italian Tax Collectors
5/18/2012
In his remarks during a meeting with the management of the Italian Revenue Agency and Equitalia (which collects the country’s taxes), the Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti emphasized that it had to be recognized that the payment of their taxes was everybody’s duty, before it could be possible to reduce the overall tax burden.
House Passes State Tax Simplification Bill
5/18/2012
The United States House of Representatives has passed, on a bipartisan basis with a voice vote, a bill which would simplify tax reporting requirements for those workers who are employed in multiple state jurisdictions.
IRS Non-Resident Reporting Rule Questioned Again
5/16/2012
The Treasury Department’s failure to provide sufficient answers about Internal Revenue Service regulations requiring United States banks to disclose interest paid to non-resident aliens has prompted the House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Charles Boustany to request additional information.
Australia To Clarify GAAR
5/16/2012
Australian Assistant Treasurer David Bradbury has announced the formation of an expert roundtable to assist with the implementation of the government's clarifications of the definition of 'tax benefit' under Australia's general anti-avoidance rule.
UK E-Seller Amnesty Deadline Looms
5/14/2012
HM Revenue and Customs has warned people trading on the internet and who may have tax irregularities that they now have just one month to take part in the e-sellers tax amnesty and avail of lower penalty rates.
IRS Whistleblower Programme Still Needs Improvement
5/14/2012
The whistleblower programme operated by the United States Internal Revenue Service has still not fully and adequately addressed internal problems that were identified several years ago, according to a report issued by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
Restrictions On Italian Private Tax Collectors Declared Illegal
5/11/2012
The Court of Justice of the European Union has decided the Italian provision that private operators should have a share capital of at least EUR10m in order to be entitled to collect local taxes is contrary to European law on freedom of establishment and freedom to provide services.
Hong Kong Still Sees Problems On Mainland Services
5/11/2012
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Gregory So, has replied to a question in the Legislative Council regarding the tax and procedural difficulties being experienced by the Hong Kong services sector in developing business in Mainland China.
Italy, Switzerland Agree To Tax Talks
5/11/2012
Following the recent positive developments with regard to the tax treaties between Switzerland and various European Union member states, a meeting held on May 9 between Swiss and Italian officials has agreed to the establishment of a working group to resolve the outstanding tax problems between their two countries.
HMRC Expands RTI Pilot
5/11/2012
HM Revenue and Customs has announced the addition of a further 310 employer schemes to its Real Time Information pilot, which launched last month.
US Congress Investigates Tax Fraud
5/10/2012
The House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee’s Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Charles Boustany and its Social Security Subcommittee Chairman Sam Johnson (pictured) have held a joint hearing on tax fraud involving identity theft in the United States.
Australian Budget Scraps Planned Business Tax Cuts
5/10/2012
A planned cut to business tax rates will not go ahead in Australia, as the government seeks to redirect projected mining tax revenue to help families and small businesses in the face of ongoing disputes with opposition parties.
NZ Improves Taxpayer Information Sharing
5/8/2012
New Zealand’s Inland Revenue and the Ministry of Social Development are set to expand their information sharing practices to include the automatic sharing of relevant taxpayer information.
Vale Suffers Setback In Brazilian Tax Fight
5/9/2012
The world's second largest mining company Vale SA, has announced that Brazil's highest judicial authority, the Superior Court of Justice, has stripped the company of an injunction it previously received which 'suspended the effects of the unfavourable rulings related to the taxation of its foreign subsidiaries' earnings'.
HMRC Issues Electrician Amnesty Reminder
5/7/2012
HM Revenue and Customs has issued a reminder warning electricians that they have only a limited time left to register for a tax amnesty scheme that would allow them to pay any undisclosed tax owed.
Spain Told To Amend Excise Duty Regime
5/4/2012
The European Commission has formally requested Spain to modify its rules on excise duties to bring them into line with European Union legislation.
IRS Reviews Tax-Exempt Status Revocations
5/7/2012
Following a request from the United States Internal Revenue Service, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration reviewed its Exempt Organizations function’s implementation of the provisions of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 related to the automatic revocation of an organization’s tax-exempt status.
Armenian, Latvian Tax Agencies Sign Cooperation Pact
5/4/2012
The tax authorities of Latvia and Armenia have agreed to cooperate more deeply on fiscal compliance issues, during a four-day meeting which culminated in the signing of a memorandum of understanding.
HMRC Increases Use Of Asset Seizure Powers
5/7/2012
The UK tax authority, HM Revenue and Customs is increasingly using its powers to seize businesses assets in order to recover unpaid value-added tax bills, new statistics show.
Irish Tax Debt Falls, Shadow Economy Targeted
5/4/2012
The latest annual report of the Irish tax authority, the Revenue Commissioners, shows 'solid performance in challenging circumstances', with enforcement efforts yielding an increase in tax receipts and a reduction in outstanding tax debt.
Uganda Advised To Widen Tax Base
5/2/2012
During a speech to an African Tax Administration Forum workshop in Kampala, the European Head of Mission Roberto Ridolfi has remarked that Uganda’s tax base needs to be widened urgently in order to increase the government’s revenues.
IRS Seeks Applications For Tax Assistance Grants
5/3/2012
The United States Internal Revenue Service is now accepting applications for the Tax Counselling for the Elderly and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance grant programmes, which will allow some organizations to apply for annual funding for up to three years.
Italy Hopes To Avoid Future VAT Increase
5/3/2012
In recognition of the need to reduce public expenditure as much as possible so as to contain taxpayer burdens, the Italian government has announced the framework of a spending review to be undertaken in the next month.
Further Attacks Launched On Italian Tax Evaders
5/1/2012
Following an announcement by the Italian financial police, Guardia di Finanza, that it has already uncovered substantial amounts of undeclared income in the first four months of 2012, the Italian Revenue Agency launched countrywide anti-evasion checks during the May Day holidays.
India Obtains TIE Relaxations From Switzerland
5/2/2012
According to a statement from the India’s Ministry of Finance, the Indian and Swiss governments have signed a protocol to their bilateral double taxation agreement, which will allow for a 'liberal interpretation' of the identity requirements before the exchange of information.
HMRC Warned Of RTI Impact On Small Firms
5/1/2012
The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group has said that the UK tax authority, HM Revenue and Customs, has underestimated the impact of Real Time Information on small employers.
Di Pietro Calls For Tax Treaty With Switzerland
5/1/2012
Antonio di Pietro, the former anti-corruption magistrate and present leader of the Italia dei Valori opposition party, has written in his blog that the Italian government should now be looking to garner the EUR40bn (USD53bn) in tax revenue that could be available by concluding a tax treaty with Switzerland.
Ireland, US In Talks Over FATCA
5/1/2012
Ireland and the United States are in talks to establish a common approach to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, drawing on domestic and international tax legislation and treaties.
Supreme Court Limits IRS In Tax Shelter Challenge
4/30/2012
The United States Supreme Court has rejected an attempt by the Internal Revenue Service to use a longer six-year cut-off period under the statute of limitations, rather than the usual three years, for its assessment of ‘Son of Boss’ tax shelter schemes.
Singapore Achieves Record 97% E-Filing Rate
4/25/2012
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore has pointed out how the city state’s taxpayers continued to enjoy the convenience of e-filing their tax returns before this year’s due date of April 18.
Italian Government Urged To Reduce Tax Burden
4/25/2012
While the Italian government has stressed that there will be no need for new taxes in a further budget this year, the Court of Auditors and the Bank of Italy, in their testimony to the Chamber of Deputies on the recently-issued 2012 Economic and Financial Document, have emphasized, instead, that tax burdens have to be reduced as soon as possible.
Netherlands Intensifies Efforts To Combat VAT Fraud
4/24/2012
Dutch State Secretary for Finance Frans Weekers has recently unveiled details of plans to give a new boost to the international fight against value-added tax fraud.
Vodafone Challenges Indian Tax Law
4/23/2012
The ongoing tax dispute between India and Vodafone has erupted again, with the telecoms company now serving a Notice of Dispute against the government's controversial new retrospective tax legislation.
South Africa Pushing For Tax Compliance By HNWIs
4/20/2012
In reply to a question in the National Assembly, South Africa’s Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan confirmed that the South African Revenue Service has taken steps to improve income tax compliance among high net worth individuals (HNWIs).
IRS Issues Final Non-Resident Reporting Rule
4/18/2012
The Treasury Department has issued the final regulations on the reporting to the Internal Revenue Service of interest paid to non-residents by United States banks from January 1, 2013.
Monti Produces Future Italian Fiscal Framework
4/18/2012
The government has agreed the draft of a law, to be subsequently approved by parliament, which would provide the framework for tax reform in Italy, but which, in fact, is more notable for what is does not, rather than for what it does, contain.
Spain's Rubalcaba Slams Tax Amnesty Plans
4/17/2012
Leader of Spain’s main opposition Socialist Party Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba has recently announced his party’s intention to contest the constitutionality of the government’s planned tax amnesty, to prevent implementation of the ruling People’s Party’s latest proposals.
Obama's Buffett Tax Fails To Pass Through US Senate
4/18/2012
Despite pressure from President Barack Obama, the Democrat Party-led United States Senate has been unable to advance his proposed ‘Buffett Rule’ tax measure in the face of Republican Party opposition.
Italy Delays Transaction Reporting For Banks
4/18/2012
The Italian Revenue Agency has delayed the obligation on banks and other financial institutions to identify transactions subject to value-added tax and of an amount over EUR3,600, that will have to be electronically reported to the tax authorities as part of the government’s efforts to increase tax compliance.
Spain Unveils Anti-Tax Fraud Plan
4/17/2012
Spain’s Council of Ministers has recently examined the government’s anti-fraud plan, aimed at combating the hidden economy and tax fraud, by setting limits on cash payments, and by obliging taxpayers to declare their accounts and assets located overseas.
IRS Has Backlog In Offers Of Compromise
4/16/2012
The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration has found that efforts by the United States Internal Revenue Service to promote the Offer in Compromise programme has increased the number of requested offers by 28% between 2007 and last year, but, at the same time, has created a backlog and delayed responses to taxpayers.
Antigua And Barbuda's Finances Back On Even Keel
4/13/2012
The International Monetary Fund has recently conducted three reviews of Antigua and Barbuda's performance under a financial assistance package negotiated in June 2010.
Commission Adopts Report Calling For New EU AML Directive
4/13/2012
In light of the adoption in February this year of revised international anti-money laundering standards by the Financial Action Task Force, and its own review process, a report on the application in the European Union of the Third Anti-Money Laundering Directive has been adopted by the European Commission.
Road Crash Deaths Increase On US Tax Filing Day
4/13/2012
A study, included in the current edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association, has found that road crash fatalities in the United States increase on the income tax deadline day laid down by the Internal Revenue Service.
Future Bright For Panama: IMF
4/13/2012
The International Monetary Fund has published its Article IV report in respect of Panama, noting that the country has exited the global downturn robustly, with a well-capitalised banking system, but efforts should continue to build upon the tax revenue base to reverse poor revenue performance witnessed last year.
Committee To Review Indian E-Refund Proposals
4/11/2012
A committee is to review India's e-refund system for the reimbursement of tax paid on taxable services used for the export of goods.
HMRC Could Investigate Apple's UK Tax Affairs
4/11/2012
Just days after it emerged that Amazon was under investigation by the UK taxman, Apple has come under fire for its payment of just GBP10m in UK corporate tax.
CIOT Expects UK-Swiss Tax Deal Re-Write
4/11/2012
Changes to the Swiss-German tax treaty could lead to higher charges for UK holders of undeclared Swiss bank accounts, the Chartered Institute of Taxation has warned.
AICPA Reinforces IRS Tips for Last Minute US Tax Filers
4/11/2012
As the deadline for filing 2011 individual income tax returns approaches, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants has provided a list of tips to help taxpayers with any last-minute uncertainties, while the United States Internal Revenue Service has explained the means by which tax payments can be made or delayed.
Philippines Sees Tax Revenues Surge Early In 2012
4/9/2012
Despite rising government spending, the Philippines saw a much reduced PHP5bn budgetary deficit in the first two months of 2012, with the Bureau of Internal Revenue achieving a significant rise in revenues.
Brazil Prepares Payroll Tax Cuts To Prop Up Economy
4/6/2012
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has announced a number of measures aimed at boosting economic growth in ailing sectors of the economy, including through payroll tax concessions.
UK, India Hold Economic And Financial Dialogue
4/6/2012
The UK and India have held their annual Economic and Financial Dialogue, discussing ways to strengthen cooperation and boost trade and investment.
OECD Issues New Peer Reviews
4/5/2012
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, publishing eleven new peer reviews, has said that the vast majority of territories which have been subject to critical assessments have implemented satisfactory legislative regimes that can facilitate the exchange of information on request.
IRS Advises Late Filers
4/6/2012
The United States Internal Revenue Service has reminded taxpayers that solutions are available if they are unable to file their returns on time, and that they can even request relief online.
South Korea, Italy Sign TIE Protocol
4/5/2012
A protocol to the existing double taxation agreement between South Korea and Italy was signed on April 3, and is expected to take effect in the first half of this year.
Philippines Targets Over USD930m From 100 Tax Cases
4/4/2012
At a press briefing at the Department of Justice, the Philippines’ Bureau of Internal Revenue confirmed that it has now filed a total of 100 cases under its Run After Tax Evaders scheme since the start of President Benigno Aquino’s government.
Singapore Introduces Added Tranche Of GST Compliance Initiative
4/4/2012
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore is providing a second SGD5m tranche of co-funding of the fees incurred by businesses registered for goods and services tax and undertaking the Assisted Compliance Assurance Programme.
Hong Kong Issues 2011-12 Tax Returns
4/4/2012
On April 2, Hong Kong’s Inland Revenue Department issued about 170,000 profits tax returns, 120,000 property tax returns and 220,000 employer's returns for the year of assessment 2011/12, and about 2.16m tax returns for individuals will be issued on May 2.
Singapore Eases Small Business Tax Compliance
4/3/2012
At the annual Budget Seminar organized by the Tax Academy of Singapore, Moses Lee, the Commissioner of Inland Revenue, has disclosed that the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore is to introduce a further simplification of tax filing for small companies.
Gordhan Reviews South African Tax Season
4/3/2012
South Africa’s Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, has disclosed the preliminary tax collection results of the South African Revenue Service for the 2011/12 fiscal year, and introduced its new five-year Compliance Programme.
IoM Outlines New Online Filing Requirements
4/2/2012
The Isle of Man government has released a new Practice Note, detailing the requirements being placed on employers following the decision to make mandatory the online filing of tax returns, on a transitional basis, from April 6, 2012.
Italy's Compliance Drive Paying Off
4/2/2012
An Italian Revenue Agency statement has illustrated the much improved results it achieved last year from its two-prong strategy of targeted tax compliance measures and more-efficient services for taxpayers.
Ireland Faces Household Charge Backlash
4/3/2012
Action against Ireland's household tax continues apace, with only 61% of liable households expected to pay the tax and over 5,000 people marching through the streets of the capital in protest.
New Zealand Closes Livestock Tax Loophole
3/30/2012
New Zealand has closed a loophole which allowed farmers to use two different livestock valuation methods to gain an unfair tax advantage.
ECJ Agrees Italian Tax Dispute Time Limitation
4/2/2012
The European Court of Justice has given its preliminary ruling that the conclusion without further examination of tax proceedings pending before the Italian Corte Suprema di Cassazione and Commissione Tributaria Centrale, which were brought more than 10 years ago, is compatible with European Union law.
Hong Kong Begins Islamic Bond Tax Consultation
3/30/2012
The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau has launched a two-month consultation on the proposed amendments to the Inland Revenue Ordinance and Stamp Duty Ordinance to promote the development of an Islamic bond, or 'sukuk', market in Hong Kong.
Guernsey Reports Strong Tax Amnesty Take-Up
3/29/2012
The Guernsey government has reported a significant uptake from taxpayers of its income tax irregularities amnesty launched in 2011.
France Lowers Administrative Burden For Businesses
3/23/2012
The French finance ministry has recently unveiled details of a series of measures, designed to reduce the administrative burden on businesses in France, within the framework of the law pertaining to the simplification and reduction of administrative procedures.
Australia's Class Rulings Regime Reviewed
3/22/2012
The Inspector-General of Taxation has published its review into the Australian Taxation Office's administration of class rulings, recognizing the benefits of the system but acknowledging areas for improvement.
UK Budget Delivers Tax Cuts
3/23/2012
George Osborne has delivered a Budget that ‘unashamedly backs business’, slashing the top rate of personal income tax and accelerating corporate tax cuts.
Peru To Boost Tax Take
3/22/2012
Peru's Finance Minister Luis Miguel Castilla has announced that Peruvian authorities are to target non-compliant taxpayers, aiming to boost the tax take by 2.5% of gross domestic product within a four-year period, whilst maintaining tax rates.
Italy Boasts New Weapon In War On Evasion
3/22/2012
The Italian Revenue Agency’s Director, Attilio Befera, has announced that its new, revamped ‘redditometro’ – the computer data system which compares taxpayers’ income declarations with their spending habits – is now expected to be fully operational by June this year.
UK Court Winds Up 'Tax Umbrella' Services Firm
3/20/2012
Reed Umbrella Ltd, which serviced a discredited 'tax umbrella' scheme for the self-employed, has been wound up in the UK High Court in the public interest following an investigation by Company Investigations, part of The UK Insolvency Service.
South Africa Tightens Share Anti-Avoidance Provisions
3/19/2012
Within the recently-issued Taxation Laws Amendment Bill, which legislates for the measures introduced in South Africa’s 2012-13 Budget, it has been disclosed that technical corrections have been made to the third-party-backed preference share anti-avoidance provisions.
Indian Budget Signals Further Reform Delays
3/20/2012
India’s 2012 Budget has been unveiled, including a raft of tax measures designed to signal progress in the implementation of a direct tax code and a goods and services tax regime.
UK Launches E-Sellers Tax Amnesty
3/19/2012
The UK tax authority, HM Revenue and Customs, has launched another tax amnesty scheme, this time targeting online marketplace sellers.
Thailand Shelves VAT Hike
3/16/2012
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong has said that the government has no intention of increasing the country’s value added tax rate.
GOP Further Pressures IRS On Donation Investigations
3/19/2012
Twelve Republican Senators have written to the United States Internal Revenue Service further questioning the recent selective enforcement on tax-exempt organizations, and urging that it prevents politics from playing a role in any action it takes.
US Senate Passes Highways Tax Bill
3/16/2012
On March 14, the United States Senate passed, on a bipartisan basis, a bill to provide for an extension of highway-related taxes and the funding of infrastructural spending by the Federal Highway Trust Fund, which included an anti-tax haven amendment.
NZ Extends Filing Deadline For Earthquake Victims
3/13/2012
New Zealand's government has further extended relief measures for earthquake victims, providing extra time to prepare and file tax returns.
Deputy PM Backs UK 'Tycoon Tax'
3/13/2012
The UK's Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has voiced his support for a 'tycoon tax', with a minimum tax rate enshrined in legislation to make sure everyone pays a 'fair share'.
UK Fiscal Watchdog Praises HMRC Compliance Efforts
3/13/2012
HM Revenue and Customs secured an additional GBP4.32bn (USD6.77bn) tax yield over the past five years thanks to a major tax evasion initiative, according to figures from the National Audit Office, which also found that HMRC had successfully reduced staff numbers and introduced a range of improvements in its compliance work.
HMRC Issues UK Amnesty Deadline Reminder
3/12/2012
HM Revenue and Customs has issued a reminder to tutors and coaches that they have less than a month left to take advantage of a tax amnesty scheme.
US Lawmakers Mull Small Business Tax Reforms
3/13/2012
The House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means has held a hearing to examine how the United States tax code affects closely-held businesses, and how and under which sets of rules such firms should be taxed within any future tax reform.
US Highways Bill Takes Aim At Tax Havens
3/13/2012
The Democrat-led Senate has adopted an amendment, which would provide a range of further measures for the Treasury Department to take against foreign governments and financial institutions that 'significantly impede United States tax enforcement', to the bill to provide for an extension of the United States highway-related taxes.
Sarkozy's 'Minimum Tax' To Hit 100 French Companies
3/13/2012
Around a hundred large groups would be affected by French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s latest plans to introduce a minimum tax on the profits of large international companies, according to his campaign spokesman and former Ecology Minister Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet.
US Court Closes Employee Insurance Benefit Tax Scheme
3/12/2012
The United States Justice Department has announced that a federal court has permanently barred the operation of an alleged scheme that helps high-income individuals attempt to avoid income taxes by funnelling money through purported "welfare benefit plans”.
Jersey Reports Record Tax Compliance Figures
3/9/2012
Jersey’s Tax Office has reported an all-time high tax collection rate of 99.6% for 2011, markedly higher than that of the United Kingdom last year, which recorded a rate of around 96%.
Vale Posts Brazilian Back Tax Case Collateral
3/12/2012
Vale, the world's second largest mining company, has clarified that despite being required to pay USD915m in judicial deposits, it remains confident of a favourable ruling in the tax case with Brazilian authorities over back taxes, worth BRL25bn (USD13.9bn) as it continues to pursue all legal avenues.
Philippines Rejects IMF Call For New Taxes
3/9/2012
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda has confirmed that, contrary to suggestions by the International Monetary Fund, the Philippines will not be introducing any new taxes in the near future.

 

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