Increase in the specified rates for preferential home loans and other loans
An employee in receipt of a preferential loan is charged income tax on the difference between the interest actually paid and the amount which would have been payable at the “specified” rates of interest for the loans. To reflect changes in interest rates, the specified rate in respect of loans (other than home loans which remain at 5.5%) is being increased from 13% to 15% from 1 January 2009.