Unlike, workplace schemes, you will need to claim tax relief on personal pensions yourself.

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Bacon, in a CNN interview before the show, asked fans to donate to the Haitian relief through his personal Web site.

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If unresponsiveness in Cadillac's CUE infotainment system has been a personal point of frustration, relief is on the way: an update to smooth things over is being worked on.

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Any investments you make into a personal pension are eligible for tax relief at your highest rate of tax, subject to limits.

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What this means is that, as part of this relief, employees may donate their vacation, sick or personal leave in exchange for employer cash payments made to qualified tax-exempt organizations providing relief for the victims of Hurricane Sandy .

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But do put in details of personal pension payments to ensure you get tax relief.

BBC: John Whiting, tax partner, Pricewaterhouse Coopers

Even more irritating, to some, are the recent increase in the top rate of personal-income tax, adjustments to tax relief on pension contributions and a one-off 50% tax on bonuses.

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When providing personal information, verify the legitimacy of the Japan relief recipient or other nonprofit agency.

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On the personal level, I was hoping to find some relief for my ailing right shoulder, which I bashed badly decades ago as a seaman, second class, in the U.S. Navy.

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Now diplomats probably will be breathing a sigh of relief that at least Chancellor Merkel has good personal chemistry with Mr Bush.

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