New GET deadlines are in effect

The state Department of Taxation is reminding taxpayers new general excise tax filing and payment deadlines for periodic returns begin with returns filed for last month.

The deadline for island businesses to file and pay their monthly, quarterly or semiannual GET returns had been the last day of the calendar month following the close of the tax period. But under a law signed last year, the new deadline is the 20th day of the calendar month following the close of the tax period.

The change could have applied to returns and payments due after last May.

But Tax Director Kurt Kawafuchi said this week that implementation was postponed until this year to allow Hawaii taxpayers more time to transition to the new deadlines.

Geithner upbeat on economy

WASHINGTON » Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said the United States has a low risk of a double-dip recession.

Geithner told ABC News in an interview that will air tomorrow on “;This Week”; that the United States is at a lower risk “;than at any time over the last 12 months or so.”;

He said the economy is growing at the most rapid rate in six years during the last quarter of the year. And he believes the country is in “;the process of healing.”;

The Dow finished slightly up yesterday after falling 268 points on growing worries about the global economy the previous day.

Judge stops firm from moving jobs

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. » A judge in Connecticut has sided with a Machinists union in its legal fight to block jet engine maker Pratt & Whitney from moving 1,000 jobs out of the state.

U.S. District Judge Janet Hall issued a permanent injunction yesterday, stopping the company's plans to shift the jobs to Columbus, Ga., Japan and Singapore.

The union, which represents 3,700 workers, sued to block the subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. from moving the jobs elsewhere. It accused Pratt & Whitney of failing to comply with the contract that required it to do everything possible to preserve the jobs.

Executives testified in court they had no alternative but to shut two Connecticut plants. They insisted they followed the contract. Spokesman Greg Brostowicz said the East Hartford-based company is considering an appeal.

On the move

» Century 21 of Hawaii, Oahu offices, announced the following for December: Charmaine Quilit Poki from Century 21 Realty Specialists is the top sales associate and top listing associate. Randy Prothero from Century 21 Liberty Homes is the top sales associate, and Leona E. Soto, the top listing associate.

» The YMCA of Honolulu has promoted Troy Tomita to executive director of the YMCA Central Branch from assistant director of Central YMCA. Prior to working full time at YMCA, Tomita worked in Osaka, Japan, implementing curriculum in the areas of aquatics, youth sports, preschool programs, outdoor education and English language.

» Kuakini Health Systems has hired Suzanne Doran as manager of the Quality and Patient Outcomes office. She has 20 years of health care experience and was previously a medical staff quality supervisor at Scripps Health System in San Diego.