Bern, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Unemployment benefits in canton Vaud for jobless workers over age 30 will be extended from 400 to 520 days in canton Vaud, from 1 December 2009 to 31 May 2010, the federal goverenment announced Wednesday morning 11 November. The relatively high unemployment rate in the canton and the risk of long-term unemployment for older workers, coupled with a rate over 5 percent for six months has prompted Bern to step in. The canton will pay 20 percent of the cost.

Update 2 15:45 The IRS will extend the 23 September deadline,”a one-time extension of the deadline for special voluntary disclosures by taxpayers with unreported income from hidden offshore accounts. These taxpayers now have until Oct. 15, 2009″, the US tax agency announced 21 September.

The IRS announced Monday 21 September that it is pushing back its amnesty deadline for overseas US citizens and greencard holders to file some forms late. The complete announcement:

The Internal Revenue Service today announced a one-time extension of the deadline for special voluntary disclosures by taxpayers with unreported income from hidden offshore accounts. These taxpayers now have until Oct. 15, 2009.

Under special provisions issued in March, taxpayers with these hidden accounts originally had until Sept. 23, 2009 to come forward. Those taxpayers who do not voluntarily disclose their hidden accounts by the new deadline face much harsher civil penalties, where applicable, and possible criminal prosecution.

IRS officials decided to extend this deadline after receiving repeated requests from tax practitioners and attorneys around the country following an influx of taxpayer requests. By extending the deadline for a short period of time, the IRS is providing relief for those taxpayers who had intended to come forward prior to the deadline, but faced logistical and administrative challenges in meeting it. The extension will allow tax preparers and attorneys the necessary time to interview and advise their backlog of taxpayers with these hidden accounts, and prepare the necessary paperwork to qualify for the special penalty provisions.

The IRS also announced that there will be no further extensions.