The city government has offered more tax remedies to help the business sector cope with losses during the coronavirus pandemic.
Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, city council committee on finance, ways and means, said the city council approved three measures to help businesses in order for them to cope with the impact of the pandemic.
“The city council is ready and very open to helping the business owners by passing ordinances that would give them more time to settle their taxes considering the situation in the city,” Dayanghirang said on Tuesday.
Passed on July 7, first of the three ordinances is Ordinance No. 0304-20 or the ordinance granting a three-month extension on the deadline of payment for the third quarterly installment for Real Property Tax and additional levy on real property for the Special Education Fund (SEF).
With this ordinance, taxpayers are given until December 31 to pay the third quarterly installment of their RPT originally due on September 30.
“According to the Ordinance, both the 3rd and 4th installment of the RPT shall be due on December 31, 2020, and no interest shall be imposed for the 3rd installment if paid within the extended deadline. A discount of 10 percent for prompt payment to the taxpayer if one chose to pay on time will also be given,” said lawyer Lawrence Bantiding, head of the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO).
The city government also gave tax amnesty or relief to delinquent RPT payers through Ordinance No. 0218-20.
“This shall apply to assessed penalties and interest on delinquent back taxes relating to real properties as of December 31, 2019, and prior years. All accrued penalties and interest shall be condoned only upon settlement of RPT within 6 months from the effectivity of Ordinance,” Bantiding said.
To also further assist vendors of city-owned public markets, the city council approved Ordinance no. 0305-20 or the ordinance granting a 60 percent reduction on the rental fees of stalls or booths that are open from April 1 to June 30, 2020.
