THE CITY government is optimistic to collect its target revenues for the year despite the challenges brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.
This came about as the City Treasurer’s Office reported that as of September, the city government collected P8.2 billion pesos from local taxes, service income, business income, economic enterprise, other incomes, and share from the internal revenue allotment (IRA).
But, lawyer Lawrence Bantiding, CTO head, said that in order for the collections to be hit, his office and other revenue-generating have intensified “monitoring to ensure compliance to the necessary permits and to collect the taxes due to the city.”
The collection for the first three quarters was 80.27% of the P10.3 billion target for the year and was higher by P1,2 billion compared with the total collections last year. Of the collections, about P3.3 billion was from local taxes.
But the office is expecting a decline in local taxes due to the closure of businesses during the strict implementation of the protocols, particularly during the lockdown period.
The office has also intensified its information dissemination on the payment deadlines for taxes and other fees.
The implementation of Ordinance No. 0218-20, or the Tax Amnesty or Relief from Delinquent Real Property Tax, is also expected to boost the collection efforts. “We have already collected a total of P27,925,174.51 from delinquencies. This will contribute to our efforts to achieve our target,” Bantiding said.
This ordinance applies to penalties and interest on delinquent back taxes of real properties as of December 31, 2019, and prior years.
All accrued penalties and interest are condoned only upon settlement of the taxes within six months from the effectivity of the ordinance. Those who have delinquencies can avail of this relief until January 9, 2021.
Taxpayers may pay their business taxes and real property taxes by visiting the City Treasurer’s Office every weekday from 8 AM to 5 PM.
For business taxpayers, they may also pay online through the Landbank portal.
For details on the procedure, they can visit the City Government of Davao website at www.davaocity.gov.ph.
