Cebu biz sector urged to avail tax amnesty, extended to Dec.21

CEBU CITY – The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) strongly urged its members and non-members alike to avail the tax amnesty offered by the Cebu City government has moved or extended the deadline for payment of real property taxes (RPTs) and business taxes for fiscal year 2020 to December 21 this year.

CCCI told its members to grab this rarely given opportunity before its deadline.  “Amid the economic struggles faced by businesses this is an importance piece of legislation that will bring relief to business owners facing tax challenges,” CCCI said.

Special Officer of the Mayor for Finance and Treasury Atty. Jerone Castillo briefed the CCCI members on the salient points of the Cebu City Tax Amnesty Ordinance of 2019 in a webinar titled CCCI Tax Talks: Tax Amnesty Explained on November 23 via Zoom.

Castillo was all praises for CCCI for instigating the creation of the Tax Amnesty Ordinance and crossing parties to push for its passage.  “This is not a proposal of the City. This is an initiative of the CCCI in relation to the ease of doing business,” Castillo added.

Castillo explained that the Tax Amnesty grants amnesty on, and foregoes or waives the collection of unpaid interest, penalties and surcharges of all outstanding or unpaid local taxes including real property, business and community taxes in 2019 and previous years without penalty by Dec. 15, 2020 and with a fixed rate of 10 percent on all unpaid due and demandable real property, business, and community taxes, as well as other fees and charges after this date but within one-year from the effectivity of the ordinance.

“Because again of the request of the Chamber and upon our recommendation and this was also sponsored by Councilor Garcia, the deadline was extended to Dec. 21, 2020 for the benefit of the business on the instance of the Chamber,” Castillo added.

Castillo also suggested that the Chamber may lobby for further extension of the deadline in so far as to provide relief for taxpayers.  He also stated that taxpayers may visit the city hall for accurate assessment and computation and online application is also available. (Photo: CCCI)