MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso declared General Tax Amnesty to delinquent business and real property taxes, as well as traffic violations in the city of Manila from Oct. 1 until Dec. 29, 2021.
This came after Domagoso signed Ordinance No. 87333 on Thursday, Sept. 23, granting a general tax amnesty program in the nation’s capital.
According to Domagoso, the ordinance was signed in a bid to help alleviate some of the city’s taxpayers’ financial burden and help businesses recover amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“This situation (COVID-19 pandemic) makes it difficult for taxpayers to settle their obligations with the city. As a consequence, these unpaid impositions have incurred surcharge and penalty interests,” Domagoso said.
Under the ordinance, tax amnesty shall be granted to the following:
1. Persons who own, operate or are engaged in any business enterprise within the City of Manila
2. Persons who own or administer real property declared for the first time subject to back taxes
3. Persons who own or administer any delinquent real property with or without notices of collection
4. Persons who have violated traffic and parking rules imposed under the Manila Traffic Code and the No Contact Apprehension Program
5. Persons who have pending local tax cases before any judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative body concerning local business taxes, fees and charges or real property taxes
“All corresponding accrued surcharge and interest penalties which any delinquent tax, regulatory fee or service charge may have incurred shall be deemed waived upon full payment of the principal amount of the basic tax, fee or charge within the period of effectivity of this Code,” the ordinance read.
The ordinance came just a day after Domagoso formally announced his presidential bid in the 2022 National Elections.
Manila as well as the rest of the National Capital Region is currently under the new general community quarantine (GCQ) Alert Level 4.
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