Tax relief for Makati West Tower residents

Makati City has extended the amnesty period for the payment of business and realty taxes until December 31 for residents of West Tower Condominium in Barangay (village) Bangkal, pending the complete restoration of the building basement affected by the gas pipe leak.

Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay said the extension was granted under City Ordinance No. 2011-047 to allow West Tower residents and business owners to pay their taxes without penalties until Dec. 31.

The ordinance amended Ordinance No. 2011-005, which previously set the amnesty period within the first quarter of 2011.

The tax relief measure stemmed from Binay’s recommendation after the evacuation of condo residents last year to give way to draining operations at the building basement where a pipeline leak was found.

Binay, however, said that under the ordinance, taxpayers need to submit a written request for amnesty to the City Treasurer who shall assess and rule on its approval after verification with the barangay inventory or master list.

The mayor also said that discounts granted for payments in 2012 tax dues made before the January 20 deadline shall also be applied to West Tower residents.

Realty Tax Division chief Lina Estrella Enriquez said that under the existing laws, late payments of real estate taxes are penalized with a two percent monthly compounded interest. This has been waived with the passage of the ordinance.