Marikina LGU extends tax amnesty for businesses hit by pandemic, inflation

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MANILA, Philippines — Businesses in Marikina City who have not yet settled their taxes have been given a reprieve as the local government has decided to extend the tax amnesty program, to aid establishments hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and the inflation’s effects on the economy.

According to Marikina’s Public Information Office, re-elected Mayor Marcelino Teodoro already signed City Ordinance No. 064, Series of 2022 or an Ordinance Granting Amnesty on Surcharges and Interests of Delinquent Business Taxpayers, extending the tax amnesty program for business taxpayers in the city.

“Ngayong umaga ay nilagdaan natin ang isang ordinansa, at ako’y nagpapasalamat nang lubos sa ating pangalawang punong lungsod at sa lahat ng kasapi ng Sangguniang Panlunsod, na kung saan ay nagbibigay tayo ng business tax amnesty,” Teodoro said in the statement.

(We signed an ordinance this morning, and I am really grateful to our vice mayor and to all members of the City Council, as we have formalized the program providing businesses tax amnesty.)

Under the ordinance, the delinquent business taxpayers are granted 100 percent relief or amnesty on surcharges and interests from July 1 to Dec. 31, 2022.

“Dahil alam ko napakahirap ngayon ng negosyo. Napakatumal ng pagtitinda. Kaya nga itong mga ganitong amnesty ay malaki rin naman ang maitutulong nito,” he said.

(Because I know business is very difficult right now. The sales are very slow. That is why such amnesties can also help a lot.)

Teodoro said the grant of tax amnesty seeks to boost the Marikina City’s tax collection efforts and serves as a relief to taxpayers who are experiencing financial difficulties due to the pandemic and the sharp rise in prices of oil products and basic commodities.

“Alam naman natin na malaking problema talaga ng ating bansa ngayon, hindi lamang dito sa ating lungsod, ay yung inflation. Yung pagtaas ng presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin,” Teodoro said.

(We know that the big problem that our country is facing today, not only here in our city, is inflation. The increase in the price of essential commodities.)

“At ang totoo, ang sumasalo sa problemang ‘yan, dahil hindi naman talaga nagtataas din ng presyo ang marami sa ating mga negosyo, ay ‘yung production side. Tumataas ‘yung cost production kaya naapektuhan talaga ‘yung kita ng ating mga mangangalakal, lalo na ‘yung mga nasa manufacturing,” he added.

(And the truth is, the production side really shoulders a lot of the problem because many of our businesses don’t really raise prices on their products. On the other hand, the production cost is rising, so our traders’ income is really affected, especially those in manufacturing.)

The mayor noted that business taxpayers can settle their obligations until the end of the year without the burden of interest or surcharges.

It can be recalled that the same ordinance, Ordinance No. 006, Series of 2022, was enacted on Feb. 9, 2022 by the Ninth Marikina City Council, that provided amnesty grants on surcharges and interests of delinquent taxpayers until June 30. — with reports from Christine Annie Asistio, trainee

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