Cebu City extends payment deadline for property, business taxes

THE Cebu City Government has extended the deadline of quarterly payment for real property (RPT) and business taxes to June 30, 2020.

In an ordinance authored by Cebu City Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia, the payment of RPT for the current year due on March 31 and the business tax due on April 20 are both extended to June 30.

The ordinance was approved by the Cebu City Council during its regular session on Wednesday, April 1.

Under Section 2 of the same ordinance, any fees imposed by the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) for the late submission of requirements for the issuance of new or renewal of business permits shall be waived during the period of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

“Any and all fees imposed by the Business Permit and Licesing Office (BPLO) for the late submission of regulatory requirements for issuance of new or renewal of business permits shall be waived during the period of the community quarantine and shall continue until one month following the issuance of the order lifting the said quarantine,” Section 2 of the ordinance reads.

However, it was emphasized in the ordinance that penalties for non-payment of business taxes which accumulated on January 31 will not be waived.

The ordinance also provided for the waiving of delivery permits of vehicles carrying basic necessities such as food, water, medicine, and other necessary supplies.

Section 3 of the ordinance states that “delivery permits for the delivery of basic necessities during the period of the community quarantine shall not be required.”

However, in case of doubts, Section 3 can be “liberally construed” in favor of persons delivering goods.

The implementing offices of the ordinance are the City Treasurer’s Office, BPLO, and Cebu City Transportation Office.

The ordinance took effect immediately from the day of its approval and will remain in effect until the community quarantine in the city is lifted.

The measure was made to help taxpayers from the impact caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

“The community quarantine has impacted the daily lives of the constituents of the city, affecting their means of income,” said Garcia. (JJL)