TRADE and Commerce chair Councilor George Goking said the City Council on Monday has already passed the Tax Amnesty ordinance which would provide tax relief to delinquent taxpayers of real property taxes (RPT) and business taxes.
Even Cagayan de Oro City Vice Mayor Jocelyn ‘Bebot’ Rodriguez supported the city government’s call to the business sector to avail of its tax amnesty program.
Rodriguez, an ex-officio member of the committee, said she is thankful for the move, citing that it will benefit the people of Cagayan de Oro.
Goking, the main proponent of the ordinance, said this would increase the tax collection of the city this year since the amnesty would encourage delinquent taxpayers to clear off their taxes while the amnesty was in effect.
“This is a form of help to the taxpayers since the pandemic may have reduced their income,” said Goking.
Ordinance No. 2022-47, will be granting relief to delinquent real property and business taxpayers, stall holders in public markets and terminals, and violators of traffic rules and regulations in the form of condonation of their interests, surcharges, penalties, and/or arrearages.
Goking said the ordinance endorsed by the City Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy grants amnesty to taxpayers on interest, penalties, and surcharges arising from their failure to pay real property taxes, business taxes, and all other charges due and demandable.
“This is relative to the proposal of the Local Finance Committee for amnesty or relief on the delinquency of real property tax, transfer tax, and business tax, charges,” said Goking.
He said the local finance Committee, through its Resolution earlier requested the members of the Council to enact an ordinance granting condonation of all interest and/or penalties of Real Property Taxes during the preceding year.
“It’s provided that the said taxpayer must pay all their delinquencies and the payment of their current year Real Property Taxes on or before June 30, 2023,” said Goking.
Goking said the committee discussed the proposal of the LFC for the enactment of an ordinance condoning all interest and penalties on business taxes, fees, and charges from 2020 to 2022 incurred during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Councilor Jay Pascual said the ordinance was approved unanimously.
For his part, during the regular session, Councilor Aga Suan pointed out that the proposed ordinance is good and beneficial to all.
"No objection ang tax condonation from the members," said Councilor Jose Joey Abbu.
Goking also assured that the ordinance was thoroughly studied before it was enacted Monday.
Goking said that even though the ordinance was already approved, still is open for a possible amendment if sort out issues along the way.
