The Makati City Council has approved a measure extending the Jan. 20 deadline of the assessment and payment of business and realty taxes in the city.
Mayor Abigail Binay said the assessment of business permits is extended until Jan. 25, while acceptance of payments for business and realty taxes is until the end of office hours of Jan. 31. She added no penalties will be imposed.
“We are giving our taxpayers more time to comply with requirements for the renewal of their business permits and payment of taxes due. We hope they will do their part to make the extension count and serve its purpose, which is for their benefit,” Binay said.
The city chief executive reminded taxpayers of the penalties for late payments, such as a 25-percent surcharge and 2-percent interest per month of the delay until the full payment of business tax due has been settled.
On the other hand, a 10-percent discount is given to non-delinquent taxpayers of real property tax who will pay for the full year on or before the Jan. 31 deadline.
On Monday, taxpayers were treated to free lunch provided by the Business Permits Office.
According to BPO chief Atty. Maribert Pagente, about 700 meals were distributed to clients as the city’s gesture of appreciation for their efforts to put their papers in order and pay the correct taxes and dues to the city government.
Mayor Binay said frontline offices have been authorized to render overtime services to serve taxpayers until Jan. 31.
The Business Permits and Licensing Office will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday to Friday (Jan. 20 to 24; Jan. 27 to 31), and on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 25 to 26, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Business Tax Division will be open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. until Jan. 31, and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, Jan. 18 and 25. On Sundays, Jan. 19 and 26, it will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Realty Tax Division will be open to accept payments on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. until Jan. 31, and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Jan. 18, 19, 25 and 26).
During the same period, the Miscellaneous Tax Division will also be open to accept payments for miscellaneous fees and taxes, including professional tax payments, on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
