Property tax in Cebu City is in the spotlight.
A legislator has filed a proposal seeking amnesty to property taxpayers on the interest, penalties and surcharges from their failure to pay real property taxes (RPT).
Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, who sponsored the property tax legislation, said it will cover those who failed to pay from 1970 to 2012.
She said taxpayers, particularly those who inherited real estate properties, have yet to pay their property tax dues because of the huge amount incurred from the interests, penalties and surcharges.
Pesquera believed these taxpayers will pay if they are given discounts.
This will also generate more economic activities in the city, she said.
“The Cebu City government is willing to grant amnesty to all property taxpayers with respect to the penalties arising from non-payment of real property tax for the period between 1970 and 2012,” according to the Philippines News Agency.
Under the proposal, a 100 percent discount on unpaid interests, surcharges and penalties will be granted from the year 1980 to 1995.
The unpaid property tax from 1996 to 2000 will be given 75 percent discount while those from 2001 to 2005 will be given 50 percent discount.
A 40 percent discount will be given to those with unpaid property tax from 2006 to 2010, and 30 percent discount for dues incurred from 2011 to 2012.
All of these will be granted provided that the delinquent taxpayers will have to pay at least 20 percent of their total dues to the city.
The balance should be paid within a maximum of three years from the signing of an agreement between the two parties.