Smart submits requested tax documents to Makati LGU

Smart Communications Inc. said it has already submitted the documents requested by the Makati City local government unit (LGU), following the closure order served earlier this week over alleged tax and permit violations.

In a statement released Wednesday, Smart said its officials submitted the documents pertaining to outstanding local taxation issues to the Makati City Office of the City Treasurer.

“The submission of the documents is part of ongoing discussions between the company and the Makati City LGU who both aim to arrive at a resolution to the matter at hand,” the statement read.

“Smart remains committed to complying with Makati City’s local tax ordinances, and with relevant national laws, applicable in respect of local taxation,” it added.

This comes as Makati City Administrator Claro Certeza said the LGU requested Smart to submit a breakdown of revenues and business taxes paid in all branches across the country, but the firm reportedly refused.

“When businesses in Makati choose to operate without a valid business permit, they are essentially operating outside the law. This is unacceptable, and I want to make it clear that we will not tolerate this kind of behavior, whether you are a big or small company,” he said Monday.

The Makati City LGU on the same day issued a closure order against Smart’s main office, for reportedly operating without a business permit since 2019, and for allegedly failing to settle its P3.2-billion franchise tax deficiency.

The LGU said Smart was not able to obtain any relief from the courts over its franchise tax deficiency from January 2012 to December 2015, based on an examination initiated by the Office of the City Treasurer in 2016.

For its part, Smart on Monday said it remains committed to complying with Makati City’s local tax ordinances and with relevant national laws involving local taxation.

“The company continues to assure the public and its customers that services remain available and accessible,” it said.

Smart Communications Inc., headquartered in Makati City, is a wholly-owned unit of Pangilinan-led PLDT Inc.

Shares in PLDT Inc. closed Wednesday at P1,318.00 apiece, up by P33.00 or 2.57% from Tuesday’s finish of P1,285.00. —VAL, GMA Integrated News