QC approves 3 tax relief ordinances for businesses

Businesses in Quezon City (QC) will receive triple tax relief next year to recover from the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, QC Mayor Joy Belmonte said on Wednesday.

Belmonte said the QC Council approved three ordinances providing them much-needed respite and room to recover.

“As the economy gradually opens, some businesses that are heavily affected by the pandemic are still struggling on their way to recovery and we, in the city government, want to help them in as many ways as we can, and passing this tax relief ordinance is just one of them,” the QC mayor said in a statement.

One of the three ordinances, City Ordinance SP-3067, S-2021 extends the deadline for the payment of business taxes, fees, and charges without surcharges or interest from January 20, 2022 (First Quarter) and March 20, 2022 (Second Quarter) to July 20, 2022.

The city council also passed City Ordinance SP-3068, S-2021, which seeks to waive penalties, surcharges, and interest for unpaid business taxes for 2021 and prior years.

The ordinance will also cover all businesses that have failed to pay any business tax for 2021 and prior years.

Meanwhile, the third ordinance approved City Ordinance SP-3069 S-2021 will allow staggered settlement of outstanding business taxes up to a maximum of 12 months installment covering the year 2021 and prior years.

Under the ordinance, the city treasurer is also tasked to determine the manner or frequency of payment of outstanding tax balances.

All three ordinances were introduced by Councilors Franz Pumaren, Jun Ferrer, Eric Medina and Donny Matias, and co-introduced by other members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

The three ordinances are expected to be signed by Belmonte before the year ends. — Richa Noriega/BM, GMA News