Accreditation from PEZA won't exempt firms from paying real property taxes

CEBU, Philippines - Establishments with accreditation from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) will not exempt these from paying real property taxes to the Mandaue City government.

City Treasurer Regal Oliva yesterday said that based on the PEZA law, companies whose business deal with Business Process Outsource and the IT Industry are exempt from paying taxes.

He said the city will still tax these establishments and only a portion of their establishments which have an actual direct use for BPO's will be exempted from the real property tax.

"Gamay ra nila ang manug-an sa tinuod because they take advantage nga passive ra ang city government when compensated employees pay their taxes promptly but these establishments do not declare the truth," Oliva said.

Among the establishments that claim to be PEZA-accredited are the Robinland Towers at the Reclamation Area and the Pacific Mall Metro at barangay Ibabao.

Howerver, it was learned that only a portion of their building is intended for BPO use while the rest of the building has been used for commercial businesses. — THE FREEMAN