CEBU, Philippines - Thousands of taxpayers started trooping to SM City mall at the North Reclamation Area yesterday, not to buy something, but to renew their business taxes.
The Cebu City government is renting the wide SM Trade Hall where the personnel from the various City Hall departments, particularly those from the City Treasurer’s Office, entertain the taxpayers.
The law provides that those taxpayers who pay their financial obligation to the government from January 2 to January 20 will not be subjected to surcharges.
Those who will not be able to settle their tax obligations after the given period can still pay at the City Treasurer’s Office, but with penalties.
City Treasurer Emma Villarete said they are eyeing a target of P1 billion revenue collections during the 20-day period but there are some taxpayers who pay on a quarterly basis.
Villarete said those taxpayers who want to renew their business permits should proceed directly to SM Trade Hall and they will be entertained from 8 a.m. to 6 o’clock in the afternoon.
However, the documents of those who are already inside the “One-Stop-Shop” venue during closing time will still be processed until 8 p.m.
Those who want to pay their real property taxes for their house or buildings, lands and machineries would still be entertained at the City Hall, Villarete said.
The tax collectors explained that although they allow the taxpayers the privilege to pay on a quarterly basis, it will be much better for the city if the payment would be made in full.
Villarete explained that they opted to hold the renewal and processing of business permits at SM City Trade Hall because it is more accessible to the public than in City Hall where there is not enough space for vehicle parking. —/MIT (FREEMAN)