DAVAO CITY OPTIMISTIC TO HIT TAX COLLECTION TARGET

As of September 2020, the city government has collected P8.2 billion from income sources

THE Davao City government is optimistic to hit its tax collection target this year despite some challenges during the coronavirus disease ( Covid- 19) pandemic.

As of September 2020, the city government has collected P8.2 billion from local taxes, service income, business income, economic enterprise, other income, and share from the internal revenue allotment ( IRA).

This is an 80.27 percent of the P10.3 billion target collection for 2020. The current collection also poses a higher amount of P1.2 billion compared to the P7 billion collected taxes for the same period of 2019.

A chunk of the collection came from local taxes that amounted to P3.3 billion. However, the City Treasurer’s Office ( CTO) has pointed out the decrease in service, business income, and economic enterprise was due to the closure of establishments during lockdown and restriction measures during the community quarantine.

“In order to meet the City’s target collection by the end of the year, the City Treasurer’s Office and other revenue- generating offices, such as the Business Bureau, are conducting intensified monitoring to ensure compliance to the necessary permits and to collect the taxes due to the City,” said Atty. Lawrence Bantiding, CTO head.

CTO has also intensified its information dissemination on the payment deadlines for taxes and other fees.

Another factor of achieving the city’s target collection is Ordinance No. 0218- 20 or the Tax Amnesty or Relief from Delinquent Real Property Tax.

“We have already collected a total of P27,925,174.51 from delinquencies. This will contribute to our efforts to achieve our target,” said Bantiding.

The ordinance applies to assessed penalties and interest on delinquent back taxes relating to real properties as of December 31, 2019, and prior years. All accrued penalties and interest shall be condoned only upon settlement of RPT within 6 months from the effectivity of the Ordinance. Those who have RPT delinquencies can avail of this until January 9, 2021.

Taxpayers may pay their business taxes and real property taxes by visiting the City Treasurer’s Office every weekday from 8 AM to 5 PM. /

In order to meet the City’s target collection by the end of the year, the City Treasurer’s Office and other revenuegenerating offices, such as the Business Bureau, are conducting intensified monitoring to ensure compliance to the necessary permits and to collect the taxes due to the City.

ATTY. LAWRENCE BANTIDING CTO head