App makes payment of real property tax easier

PAYMENT of real property tax (RPT) will now be a little easier, thanks to an app.

Pinnacle Real Estate Consulting Services, Inc. partnered with tech firm Togetech, Inc. to offer RPT assessment and payment services for property owners through the Moneygment mobile application.

The two companies signed the contract last Jan. 8 in Makati City.

Officials from Pinnacle and Togetech said property owners, especially overseas Filipino workers, can settle their RPT on time without lining up at the city or municipal offices.

“We saw that many of our customers are paying for their properties and we wanted to be able to assist them in making it easier for them to pay their RTP payments regardless of where they are,” Togetech Chief Executive Officer Ma. Jessica M. Palmiano said.

Michael R. Mabutol, president and managing director of Pinnacle, said the company has been offering the service for large companies, and saw a demand for this on a retail level.

“Real property tax payment is one of the most, overlooked tax and obligation as property owner. So, when we sat down with Jessica, I’m happy to learn that… Togetech has developed an application that could help citizens, Filipinos to maximize the use of technology and at the same time, just being in the comfort of their home and pay their real property tax obligations,” Mr. Mabutol said.

Launched in February 2018, Moneygment is an app that helps self-employed professionals, freelancers, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME), homemakers, and OFWs with financial transactions such as payment of bills and government obligations.

For the payment of RPT, Moneygment users have to first get their properties assessed by providing information such as the title number and owner’s full name. Users have to submit the relevant documents via email and pay a P500 processing fee.

After the tax assessment is completed, users can make payments via bank transfers or at 7-Eleven stores, among others.

Users will then be given an official receipt once the transaction is completed.

Moneygment app’s RPT service is currently available only in Metro Manila and Cebu. Pinnacle and Togetech are targeting to expand the service in more areas in northern and southern Luzon and Davao within the year.

Togetech is a mobile app development company focusing on the development of financial technology.

Pinnacle is a homegrown real estate brokerage and consulting firm that provides services to both local and foreign buyers, and real estate lenders. The company primarily offers services like real estate management and brokerage, real estate closing and advisory services, and non-performing loan (NPL) asset management. —