Marikina offers tax amnesty to businesses

MARIKINA City businesses are once again given amnesty to settle due business taxes until the end of the year, an official said.

The business tax amnesty was extended Friday after Marikina Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro signed Ordinance 089 series of 2021.

The measure states that a 100-percent relief or amnesty is granted on surcharges and interests of delinquent business taxpayers of the city, until Dec. 31, 2021.

Teodoro said local business owners may pay their dues to the local treasury office located inside its town capitol or through Marikina Online Services’ payment.marikina.gov.ph. before the end of the year.

“Naway ang amnestiya sa business tax ay magdulot ng kaluwagan sa inyong pamumuhay. Hangad ko ang pagpapatuloy ng inyong negosyo para sa ikabubuti ng inyong pamilya at mga manggagawa, maging ng ating komunidad (May the business tax amnesty bring relief to your life. I want to continue your business for the good of your family and workers, even our community),” said Teodoro in a statement.

The local government admitted the pandemic “compromised and disrupted” the livelihood and business of its residents due to the imposition of quarantine measures for protection of public health and safety against Covid-19.

“The limitation on movement of people due to the pandemic has disrupted many business establishments in the City of Marikina. Evidently, despite the gradual opening of the economy, businesses require assistance from the local government to ensure its financial recovery and to safeguard the employment of many workers,” the ordinance read.

“This will encourage growth and renewal of business activities in the city,” he added.

Marikina City’s amnesty for local business was first granted in 2019 and was followed in April this year amid the Covid-19 pandemic.