Taxpayers urged to pay RPT early to avail 20% discount
THE CITY Government of Bacolod has urged taxpayers to settle their real property tax (RPT) early to avail of the 20 percent discount on advance payment.
Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, chairperson of the City Council committee on finance and appropriation, said yesterday, December 1, that the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO)-LAND Tax Division is now accepting the advance RPT payments starting this month.
He said the CTO will also be open on December 3, 10, and 17 (Saturdays) and on December 8 and 30 (non-working holidays) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“It’s our campaign for early payments so our taxpayers can avail the 20 percent discount,” he added.
Sayson noted that taxpayers can avail the 20 percent discount until December 31, 2022.
“By January 2023, the taxpayers will pay the regular RPT rates,” Sayson said.
He said for inquiries and clarification, the CTO’S office can be reached at 434-7950, or via email at cto_landtax@bacolodcity.gov.ph.
Moreover, the city council earlier approved on first reading the proposed ordinance granting tax relief to delinquent RPT in the city.
Councilor Al Victor Espino, chairperson of the City Council committee on laws, who authored the ordinance, said due to the impact of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, the city expects some degree of shortfall in its tax collection, which may be compensated by encouraging taxpayers to pay their RPT without the additional burden of penalties and surcharges.
He said the city can ease the burden of the taxpayers via tax relief measures on delinquent real property taxes through the condonation of penalties, interest and surcharges imposed therein.*