Paranaque extends tax amnesty

Good news for Parañaque real property owners! This city’s local government unit under the administration of Mayor Florencio Bernabe, Jr. is extending the tax amnesty on real property in response to the clamor of the citizens.

This is made pursuant to City Draft Ordinance No. 115, series of 2010 entitled “An Ordinance Extending the Effectivity of Ordinance No. 09-15, “An Ordinance Providing for Financial Relief through a Tax Holiday for a Limited Period to Owners of Real Properties in the City of Parañaque”. The landmark legislation was sponsored by Coun. Jose Enrico Golez.

Under the said ordinance, the payment of real property taxes without penalties and surcharges is extended from March 31, 2010 to April 30, 2010 provided that the taxes due on real properties have been assessed on or before April 26, 2010.

The tax holiday covers declared and undeclared properties except those which have pending cases in regular courts involving assessment and collection of real property taxes including levy on the Special Education Fund.

“Mother Ordinance” (09-15) and its amending legislations (Ordinance Nos.10-04 and 115) apply only to real property tax arrears for 2009 and prior years.

“The recent global economic recession strained the finances not only of corporations and institutions but also of families and individuals. By condoning penalties and surcharges on real property taxes, and limiting the assessment and collection to basic dues, we should be able to lighten their burden. It has been the policy of my administration to adopt citizen and business-friendly measures; we will continue heading towards that direction for the welfare of our constituents as well as growth and development of our city.“, Mayor Bernabe said.

Apart from the tax holiday, owners of real properties in Parañaque are happy that the city government has not raised the real property tax. The fair market value of land in the city remains at the 1997 level while the schedule of building and other improvements stays at the 1992 mark. (Public Information Office)