BACOLOD City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) here has approved a measure that would extend by one month the deadline payment of all taxes, fees and charges imposed by the local government unit for succeeding quarters of this year.
Councilor Al Victor Espino, who authored the resolution, cited the economic impact of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in his move to extend the deadline.
“It is imperative to move the statutory deadlines and timelines for filing and submission of any document, payment of taxes, fees, and other charges required by law. This would ease the burden on individuals under community quarantine,” he said.
Espino noted the deadline to pay local taxes, fees and charges for the fourth quarter of 2020 is set on Oct. 20. Thus, with the approval of the ordinance, the deadline would be extended by November 20.
Under the proposed ordinance, the SP may for justifiable reason or cause, extend the time for payment of such taxes, fees and charges without surcharges or penalties, but only for a period of not exceeding six months.
However, there shall be a surcharge of 25 percent of the amount of taxes, fees or charges not paid on time and an interest at the rate of two percent per month of the unpaid taxes, fees, and charges including surcharges, until such amount is fully paid. But in no case shall the total interest on the unpaid amount or portion thereof exceed 36 months.
The extension was in relation to the uniform implementation of Republic Act No. 11469, with the authority of the Secretary of Finance./PN
