Biz leader pushes tax amnesty measures

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Frank Carbon, Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive officer recommended amnesty tax packages to the city government that will generate the much-needed cash for the city and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Carbon made the recommendation to Councilor Al Espino, chair of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Ways and Means.

He said his proposal is in time for the committee hearing this week.

Carbon said those who were not able to pay their real property tax for 2019 and the previous years have the option to pay on or before July 31 without surcharges and penalties.

Businesses that were not able to pay in the first quarter of 2020 which was due on March 31, and the second quarter due on June 30, have the option to pay on or before July 31 without surcharges and penalties, he added.

Carbon also said that those who would like to pay their real property tax for 2020 will enjoy a 10 percent discount provided they will pay in full on or before July 31.

For the business tax, Carbon said that those who were not able to pay in 2019 and the previous years will have the option to pay in full on or before July 31 without surcharges and penalties.

He further said that those who were not able to process and pay their business tax due on January 20, April 20, and July 20 will have the option to pay on or before July 31, without surcharges and penalties.

He also suggested that those who were not able to pay their business tax on April 20 but was able to settle on January 20 will have the option to pay on or before July 31, without surcharges and penalties.

Carbon said they are also appealing to the city government to extend the deadline for tax payment as the coronavirus disease 2019 crisis threatens the survival of businesses.

He said there are already several business establishments that have opted not to resume operation due to the Covid-19 pandemic.