The Navotas City government has passed an ordinance that would grant amnesty on all penalties, surcharges, and interest from unpaid real property taxes, including the Special Education Fund (SEF), idle land tax and other special levy taxes.
Mayor John Rey Tiangco on Tuesday encouraged residents and property owners to take advantage of the program.
The measure, in accordance with Republic Act 12001, otherwise known as the “Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act,” aims to provide relief to property owners while encouraging them to settle their obligations with the city, Tiangco told The Manila Times.
It also aims to strengthen the fiscal autonomy of the local government by enhancing its ability to generate revenues from real property taxation, ensuring the city can continue to deliver vital programs and services to its constituents, he said.
“This tax amnesty is an opportunity for our citizens to settle their obligations without the heavy burden of penalties and surcharges. By doing so, we not only ease the financial load of our property owners but also strengthen our city’s capacity to fund essential services for every Navoteño,” the city chief executive added.
The tax relief may be availed by delinquent property owners with the option of one-time or installment payment, allowing greater flexibility in settling overdue accounts, the city government said.
“We encourage everyone to avail of this amnesty before it expires,” he reiterated. The amnesty will remain in effect until July 5, 2026, it added.
However, the ordinance does not apply to delinquent real property taxes that have already been disposed of at a public auction to satisfy real property delinquencies.
Also, those real properties that are subject to pending cases in court for real property delinquencies as well as those with taxes that are currently being paid pursuant to a compromise agreement, the local government said.
Additionally, the City Treasurer’s Office will not accept tax payments for land unless the real property tax on the improvement attached or built thereon has been settled or updated in accordance with an existing ordinance.
