QC to collect real property taxes based on 2017 schedule of fair market values

After a five-year pause, the Quezon City local government, through its City Treasurer’s Office (CTO), will resume collection of real property taxes (RPT) on land or amilyar this year based on the 2017 schedule of fair market values (FMVs) of land.

“Beginning 2023, we will use the FMVs for various classes of real property as defined in Ordinance No. SP-2556, S-2016 which was passed in 2016 and was applied until 2017,” said City Treasurer Ed Villanueva.

He clarified that the adjustment is not a new hike but just a revert to the rate that was used five years ago before it was temporarily suspended by the Supreme Court following a petition filed by a homeowner’s association that questioned the legality of the ordinance.

In 2018, the Supreme Court lifted the Temporary Restraining Order, which greenlighted the re-implementation of the updated schedule of FMVs.

However, despite the favorable decision, the local government decided to continue its suspension until recently to alleviate “the effects of inflation caused by the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.”

With the city government receiving P1 billion less in National Tax Allotment as a result of the shortfall in the  national government’s tax collections owing to the pandemic, the reinstatement of the former rate is required to support the city’s five major thrusts. These include  the expansion of social services and the establishment of necessary infrastructure facilities.

“Through the years, the unwavering support of our residents through their tax payments has enabled us to fund impactful programs. We look forward to the same support as we aim to build and rehabilitate vital public facilities such as footbridges, parks, schools, and hospitals, among others, and to fund the social services that we extend  to the marginalized,” Villanueva said.

Payment of taxes can be made through the City Treasurer’s Office at the City Hall, Payment Centers across the City, or online through the QC E-Services.

Taxpayers who will settle their annual dues on or before March 31, 2023 can avail themselves of a 20 percent discount, while those who will pay via installment or on or before the end of each quarter will receive a 10 percent discount.

Meanwhile, Villanueva advised delinquent taxpayers to pay their tax dues, in full or on installment, during the payment period to avoid court action or placement of their property on the list of delinquent properties to be sold at public auctions.

Step-by-step instructions on how to pay RPT can be found on the Quezon City local government’s official website: https://quezoncity.gov.ph/qcitizen-guides/how-to-pay-your-real-property-tax/.