THE collection of real property taxes on land or “amilyar” in Quezon City will resume this year after a five-year suspension.

City Treasurer Ed Villanueva said that the collection of the real property taxes on land will be based on the 2017 schedule of fair market values (FMVs) of land.

“Beginning with the taxable year 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,” Villanueva said.

Villanueva explained that the adjustment is not a “new hike” but simply a revert to the rate which was used five years ago before it was temporarily suspended by the Supreme Court (SC).

The SC ordered the suspension based on a petition filed by a homeowner’s association, questioning the ordinance’s legality.

In 2018, the SC lifted its Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), which directed the city government the re-implementation of the updated schedule of FMVs.

However, despite the favorable decision, the local government continued 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 national government’s shortfall in tax collections owing to the pandemic, the reinstatement of the former rate is required to support the city’s five major thrusts. It includes the expansion of social services and the establishment of necessary infrastructure facilities mainly.

“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, of course, to fund the social services that we extend, especially to the marginalized,” Villanueva added.

The 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 of the 20% discount, while those who will pay via installment or on or before the end of each quarter will receive a 10% discount.

Meanwhile, Villanueva advised delinquent taxpayers to pay their delinquent tax or its installment during the payment period to prevent court action or placement of their property on the list of delinquent properties to be sold at public auction.

The step-by-step instructions on how to pay RPT (real property taxes) 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.