JOE MENDOZA
Aurora News Desk
AURORA, ZAMBOSUR—-Hundreds prompt payers of real property tax availed the 20 percent cut rate gratis from the municipal treasurers office since December 2008.
Municipal Treasurer. Elnora Talip said this was upon the orders of Mayor Enrique Cabahug Jr. that she accommodate payers of local and real property tax who pay on time.
Pursuant to Provincial Tax Ordinance No. 020, otherwise known as the Revenue Code of the Province of Zamboanga del Sur, real property tax levied together with the additional levy on real property for the Special Education Fund (SEF) shall be due and payable on the first day of January of each year.
The same may, however, at the discretion of the taxpayers, be paid without interest or penalty in four equal installments: on or before March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31.
The province takes 35 percent of the proceeds of the real property taxes, 40 percent for the municipal where the property is located and 25 percent to the barangay where the property is also located.
An additional 1% Special Education Fund tax is be automatically released and divided equally between the province and municipal school board.
This money used for the operation and maintenance of public schools, construction and repair of school buildings, facilities equipment, educational research, purchase of books and periodicals, and sports development as determined and approved by the Local School Board.
Meanwhile, business permit applicants continue to flock to the town hall to beat the Jan. 20 deadline.
Under the Updated Municipal Revenue Code 01-2004 of municipal government of Aurora, the tax shall be paid once within the first 20 days of January or in quarterly installments within the first 20 days of January, April, July, and October of each year.
Talip has appealed to all businessmen to file their business permit the earliest possible time to avoid the rush and the payment of fines and surcharges.
A one-stop-shop has been set up as receiving tables to accommodate the number of applicants for business permits and renewals daily.
For his part, Josefino Zanoria, assistant municipal treasurer, said that they have already fielded their men to intensify tax collection.
Cabahug explains the need to collect taxes in order to strengthening a municipality’s financial capabilities and for use in the performance of local governance functions, especially in the delivery of services to the townfolk.