Taxpayers told to follow 2007 Revised Revenue Code
City Councilor Antonio Pesina encouraged the city’s taxpayers to pay their taxes based on the computation embodied in the 2007 Revised Revenue Code of Iloilo City. The tax rate contained in the Revised Revenue Code is much lower compared to the existing computation being used by the two city government.
Pesina’s statement was in relation to the inquiries of the taxpayers on the exact and mandated tax they have to pay for the first quarter of 2009. The deadline set for the payment of tax is on January 20, 2009.
Pesina, chair of the committee on ways and means of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, explained the Revised Revenue Code is still applicable. There is no ambiguity of the law, thus it is applicable, he said.
The four major sectors that expressed their concerns on the tax rate are the manufacturing sector, retailers, amusement and real estate lessors.
In a related development, Mayor Jerry Treñas apologized to the city’s taxpayers for the “computer glitches” at the City Treasurer's Office and City Assessor's Office and Business Licensing Division.
The operation at the treasurers’ office, assessors and business licensing division are already computerized. They are included in the computerization package extended by the World Bank to the city government.
The computer software provider will come to Iloilo City to fix the operating system for the city’s tax collection scheme. “The city is trying its best to resolve the problem as soon as possible,” the Mayor said.