The local government of Quezon City said on Tuesday, Jan. 10, that it will resume the collection of “amilyar” or real property taxes on land based on its 2017 schedule of the fair market value (FMVs) of land.

City Treasurer Ed Villanueva said that beginning taxable year 2023, they will use the FMV of various classes of real property as defined by City Ordinance No. SP-2556, S-2016 which was passed in 2016 and applied until 2017.

City Ordinance No. SP-2556, S-2016, which prescribes the schedule of the FMV of lands and basic unit construction cost for building and other structures located in the city was approved by former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista in December 2016. Its copy can be downloaded through http://quezoncitycouncil.ph/ordinance/SP/sp-2556,%20s-2016.pdf.

The ordinance was suspended by the Supreme Court (SC) after a homeowner’s association filed a petition questioning the legality of the ordinance, Villanueva said.

The temporary restraining order on the ordinance was lifted by the SC in 2018.

According to the city government, it decided to continue its suspension of the ordinance to alleviate “the effects of inflation caused by the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.”

The city treasurer also clarified that the adjustment is not a new hike but a revert to the rate used by the local government five years ago.

"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 said.

Tax payment can be processed through the City Treasurer’s Office at the City Hall, payment centers across the city, or online through the QC E-Services.

The city government said that taxpayers who will settle their annual dues on or before March 31, can get a 20 percent discount. Those who will pay via installment on or before the end of each quarter will also receive a 10 percent discount.

Taxpayers can check the city government’s official website ( https://quezoncity.gov.ph/qcitizen-guides/how-to-pay-your-real-property-tax/) for the step-by-step guide in paying their real property taxes.

Villanueva also advised delinquent taxpayers to settle their taxes during the payment period to prevent court action or the placement of their properties on the list of delinquent properties to be sold at public auction.

TRAIN law or Republic Act 10963, signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2017, aims to make the country’s tax system simpler, fairer, and more efficient to promote investment, create jobs, reduce poverty, and raise revenues that will fund the Build, Build, Build program that will sustain high and inclusive growth of the country and finance investments for the people through various services, according to the Department of Finance-National Tax Research Center (ntrc.gov.ph).