QC revenue collection hits P11.3 B

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City government’s revenue collections reached P11.3 billion during the first six months of 2014, with business taxes representing the city’s top earner.

The amount was higher by P725.25 million compared to the same period last year.

In a report submitted to Mayor Herbert Bautista, city treasurer Edgar Villanueva said business tax collections amounting to P5.31 billion make up the bulk of the city’s collection. It was higher by P607 million from last year’s collection.

The local government, collected P1.34 billion from real estate taxes, or a decrease of P99.66 million during the first six months of the year.

The remaining collections came from the regulatory and miscellaneous fees imposed by the city government.

In an earlier interview, Villanueva told The STAR the city was able to collect P3 million following the implementation of an intensified tax collection from delivery, service and public utility vehicles (PUVs).

Last March, the local government created a task force tasked to conduct inspections of business establishments in the city.

The task force determines payment of fixed tax, as well as issue notices for failure to comply with the code and settle tax obligations.

Based on Article 19 of the revenue code, operators of motor vehicles for hire with terminals in the city shall pay fixed annual tax rates of P400 per unit for buses, cargo trucks and vans; P200 per unit for taxis, and P100 per unit of jeepneys and other vehicles for hire.

It exempts operators of taxis, jeepneys and other vehicles – except buses, cargo trucks and vans – with less than three units, as well as operators of tricycles for hire and utility tricycles, from paying taxes.

Meanwhile, Article 17 of the code said that an annual fixed rate of P500 shall be imposed on trucks and vans used for delivery.

Tricycles shall pay P250, while motorcycles shall pay P100 every year.

The code states that delivery and service motor vehicles with business establishments in the city shall be subjected only to 50 percent of the tax.

No motor vehicle used for delivery shall be allowed in the city without a valid sticker issued by the mayor’s office.