It’s not a good time to be idle, the city government of Muntinlupa said, as it advised property owners in the city that if more than 50 percent of their lands are unutilized, they may be taxed with an additional levy.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi urged residents and developers with idle lands to continuously develop their properties to its highest and best use to avoid the idle land tax.
The city government recently amended its Revenue Code and has begun imposing an ad valorem tax on real properties through Ordinance 17-123.
Muntinlupa Assessor’s Office chief Vincent Misa said the additional tax on idle lands will be at 0.5 percent of the assessed value on residential lots and 2 percent on commercial or industrial properties.
Misa said that the initiative will translate to additional revenues for the local government to sustain its delivery of basic services.
Lands shall be considered unutilized if more than 50 percent of its area is not used in accordance with its permitted or authorized use, that which is “physically and financially viable and more productive use.”
Further, properties with structures or other kinds of construction evaluated as less than 50 percent of the assessed value of the land shall also be considered as unimproved and idle.
MAO has deployed a Special Team to conduct inspections and tax campaign among the barangays, Misa added. Notice of assessments were already given to landowners with evaluated idle lands through the office’s system and remote examinations.
Misa explained that the “idle land” status with its additional tax can be removed upon re-assessment with construction of structures and development of the property.
According to Muntinlupa Revenue Code, landowners are exempted from the idle land tax only by reasons of force majeure or natural calamity; unfavorable physical factors as certified by the Department of Agriculture; and circumstances that physically or legally prevent the owner of the property or person having legal interest from improving, utilizing or cultivating the same.
MAO offers up to 10 percent discount to landowners paying RPT ahead of the scheduled deadline. For more details, you may reach Muntinlupa Assessor’s Office at (02) 862 5111 or 862 6450 or at the ground floor of Muntinlupa City Hall, Main Building, National Road, Muntinlupa City.
