Marikina exempts small sari-sari stores, carinderias from business tax

The Marikina City government on Tuesday announced that small sari-sari stores and eateries or "carinderia" are now exempted from business tax and permit fees.

In a statement, the city government said Mayor Marcy Teodoro on Monday signed Ordinance No. 140 for these exemptions.

“The exemption period of business tax, business permit and local regulatory fees and charges shall begin January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024,” the Marikina government said.

Covered under the ordinance are sari-sari stores and eateries with start-up capital of not more than P10,000 or an annual gross receipt of not more than P180,000.

Excluded are sari-sari stores and carinderias with a start-up capital of more than P10,000, as well as those who are selling cigarettes or liquor or both regardless of the amount of their start-up capital.

“All exempted ‘sari-sari’ stores and ‘carinderias’ will be issued the necessary certificate of exemption by the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO),” it added.

The exemption from business tax and permit fees aims to help small businesses recover from the  impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as cited by the ordinance.

“Ginagawa natin ito hindi para makita lang. Hindi para ipagyabang. Ginagawa natin ito para makatulong (We are doing this not brag but to help),” Teodoro said.

“Kaya naisipan natin na ito na, imbis na i-discount, ililibre na lang natin ang business tax (That is why we decided, instead of giving discount, we will exempt them from business tax),” he added.

Meanwhile, through Ordinance No. 139, Teodoro also extended the period for renewal of business permits without surcharges and penalties from January 20 to March 31. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News