Breather for Metro Cebu businesses as tax payment, permit renewal deadlines extended

Local

BUSINESS owners across Metro Cebu are getting more breathing room.

This comes as Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Lapu-Lapu City have extended deadlines for 2026 business tax payments and Mayor’s Permit renewals.

The extensions, announced separately by the three local governments, aim to ease early-year congestion at city halls and give taxpayers more flexibility to comply with requirements.

In Cebu City, business permit renewals that began on Jan. 5 will now run until Jan. 30, 2026 after the Sangguniang Panlungsod approved a resolution authorizing the extension.

Transactions at City Hall start at 8 a.m., but to reduce long lines, the city has opened satellite offices at SM Seaside City Cebu, near the Land Transportation Office, and at Robinsons Galleria Cebu on the fourth floor.

City officials are also encouraging business owners to use the city’s online payment facility and to complete their Mayor’s Business Permit applications in advance by scanning the QR code available on the official Cebu City website.

The Cebu City Treasurer’s Office warned that payments made after Jan. 30 will incur a 25 percent surcharge, plus a two percent monthly interest on any unpaid amount.

The advisory, signed by Treasurer’s Office Officer-in-Charge Emma Villarete, urged taxpayers to pay early to avoid penalties and delays.

Mandaue City has likewise extended its deadlines, citing the impact of recent calamities, including flooding and an earthquake, on local businesses.

Business Permit and Licensing Office head Lawyer August Lizer Malate said the City Council approved the extension, which was subsequently signed by Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano.

Under the new schedule, the deadline for filing business permit applications is Jan. 25.

Malate said business owners who submit their applications online on or before Jan. 25 will not be considered late filers and will have until Jan. 31 2026 to pay their business taxes without penalties, surcharges, or additional fees.

Applications filed after Jan. 25 will be subject to a 25 percent surcharge and monthly interest.

He added that the city is currently processing around 11,000 applications.

In Lapu-Lapu City, the deadline for renewing business permits has been moved to Jan. 30, 2026 with assessment requirements due by Jan. 28

City offices operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, and have discontinued Saturday operations.

All three cities reminded business owners to take advantage of the extended deadlines to avoid disruptions to their operations as 2026 begins.(TGP)