Bandar Seri Begawan - The Municipal Department yesterday issued a stern reminder to building owners in the Bandar Seri Begawan municipal area that the deadline to pay outstanding building tax is tomorrow, December 31.

"The department is requesting the cooperation of all owners to make their payments for the current year either before or on the date stated to avoid any outstanding bills. Failure to do so will result in legal action taken under provisions of the Municipal Act, Section 57, Laws of Brunei," the statement said.

According to Section 12 of the Municipal Act, Chapter 57, annual building tax claims must be settled in two payments -once in January and again in July - during the year the tax is payable.

Further, Section 7 of the Municipal Act states, "If any person is guilty of the contravention of any such by-law for the breach of which no penalty is otherwise expressly provided, or of infringing any exclusive right granted under section 4(e), he shall be guilty of an offence: Penalty, a fine of S3,000. or in the case of a continuing offence to a fine of $100 for every day during which such offence is continued."

"In addition, failure to pay claims in building tax will affect any applications for any work on the renovation or addition to buildings and production business licences over the premises," the statement added.

However, signalling possible future reform of the existing municipal building tax system, the statement highlighted, "The department is currently undertaking a review of the building taxation system to identify more appropriate methods to replace the existing ones."

Building tax payments can be made at the payment counter of the Finance Division, located at Level 3 of the Municipal Department Building on Jalan Kumbang Pasang.

The counter is open from 8am to midday and from 1.30pm to 3pm, Mondays to Thursdays. On Saturdays, payments can be made from 8am to 10.30am.

Payments can be made either in cash, by cheque made payable to His Majesty's Government or by credit card.

Further inquiries relating to building tax payments as well as problems regarding tax payments can be directed to the Assessment and Building Tax Unit, at Level 1 of the Municipal Department Building at Jalan Kumbang.

For further clarification or queries on the payment methods, building owners can, during office hours, meet directly with the Head of Unit, Hjh Rashidah Hj Abdul Ghani, the stetement said.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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