Community Tax Certificate: How To Get a Cedula and Where to Use It

In the Philippines, having a community tax certificate (CTC) or cedula serves as proof of residency and citizenship in the country where it was issued. It is a primary form of identification in our country, alongside the driver's license and the passport, and one of the closest single documents the country has to a national system of identification.

These are commonly issued by cities and municipalities to all persons who have reached the age of majority and who have paid a community tax.

One must not confuse CTCs or Cedula with the Barangay Certification or Barangay Clearance that serves as a residence certificate as a legal proof of residency.

Get a Community Tax Certificate at your Municipal Treasurer's Office or City Treasurer's Office

Community Tax Certificate Features

A community tax certificate includes the following information or features that are commonly needed on various applications and government services:

• Full name

• Height (in centimeters)

• Weight (in kilograms)

• Tax identification number or TIN

• Place and date of birth

• Nationality

• Civil status

• Occupation or calling

• Right-hand thumbprint

• Signatures of the bearer and issuing officer

The validity of the community tax certificate is one year from the date that it was issued.

Eligibility in getting a community tax certificate

There may be various prerequisites for applying for a cedula in different municipalities. For the most part, a cedula may be obtained by those who satisfy the conditions listed here:

• Individuals who live in the Philippines with ages 18 years old and above

• Individuals who have been paid a salary for at least 30 days in a calendar year

• Business owners or employees that live or work in the municipality or city

• Property owners and those with collective assets worth more than Php 1, 000 located within the municipality or city

• Those who are legally compelled to submit annual income tax returns

You may apply for a cedula at the barangay, city, or municipal hall in your area. There are several ways to receive a cedula, but the city hall or municipal hall of your place of residence or place of work may provide you with one.

Get a Community Tax Certificate at your Municipal Treasurer's Office or City Treasurer's Office

Requirements in getting a Community Tax Certificate (Cedula) and how much you need to pay for it

It is important to note that the requirements and the fees may vary from one city or municipality to the next. However, you may get a head start on the process by getting the following items ready in advance:

For individuals

• Accomplished Community Tax Declaration Form

• Payslip

• Proof of Income

• Government issued Valid ID

For business owners

• Accomplished Community Tax Declaration Form

• Approved business tax declaration as evaluated by the City Treasurer’s office

• A valid government-issued ID

For authorized representatives

• Authorization letter

• Photocopy of the valid government-issued ID of the person or business owner being represented

• Valid government-issued ID

Meanwhile, below are the estimated fees for individuals and corporations.

For individuals

• For basic community tax, it is a minimum of Php 5.

• There will be an additional tax of Php 1 for every Php 1, 000 of gross earnings for the previous year

• Php 1 tax will be added for every Php 1, 000 of property’s total assessed value

For corporations

• For basic community tax, it is a minimum of Php 5

• There will be an additional tax of Php 2 for every Php 5, 000 of gross earnings for the previous year 

• Php 2 will be added for every Php 5, 000 of the property’s total assessed value

Take Note: The total amount charged should not be more than Php 5 ,000.

Steps in getting a community tax certificate (Cedula)

Those who need to get a community tax certificate for the first time and don't know how to do it, we got you! Here are the steps on how you can acquire a cedula from your barangay, municipality, or city government:

1. In order to apply for a cedula, you must go to the appropriate counter or window at the local government office where you reside.

2. In order to complete the Community Tax Declaration Form, you must provide the following information:

• Full name

• Address

• Citizenship

• Civil status

• Profession/occupation

• Birthdate

• Place of birth

• Height

• Weight

• Tax Identification Number (TIN)

• Gross annual income (for employed)

• Signature

3. Present a government-issued valid ID along with the completed form and submit it to your municipal treasurer's office.

4. The issuing officer will now request you to pay the fees and sign the copies of your application.

5. A copy of your cedula will then be issued to you immediately.

Getting a cedula online

Cedula applications can't be submitted online in all barangays, cities, and provinces in the Philippines. For those who live in Manila, San Fernando in La Union, or Cebu, you may complete the Community Tax Declaration Form online, print it, and bring it to the city hall when you pay your fees.

For residents of Manila, you don't have to visit the Manila City Hall to get your Cedula as you can now download the Go! Manila app on your android smartphones to acquire one.

Where can I use the community tax certificate (Cedula)?

A cedula or community tax certificate number is nevertheless needed in many transactions, although the paper itself is not often required. The COVID-19 vaccine may also be obtained using your cedula as an acceptable form of ID. The cedula may be provided together with your PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN).

Meanwhile, here are just a few of the government service and other official business or transactions in which you will be required to present a community tax certificate or cedula:

• Applying for a job

• Applying for licenses, receipts, and certificates from government offices

• Filing Income Tax Returns (ITR)

• Proof of Payment of dues to exercise a professional requirement

• Proof of Residency requirement

• Registering a new business

• Receiving payment or salary from government agencies

• Seeking notarization of documents

• Proof of Ownership of Real Estate Properties requirement

The community tax certificate is really essential especially if you want to start your real estate investment by purchasing real property.

In Lumina Homes, cedula is one of the standard documents that you would need to prepare after you make your home reservations whether online or by visiting the nearest Lumina Homes community in your area.

Get your home reservations now, start your homeownership journey with us through bank financing and enjoy seven (7) perks and exciting promos from Lumina Homes such as FREE Water Application Fee, FREE Electronic Application Fee, FREE HOA Membership Fee, FREE Loan Processing, FREE Title Processing, LONGER DOWNPAYMENT TERM, and LOWER Monthly Downpayment.

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