MISSING TAX DECLARATION

Broker: Juan, quick question. I’m about to close a deal tomorrow and the owner can’t find the original Tax Declaration. Is that a problem?

Juan: Not necessarily. For title transfers, what’s usually required is a CERTIFIED TRUE COPY of the Tax Declaration from the City Assessor’s Office — not the owner’s physical copy.

The reason is simple: assessment values get updated from time to time, and owners are often notified without being issued a new physical copy immediately. In many cases, the owner’s copy is already outdated.

That’s why brokers, banks, and government offices rely on a freshly issued certified copy. It confirms that the document reflects the latest assessment details on record.

Broker: Ahh okay. Got it.

Juan: Wait. Is this a newly turned-over condo?

Broker: Yes.

Juan: Then check one more thing carefully.

Sometimes developers are able to transfer the Condominium Certificate of Title (CCT) to the buyer first, while the Tax Declaration is still under the developer’s name. The transfer of the Tax Dec can lag behind.

Broker: But the closing’s tomorrow. We don’t have time to procure a new Tax Dec.

Juan: That’s fine. Just verify whose name appears in the City Assessor records.

Check documents like:

Real Property Tax (RPT) receipts

Tax Clearance

If those still show the developer as owner, disclose it properly to the buyer so expectations are clear.

Broker: I checked. It’s already under the seller’s name.

Juan: Ah, then you’re probably safe. The missing owner’s copy shouldn’t derail the transaction.