Suspend tax on online sellers until end of 2020, says Sen. Hontiveros

Last updated on May 6th, 2021 at 09:09 am

MANILA – Senator Risa Hontiveros has called for the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to suspend its planned tax collections for online sellers as the country is trying to curb the spread coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Under the Resolution 453, Hontiveros is urging the Senate to investigate BIR’s memorandum circular issued this month. The BIR needs to clarify the registration and taxing of online sellers a number of government agency expressed different position regarding the matter.

According to Hontiveros, BIR should suspend the implementation of the memorandum ‘until the end of the year’ as it is ‘ill timed and insensitive’ during this health crisis.

The senator also urge the tax agency to go after huge digital enterprises. The revenue policies should always be sensitive to the struggles of Filipinos trying to survive in these difficult times.

There are also calls for BIR to digitalized the registrations to avoid business owners to lineup in BIR offices as it exposes them to the health risks associated with the coronavirus and may cause it to spread further. Malacañang ealier this month, clarified that the tax should only be applied for online businesses earning beyond P250,000 annually.

Related News: https://www.theasianaffairs.com/philippines/2020/06/13/palace-online-sellers-earning-below-%e2%82%b1250000-wont-need-to-pay-tax/