By Jun Ramirez
Many small business operators are asking the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to extend the deadline for the submission of the Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS) application.
Bureau of Internal Revenue
(MANILA BULLETIN)
The program expired the other day depriving thousands of cash-starved workers of financial assistance they urgently need in this time of grave economic hardships caused by the corona virus pandemic.
Earlier, revenue officials hinted that the Department of Finance, the proponent of the P51-billion SBWS, might extend the availment period for at least one week.
They blamed business owners, or those operating with skeleton forces of negligence for not submitting the application on time.
"The availment of cash assistance is very simple for business operators as we require them only to inform us via email of their intention while we handle other issues," said a revenue official who declined to be named.
He added, "it is not for him (employer) to decide whether he is qualified or not to get the subsidy."
Revenue officials said they have complete computer data about the tax compliance of the business operators, the essential criteria for the grant of the subsidy.
The cash support is equivalent to P10,000 and P16,000 for each of the estimated 3.5 million workers nationwide who were not paid for the months of March and April due temporary stoppage of operations as a result of the Enhanced Community Quarantine.
The Social Security System will release the cash aid to individual workers once the BIR issues the tax clearance.
The first installment of P5,000 and P8,000 is scheduled to be delivered to the beneficiaries on May 15 and the balance at the end of the month.