Gatchalian files bill seeking tax payment processes easier
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is seeking passage of a bill that would help ease taxpayers woes in paying their tax duties.
Gatchalian, in filing Senate Bill No. 1346, said it is imperative that the government to put in place a tax administration system that is effective and expedient to encourage taxpayers to pay their taxes truthfully and timely.
Aside from providing taxpayers the option of filing their returns and paying the taxes due through electronic means, the senator said proposes to allow the payment of taxes to any authorized agent bank (AAB), and not only limited to AABs in the revenue district office where the taxpayer is registered.
“For the benefit of our taxpayers, we need to simplify the process of paying taxes as we endeavor to enhance tax compliance and strengthen taxpayer’s rights,” Gatchalian said in Senate Bill 1346.
The bill specifically aims to introduce administrative tax reforms by amending certain provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.
The chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee also proposed that the option to pay internal revenue taxes to a city or municipal treasurer with jurisdiction over the taxpayer be removed.
The bill also seeks to allow the adjustment of the Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption threshold based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) not later than January 1, 2023, and every three years thereafter.
The bill also proposes registration facilities be made available to taxpayers who are not residing in the Philippines.
Once enacted into law, Gatchalian said he is confident the measure would not only give a premium to taxpayers’ welfare, but also guarantee sustained revenue growth for the country.
“Ang ating panukalang batas ay naglalayong gawing moderno ang pangangasiwa ng buwis at makapagtatag ng mga mekanismo para lalo pa nating mapahusay at gawing mas epektibo ang pangongolekta ng buwis (Our proposed law specifically seeks to modernize our tax payment system and establish a mechanism that would improve our tax collection system),” he said.
“Inaasahan natin na ang mga hakbang na ito ay lalong maghihikayat sa ating mga taxpayers na gawin ang kanilang tungkulin na magbayad ng wastong buwis (We expect that these kind of interventions would encourage our taxpayers to comply and pay their taxes correctly,” Gatchalian stressed.