BIR to online sellers: Senior, PWD 20% discount mandatory
By Jun Ramirez and Jun Ramirez
Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. has directed online sellers of goods and services to give the 20 percent discount to senior citizens (SC) and persons with disabilities (PWD) on their purchases.
The move comes in response to numerous complaints about online merchants not honoring their discount privilege.
Lumagui emphasized that online platforms must comply with the mandatory discounts specified in Revenue Regulations No. 8-2023.
He clarified that for online purchases, the signature of SC/PWD is not required, but their Identification card number should still be provided.
This new regulation aligns with Lumagui's commitment to enhancing taxpayer service and reflects the bureau's transformation into a service-oriented agency, not only on collection goal fulfillment.
Under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, failure to grant the discount can lead to the responsible person being subject to imprisonment for up to six years and a fine ranging from P50,000 to P100,000.