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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Robredo: Micro enterprises online can avail of benefits under BMBE law

Robredo: Micro enterprises online can avail of benefits under BMBE law

Published Jun 14, 2020 12:00 am
By Raymund Antonio Vice President Leni Robredo is taking the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) decision to tax online sellers with a grain of salt, noting that an existing law can be applied instead for small entrepreneurs to drive the economy better. Vice-President Leni Robredo, speaks duringa press conference at her office in Quezon City. Robredo accpeted the position given to her by President Rodrigo Duterte to co-chair the Anti-Illegal Drugs Council. (Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN) Vice-President Leni Robredo
(Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) “Iyong maliit na online sellers pwede mag-avail nito, mas maigi sana (It would be better if small online sellers can avail of this),” Robredo said on her Sunday radio show, referring to Republic Act No. 9178 or the Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE) Law. “Sana ito mga nagdidiskarte, ine-encourage na patuloy maghanap ng paraan (I hope they would encourage those who find ways to cope),” she said. Robredo said the BMBE Law, enacted in 2002, provides benefits such as tax exemption and market assistance to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). “Iyong mga negosyo na less than P3 million ’yung asset ay hindi kailangan magbayad ng taxes, kailangan lang mag-register (Those businesses with less than P3 million in assets don’t have to pay taxes, they only need to register),” she said. “Hindi lang magbayad ng taxes, pero tutulungan pa ang negosyo ng access sa mga tulong (It’s not only regarding the payment of taxes, but it also helps businesses be given access to assistance),” Robredo added. The vice president scored the government for taxing online resellers who want to make an income to fend for their families amid the pandemic while the Chinese-run Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs) owe the government billions in unpaid taxes. “Iyong mga nag-o-online nagsasarili na diskarte, tapos hahabulin para magbayad ng buwis. Iba ang dating, tapos iyong POGO P50 billion (The online sellers find their own ways to cope, then you run after them to collect taxes, while POGOs P50 billion),” she said. Last week, BIR issued a memorandum asking online sellers to register their businesses and declare past transactions before July 31. In Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 60-2020, the BIR said online sellers and other clients having transactions made through digital platforms should follow to “ensure that their business are registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 236 of the Tax Code, as amended, and that they are tax compliant." Exempted from paying taxes are online sellers with annual revenues below P250,000.
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