MANILA, Philippines – Hindi maaaring magpataw ang Bureau of Internal Revenue ng 1% withholding tax sa mga online sellers nang walang isinagawang kunsultasyon at batas para rito.
Ito ang babala ni House Committee on Ways and Means Chairperson Joey Salceda sa harap ng nakatakdang pagpapataw ng witholding tax ng BIR sa mga online sellers pagsapit ng Disyembre.
“It would be better if they wait for the law to be passed. Because before you collect taxes from the people, you need to listen to them first. They will do it (1%) through Executive Order or RMC (Revenue Memorandum Circular), but there is already a bill that passed the crucible of public opinion in the House when it comes to taxing digital services, and that is pending in the Senate,”paliwanag ni Salceda.
“They should wait for that to be passed so their mandate will emanate from the House,” giit pa nito.
Sinabi ni Salceda na bago magpataw ang BIR ng ganitong buwis sa mga online sellers ay dapat nagkaroon muna ng kunsultasyon.
“there should first be a comprehensive discussion on why there should be a separate taxation scheme for online sellers as compared with those with physical shops that are already paying tax dues. People should understand that those with physical stores are affected by the emergence of goods being sold over digital platforms and that it could be unfair if only those with physical stores are being imposed with tax dues,” paliwanag pa ni Salceda.
Muling iginiit ng mambabatas na ang anumang hakbang sa pagpapataw ng buwis ay dapat idaan sa legal.
“we cannot clamp down on one sector of our economy when there is nothing to gain at the end of it all. So, it would be better if any measure on that will be done via legislation,” pagtatapos pa ni Salceda. Gail Mendoza
