Sen. Win seeks easier payment of taxes
For sustained revenue growth
SENATOR Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian wants to make paying taxes easier for everyone giving a premium to taxpayers’ welfare and guaranteeing sustained revenue growth for the country.
“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 as he filed Senate Bill [SB] 1346, which introduces administrative tax reforms by amending certain provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.
Gatchalian proposes to put in place a tax administration system that is effective and expedient which will encourage taxpayers to pay their taxes truthfully and timely by providing taxpayers the option of filing their returns and paying the taxes due through electronic means.
Gatchalian also wants 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.
The chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee also proposes to remove the option to pay internal revenue taxes to a city or municipal treasurer with jurisdiction over the taxpayer, allowing the adjustment of the VAT exemption threshold based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) not later than January 1, 2023, and every three years after that, and ensure the availability of registration facilities to taxpayers not residing in the country.
According to him, once enacted into law, the proposed bill will 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. 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,” the senator stressed.
Gatchalian had earlier filed a separate bill that seeks the creation of the “Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights and Obligations Act”, which aims to empower taxpayers by educating them on their basic rights and obligations.
SB No. 1199 also seeks the creation of the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate that would take the cudgels for taxpayers by ensuring that their rights are safeguarded.
