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What Can We Do with High Local Taxes in the Philippines?

High local business taxes in the Philippines

The proposed income tax reforms have been hogging the headlines lately. Based on the latest draft at end of February 2017, an annual basic salary of P250,000 that used to be taxed as high as P37,500, will now be ZERO (not a typo). Everyone can’t wait for this to happen. It’s about time to experience a tax REDUCTION for a change.

But while national taxes (e.g. income taxes) are getting all the media attention, there is set of taxes that are under the radar, and have risen significantly in recent years. I’m referring to city/municipal or “local” taxes.

Read MoreWhat Can We Do with High Local Taxes in the Philippines?

How President Trump May Hurt (or Help) the Philippine BPO Industry

  • Evan Tan 

President Trump and the Philippine BPO Industry

There have been various news coverage on the election of Donald Trump, and how Trump’s “America First” policies could negatively impact our country’s thriving business process outsourcing or BPO industry. Many are concerned of possible US legislation that could discourage companies from further outsourcing. Or that they’ll make offshore services more expensive through some form of “border tax”. Analysts estimates well over 50% of BPO revenues emanating from the US or US companies. And some industry stakeholders, especially BPO employees, are frankly scared.

Read MoreHow President Trump May Hurt (or Help) the Philippine BPO Industry

With Lower Income Taxes, How Will Duterte Deal with the Philippines’ Huge National Debt?

  • Evan Tan 
Duterte's Solution to Philippine Debt Despite Lower Income Taxes

President Duterte’s photo taken from DuterteNews.com

The Duterte administration is aware of the potential risk of lowering Philippine income taxes. This is how he might manage the Philippines’ tremendous national debt—in the face of rising interest rates.

Ever wondered how much is the Philippines’ total debt?

Can you guess without Googling it? No?

Read MoreWith Lower Income Taxes, How Will Duterte Deal with the Philippines’ Huge National Debt?

Income tax rate of just 1%?

The Department of Finance has just released more info on proposed tax reform proposals it aims to be approved next year, and yes it includes much lower income tax rates. How much lower? How about as low as 1%? Have I got your attention? But just who are qualified under… Read MoreIncome tax rate of just 1%?

OFWs Don’t Pay Income Taxes. Shouldn’t Online Filipino Freelancers Be Exempted, Too?

Online Filipino Freelancers Exempted from Income Tax

Should Filipino freelancers pay income tax?

Without divulging my age, let’s just say I was once a patron of prepaid internet ISP cards during the dark ages where people back then would have freaked out if someone had showed them the IPhone. Anyone remember anticipating that fax sound to end so we could finally start surfing, only to have your sibling pick up the phone extension in the other room? Oh that was so annoying…

But technology and the internet has come a long way. It has even disrupted the very employment landscape and allowed Filipinos to compete for virtually any job in the world, right at the comfort of home. Graphic design, bookkeeping, virtual assistants – the list is endless, and out of this technological revolution an ever growing community of online freelancers has emerged. Some describe online freelancing to be a bit similar to working abroad, only this time you get to do it even in pajamas.

It therefore is not surprising for some online freelancers to think they enjoy the same “tax exempt” status as OFWs, and if not, why not? Why not us too?

Read MoreOFWs Don’t Pay Income Taxes. Shouldn’t Online Filipino Freelancers Be Exempted, Too?