Rappler's latest stories on tax
Tolentino wants tax deductions for employees working from home
Senator Francis Tolentino wants employees to receive tax deductions for the additional electricity consumption under the work-from-home scheme, or for employers to cover for the bill increase

Saudi triples VAT in unpopular virus-led austerity push
Retailers in Saudi Arabia report a sharp uptick in sales this week of everything from gold and electronics to cars and building materials, as shoppers sought to stock up before VAT is raised to 15%

Russia to hike taxes on high earners after coronavirus
Russian President Vladimir Putin says extra revenues from higher taxes starting 2021 would be used for 'treating children with severe rare diseases'

Supreme Court affirms condo dues not subject to tax
The Supreme Court says association dues and other assessment charges do not form part of a condominium corporation's gross income

BIR: Online sellers earning less than P250,000 a year won't be taxed
But they still need to register, or else face penalties, says the Bureau of Internal Revenue
BIR extends application for tax amnesty to December 31
The Bureau of Internal Revenue extends amnesty application for tax delinquents from June 22 to the end of the year

Taxes and tax relief: How much do I owe the gov't?
This webinar hosted by Project Lifeline will happen on Friday, June 12, at 2 pm

Tax the rich? Post-pandemic recovery idea finds favor in UK
Mass unemployment, bankruptcies, and other potential shocks could hit the richest, but supporters of tax reform say they should still shoulder more of the burden

Indonesia planning 10% tax on foreign digital services
Products and services including video games, music and movie streaming could be subject to the levy, the Indonesian government says

U.S. Supreme Court to take on Trump taxes, presidential immunity
The hearing gives time for the justices to render a decision before the presidential election in November, as Donald Trump seeks a second term

[OPINION] Taxes and the coronavirus pandemic: An open letter to lawmakers
Lawmakers must end injustice by legislating tax policy reforms to help all businesses adjust to the new normal

Marcos says pushing for tax reform amid pandemic 'very bad timing'
NEDA Acting Secretary Karl Chua says the comprehensive tax reform measures pending at the Senate should be passed to support the coronavirus war chest. But these reforms will not increase government revenue.

U.S. Supreme Court to hear Trump taxes case in May
The US Supreme Court says it will hear the consolidated cases by telephone conference in May, a move which could allow it to deliver a ruling before the November presidential election

#AskTheTaxWhiz: Further extension of deadlines, suspension of BIR audit
The Philippine Tax Whiz clarifies the implications of extending deadlines and suspending Bureau of Internal Revenue audits during the coronavirus lockdown

#AskTheTaxWhiz: Tax relief for taxpayers during the 'enhanced community quarantine'
The Philippine Tax Whiz discusses the various Bureau of Internal Revenue circulars extending deadlines

BIR extends tax filing deadline to May 15
The Bureau of Internal Revenue says the extension will lead to a shortfall in tax collections of around P145 billion
Lawmakers ask DOF, BIR: Don’t be ‘heartless,' extend tax filing deadline
'Hindi kami nanghihingi ng pera. Magbabayad kami ng buwis. Pero huwag mo naman sabihin sa amin na magbayad kami 2 araw matapos ang quarantine na in-impose niyo,' says Congressman Joey Salceda

[ANALYSIS] Amid the coronavirus crisis, where have all the sin tax funds gone?
'The success of the Sin Tax Law should have been a health system responding well to the COVID-19 emergency'

House approves bill hiking road users' tax starting 2020
The proposed tax increases are expected to generate P9 billion that would go to the general fund for road safety and the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program

Territorial dispute: Pia Cayetano fumes over Marcos tackling Citira at committee hearing
'Please don’t try to mediate,' Senator Pia Cayetano, chair of the ways and means committee, tells fellow senators. 'Resolve the jurisdictional issue.'

Duterte certifies Citira bill as urgent
President Rodrigo Duterte's certification allows the Senate to pass the bill on 2nd and 3rd readings on the same day

PEZA asks Senate to delay Citira passage amid coronavirus crisis
With the coronavirus crisis, Philippine Economic Zone Authority chief Charito Plaza finds an opening to appeal against the Citira bill anew

Wealthy Indonesians use names of low-income people to avoid paying tax
Registering a car, a company or other property in the names of low-income people and subordinates is a common scheme used by wealthy Indonesians to avoid paying tax

Bill lowering corporate tax moves to Senate plenary
The Department of Finance hopes Citira will hurdle the Senate before Congress goes on break by March 14

Tax court allows Makati gov't to check Smart's books over P3.2-B tax case
The Court of Tax Appeals says the telco's financial records are needed to determine the veracity of the Makati City government's claim that Smart owes it P3.246 billion in taxes

#AskTheTaxWhiz: Benefits from new law on alcohol, cigarette excise tax
The Philippine Tax Whiz discusses the recently signed law raising excise tax on alcohol and tobacco products

Over 10% of retailers already imposed last round of fuel tax hike – DOE
The final increase in excise tax under the TRAIN law can only be imposed on new stocks acquired in 2020, not on oil produced or imported in 2019

Duterte signs new taxes on alcohol, e-cigarettes into law
(UPDATED) Beer will be roughly P35 more expensive once the new tax rates kick in

France makes proposals to U.S. to resolve tech tax row
'There are possibilities available, we are working with (US Treasury Secretary) Steven Mnuchin. I made several proposals to him,' French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire says

New year, more taxes: Last fuel hike under TRAIN takes effect
Under the final tranche, excise tax for gasoline and kerosene will increase by P1 per liter, while diesel prices will go up by P1.50

DOE to oil firms: Use up old inventory first before slapping new tax
The Department of Energy says oil companies may face large-scale estafa charges if they slap the TRAIN law's new taxes on old stocks in 2020

New taxes on alcohol, tobacco await Duterte's signature
But the bill won't bring significant revenues for the implementation of the Universal Health Care law as originally planned

Google settles $327 million tax bill in Australia
'This settlement is another great outcome for the Australian tax system,' says Australian Tax Office Deputy Commissioner Mark Konza

U.S. Supreme Court to hear Trump tax return cases in 2020
A Supreme Court ruling in the case would come less than 6 months before Americans go to the polls in November 2020

In nearly 3-year drug trial, DOJ yet to submit AMLC report vs De Lima
'Either the AMLC report is being manufactured...or the DOJ is simply engaged in a drawn-out fishing expedition,' says the camp of detained Senator Leila de Lima
House bill reforming real property valuation passed on 2nd reading
Voting on 2nd reading, lawmakers give their nod to the 3rd package under the Duterte government's Comprehensive Tax Reform Program

[ANALYSIS | Point of Law] A correct move for our stock market?
The proposed Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act appears unsound, and Congress may want to rethink it before it's too late

Trump asks Supreme Court to protect his tax returns
The US president's attorneys argue that Trump enjoys immunity both from prosecution and from any acts of investigation

U.S. Congress can still seek Trump tax records, court decides
The decision marked the second time an appeals court has denied Donald Trump's attempt to avoid a House subpoena that calls for him to turn over 8 years of accounting documents

Rappler, Ressa seek outright dismissal of tax cases at CTA
Rappler argues that BIR's own witnesses admit this is the first time that a holding company that issued PDRs is being categorized as a 'securities dealer'
Duterte certifies as urgent bill increasing cigarette, alcohol taxes
President Rodrigo Duterte says increasing taxes on cigarettes and alcohol would 'generate additional revenue' for universal health care

House panel OKs bill increasing road users’ tax starting 2020
House committee on ways and means chairperson Joey Salceda estimates the tax increases would yield P9 billion, which would help fund the PUV Modernization Program

DOF not too keen on taxing salty products
'Meron diyang food labeling types of intervention.... So nandoon palang ‘yung usapan, wala pang specific proposal para dito sa panukalang ito,' says Finance Assistant Secretary Tony Lambino

Sandiganbayan convicts 3 ex-DOF officials over tax credit fraud
Former DOF officials Uldarico Andutan Jr, Raul de Vera, and Rosanna Diala are sentenced to 6 years in jail over the 'fraudulent approval' of a P6-million tax credit certificate for Jam Transit

After sugary drinks, DOH eyes tax on salty food
(UPDATED) Philippine health officials mull over the measure following a recent report that Filipinos consume far more salt than the World Health Organization recommendation

#AskTheTaxWhiz: Things you should know about online businesses
Do online businesses still need to register their business and pay taxes? How will the ongoing tax reforms affect them? The Philippine Tax Whiz answers these questions.

DOF backs more taxes for online gambling firms
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez supports the plan of Albay Representative Joey Salceda to slap more taxes on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators and their service providers

TUCP fears job losses under Citira bill
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines urges government agencies to put in place a 'genuine transition program' for displaced workers before Citira's implementation – not after

EU removes Switzerland, UAE from tax haven list
The European Union says Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates are among the countries which have implemented tax reforms

In a twist, PEZA now supports Citira bill
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority Board changes its tune after a 'cordial' meeting and now backs the bill seeking to rationalize tax perks
