Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has dismissed as “ill-timed” and “insensitive” the move of the BIR to tax online sellers who are still reeling from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Dahil sa kailangang mapanatili pa rin ang social distancing lalo na’t wala pang nadidiskubreng bakuna sa COVID-19, mas hinihikayat pa nga natin ang lahat na gumamit ng teknolohiya para lumipat na sa tinatawag na digital economy,” he added.and settle their taxes not later than July 31.
The Department of Finance , of which the BIR is one of the revenue-generating agencies under the DOF, said that the move waswho have unreported sales or unpaid taxes, but rather to encourage them to register with the BIR. Gatchalian, meanwhile, also warned that “premature taxation” on online sellers at the height of the pandemic “will impede the growth of the country’s growing digital economy.”
He then urged the government to help create a “vibrant digital economy” by resolving some key concerns of the eCommerce industry, such as lack of trust, improving internet and logistics infrastructures, and lack of governing entity at the regional level. “Before we impose new taxes on the digital economy, we should first think of ways on how we are going to develop this industry in order to provide more jobs and opportunities to all Filipinos,” he said.“I believe premature taxation will only do harm than good to our growing digital economy,” Gatchalian said.
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