Hontiveros files resolution urging BIR to suspend ‘insensitive’ tax memo on online sellers until end of 2020

By JOHN CARLO M. CAHINHINAN

Senator Risa Hontiveros has formalized her call for the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to recall its recent memorandum circular on the supposed mandatory registration and imposition of new taxes on online sellers.

Hontiveros filed Senate Resolution No. 453, which calls on for an inquiry over the BIR’s Memorandum Circular (MC) 60-2020 which mandates all online sellers to register with the bureau and pay due taxes.

Hontiveros’ resolution also urges the BIR to suspend “until the end of the year” the said memo, which has been roundly criticized for being “ill-timed and insensitive.”

Hontiveros stressed that it is best for everybody’s interests if the BIR suspends the implementation of the memo until December 31 of this year while government agencies review and craft better policy guidelines on how online entrepreneurs should register or pay taxes.

“Magulo at mahirap sundin ang BIR memo, lalo na’t paiba-iba ang sinasabi ng mga ahensiya ng pamahaalan ukol ditto,” said Hontiveros.

She noted that as presently worded, the BIR memo orders all online sellers—even those considered as “subsistence entrepreneurs” or those selling products to earn for their families’ basic daily needs—to physically troop the tax agency’s offices and register for tax purposes.

Hontiveros warned that requiring people to congregate at the BIR’s offices likewise “exposes them to the health risks associated with COVID-19 and might also lead to further spreading the disease and prolonging the pandemic.”

“Magkaroon muna ng digital platform for registration,” she added.

According to Hontiveros, “online sellers are actually willing to comply with revenue policies as long as these are clear, comprehensive and un-oppressive.”

“Basta hindi pahirap at delikado ang registration, mabilis na susunod ang mga kababayan natin”, she stressed.

“Our revenue policies should be responsive to the difficulties faced by many Filipinos during this pandemic. Madami sa mga bagong online sellers ay nawalan ng trabaho o negosyo at ngayon ay dumidiskarte sa internet. Maliit lang ang kinikita nila, wala silang masasakyan papunta sa mga opisina ng BIR, at delikado sa kalusugan ng pamilya nila kapag lumabas sila,” said Hontiveros.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)