Senior citizens can get discount without TIN

Senior citizens can now avail themselves of the mandated 20-percent discounts on services without having to show their Tax Identification Number (TIN) when making transactions, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said yesterday.

DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral said the Department of Finance, through the Bureau of Internal Revenue, has amended a ruling requiring business establishments to demand the TIN of senior citizens.

"We thank the DOF for heeding our request. Our older persons can now enjoy their discount privileges, less the hassles," she added.

Under Revenue Regulations 4-2006, establishments giving sales discounts to qualified senior citizens had to keep separate and accurate records of the elders’ TIN.

TIN was required before establishments could claim the sales discount they gave to senior citizens as deductions from their gross income.

The DSWD questioned the policy because senior citizens, who are mostly retirees, no longer have TINs.

Senior citizens are entitled to free medical and dental services in government facilities; exemption from training fees for socio economic programs and educational assistance.

They also enjoy "express lane’’ services in all private commercial and government establishments and 50 percent discount on bills on utilities such as water, electricity and telephone, and other services.