MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) was cautioned yesterday against stunting the growth of small enterprises in taxing self-employed professionals and individuals.
Bangon Pilipinas senatorial candidate Eddie Villanueva said the BIR should adopt specific measures to ensure that the auditing of self-employed professionals and individuals paying taxes below P200,000 yearly will not be used as a barrier to harass micro enterprises like sari-sari stores.
“What we are afraid of is that in our desire to increase our tax collection, we will be creating another barrier that would prevent poor Filipinos from starting a small business to help improve their family’s future,†he said.
The BIR must issue details on the scope of audit, Villanueva said.
Data from the BIR showed that self-employed individuals and professionals paid P15.1 billion in income taxes last year.
Employees whose taxes are withheld automatically paid higher taxes at P181.7 billion.