Iginiit ni Senador Sonny Angara na dapat ay walang buwis ang insurance premiums na babayaran ng mga employers para sa kanilang mga manggagawa.

Kasabay nito, binatikos ni Angara ang Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) sa pag-iisyu ng Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) 50-2018 sa pagpapataw ng buwis sa health insurance premiums kahit wala ito sa probisyon ng Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.

“The tax reform was enacted primarily to increase the purchasing power of each taxpayer who has been overburdened by the inequitable and unprogressive income tax that has not been changed for almost two decades. The health of its citizens remain a primary concern of the government, thus, all support and assistance should be given to ensure that Filipinos, especially the workers, remain fit and healthy,” ani Angara.

Nauna nang inilatag ng RMC ang pagpapataw ng P90,000 buwis sa mga ibinabayad ng kumpanya sa group insurance, na taliwas sa TRAIN law.

“This means that medical insurance premiums paid by the employers for all employees should be subjected to income tax and fringe benefit tax.” dagdag pa ni Angara.

-Leonel M. Abasola