Government employees eye tax exemption hike

GOVERNMENT employees in Western Visayas are hoping for an increase of tax exemption ceiling of benefits from P30,000 to P60,000 in a move to meet the increasing current economic trends.

The Development Administration Committee (DAC) filed Resolution 13 and unanimously approved by Regional Development Council (RDC6) during a recent RDC meeting in the province of Antique by calling for an increase of tax exemption ceiling of benefits of government employees.

The DAC resolution asked the RDC to support the proposal to increase the tax exemption ceiling from P30,000 to P60,000 based on the necessity to balance the needs of government employees and the goal of the government to generate higher revenues such as improved tax administration, generate higher revenues from sin taxes and stricter implementation of reforms in government spending.

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago has filed SB 2739, which seeks to raise the tax exemption ceiling to P40,000, while Senator Ralph Recto filed SB 2879 which raises the exemption ceiling to P60,000. (Lydia C. Pendon)