The United Filipino Consumers and Commuters (UFCC) is calling on the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to reconsider its plan of imposing a creditable withholding tax of one percent on one-half of the gross remittances of online platform providers to their partner sellers or merchants.
UFCC president Rodolfo Javellana, Jr. said the proposed policy by the BIR “is a heavy blow to the ordinary Filipino people who will suffer the effects of the new tax.”.
“Our economy has not yet recovered fully from the pandemic that brought us low. Our countrymen continue to suffer with the successive increases in prices of commodities, gasoline, electricity, and others,” Javellana said.
“At a time when the country has yet to fully recover from the crippling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, introducing new taxes that will ultimately hurt the poor is the last thing the country needs right now,” he stressed.
“The people are still suffering, the government should not add to their burdens,” he added.
UFCC was concerned that the plan to have the new one percent withholding tax will be the beginning of more taxes to be imposed upon the already suffering public.
It has already been reported that the Department of Finance (DOF) plans to introduce new and higher taxes in 2024.
“We appeal to President Marcos to be on the side of the ordinary Filipinos in our crusade against new anti-poor tax measures,” Javellana said.
“We believe you will fulfill your promise that you are not in favor of imposing new taxes that will make the people suffer, and your promise your administration will focus on fighting graft and corruption alongside efficient revenue collection,” he said.
“The public is counting on you on this, Mr. President. Hopefully the DOF and the BIR listen to you,” Javellana noted.