BIR plan for licensed professionals called an ‘unnecessary imposition’

MANILA, Philippines – A proposal by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to require professionals to attach their income tax return (ITR) forms when renewing their licenses with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) is an “unnecessary imposition,” an official of the Philippine Medical Association told Radyo INQUIRER 990AM Friday.

In an interview, PMA president Dr. Leo Olarte said that what the BIR would be imposing would be too much especially for medical professionals who were “prepared to render public service during emergencies.”

BIR Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares has said that they were working on a new regulation with the PRC to require professionals to present their ITRs upon license renewal as proof that they have paid the correct taxes.

Henares claimed that there were many professionals nationwide who only paid a small fraction of their taxes.

But Olarte said that “such an administrative order should apply to all and not just a particular group. We doctors pay our taxes—we have free medical missions—we are always giving free medical services.”

“I don’t think they should impose such a requirement when we renew our licenses. This will be an added burden to us professionals and this requires a law, not just an Administrative Order—that is not enough. There has to be a law enacted by Congress,” he added.
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