MANILA -The Makati Business Club (MBC) on Thursday urged lawmakers to pass a bill that will make tax payments easier, which is seen as a huge help for local small and micro taxpayers.
“We respectfully encourage the Senate to pass a version of the bill following interpellation and after making amendments it may deem necessary,” the business group said, adding that they are praying that the measure will be enacted into law this year.
The call was made following the approval earlier of the Ease of Paying Taxes bill by the Senate Ways and Means Committee, led by Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian, which then was filed as a numbered bill on Monday, May 22.
The business group said they were looking forward to the proposed changes, such as better classification of taxpayers into micro, small, medium and large categories, as well as allocating a special unit for each category.
It also cited simplified tax returns and processes for micro and small taxpayers as another change they are looking forward to.
Similarly, the MBC pointed to proposed changes that will allow taxpayers to file and pay taxes in any revenue district office, as well as offering people a choice whether to file and pay all taxes in-person or through electronic means.
The counterpart tax measure has been approved at the House of Representatives, back in September of 2022, making the Senate bill the second hurdle it must pass before it can be enacted into a law after getting the President’s approval.
-Alden M. Monzon
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