Solon eyes tax on having too many gadgets

Following the controversial measure seeking to impose taxes on vanity products, a lawmaker is planning to push for a bill imposing additional taxes on excessive purchases of electronic gadgets as well as appliances, by Tina Panganiban-Perez reported on "24 Oras" Friday.

PBA Party-list Rep. Mark Aeron Sambar will propose the bill.

"We need cellphones but we don't need five or six cellphones or 10 cellphones. That's the aim of this bill, it's just to prevent people from buying too much on a certain product and at the same time generating income for the government," Sambar said.

The report noted that the framework for the measure is still in the works in order to identify and provide clarity on what electronic gadgets are needed to be taxed in case of excessive buying, what gadgets are exempted, and how to monitor the buying behavior of a consumer.

According to Sambar, the tax identification number could be presented to a cashier for monitoring of the number of gadgets purchased.

This will be reflected in the records of a tax payer.

If the number of items bought did not exceed the limit stated in the bill, the customer could show receipts to the Bureau of Internal Revenue to avail of a tax rebate.

Sambar wants to impose a five-percent tax, wherein part of the proceeds collected will be allocated for Electronic Waste Disposal and Management Program for old gadgets.

People interviewed by GMA News expressed mixed reactions to the proposed measure.

The Department of Finance said it would look into the bill but it took note that there are already other forms of taxes such as value added tax and importation dues imposed on gadgets and appliances.

"We have to review first kasi unang-una sa lahat kailangan natin malaman ano ba yung target na income na kailangang ma-generate at kung paano nila ito ita-tax. Kung ano bang kind of tax, 'yung specifics para makita natin kung magagamit natin siya or kung is it legal?," DOF spokesperson Paola Alvarez said. —John Ted Cordero/NB, GMA News