Palace: No new taxes, but self-employed must pay

Malacañang on Wednesday dismissed reports that the Aquino administration is contemplating on new taxes the consumer would have to bear, but vowed instead to increase collections from self-employed professionals. “We have no new tax measures,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a briefing, adding that any additional taxes will be discussed by the incoming 16th Congress. “The next Congress will be by July. We will be coming up with our own legislative agenda [by then,]” Laceirda said, noting that as of now, the different government agencies have yet to propose anything. “I have not seen the proposed legislative agenda from the departments yet, so we’ll let you know. But, as far as I know, there are no plans,” he said. Lacierda reminded the public that one of President Aquino’s campaign promises was not to surprise and burden FIlipinos with more taxes and, instead, will stage a yearly review of the  fiscal situation.   “Remember, the President’s promise is that we’ll look on whether to increase taxes on a year-to-year basis,” Lacierda said, noting the Finance Department has not yet hinted about any new tax. “We have not seen anything yet on the side of the Finance, suggesting a new tax. We will let you know if there’s any legislative proposal coming from our end,” he said. Increasing tax collections Another Palace official reiterated that the government has its eyes set on increasing tax collections from self-employed professionals. “[The Bureau of Internal Revenue is looking] at areas where tax payments have been historically low like professionals and self-employed and have concentrated collection efforts in those areas,” Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang told GMA News Online in a text message Tuesday. The BIR fell short of its Febuary target, raking in P74.52 billion,reflecting a 3.37 percent or P2.598 billion shorfall compared to P77.12 billion collection goal for the month, bureau data showed. Carandang noted the renewed focus on professionals and the self-employed is yielding results. “BIR had been monitoring and aggressively implementing the tax laws and this has already resulted in a significant increase in tax collections,” Carandang said. Laceirda also noted the BIR is having a success in beefing up collections from tax evaders sued by the government. “The BIR has been filing cases every other week. From the very start, the policy of the government is to pay your taxes properly. The policy continues,” Lacierda said in a separate text message to GMA News Online. Included in the list of high-profile cases in the last two months were against sports stars, television personalities and advertising agencies, and businessmen. Last week, Aquino reminded Chinese-Filipino businessmen to pay their dues, noting 64 percent of them did not pay any taxes at all. Heasked them to “correct the situation and fulfill your civic duty” by paying the correct taxes, or else deal with the BIR and the Justice Department. However, Laceirda said the President did not mean to single out any particular sector in his speech, and summed up Aquino's tirade as a “reminder.” “Tax collection efforts have improved. The Federation speech was meant to remind the firms and resolute policy of this government on paying the proper taxes,” he said. — BM/VS, GMA News