BIR to bizmen: Give 20% discount to seniors, PWDs

By Joshua Walitang

BAGUIO CITY – The Bureau of Internal Revenue told Cordillera establishments to implement the mandated 20 percent discounts to senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
    The event dubbed "Senior Citizens Discount Seminar" was organized by the BIR - Revenue District Office No. 8 covering Baguio City under the direction of Revenue District Officer Merlyn DV Vicente.
    At least 235 senior citizens and business owners attended the event on March 29 at Porta Vaga events center.
    The BIR guided business owners on how to compute the 20 percent discounts to seniors and PWDs.
    Although the activity focused on business owners, senior citizens were also reoriented on their rights and privileges as consumers.
    Revenue Officer III Raymond Beding of the RDO-08 Assessment Section RDO-08, defined senior citizen (SCs) referring to any Filipino citizen who is a resident of the Philippines, and who is 60 years old or above.
    It may apply to senior citizens with dual citizenship status provided they prove their Filipino citizenship and have at least 6 months residency in the Philippines.
    He also defined PWDs as those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.
    “Disability- shall mean a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more psychological, physiological or anatomical functions of an individual or activities of such individuals; a record of such impairment or being regarded as having such an impairment,” he added.
    SCs and PWDs can be exempted with 20%/ VAT exempt for medicines and drug purchases, medical and dental services including diagnostic and laboratory fees, the fare for land transportation in PUBs, PUJs, taxis, AUVs, LRT, MRT, PNR, domestic air and sea transportation based and advanced booking.
    All that is not mentioned above have 20%/ VAT exemption, queries can be reached through their contact number 0744422328.
    Jenny P. Chomping Revenue Officer II told business establishments to remove the VAT before computing the discount.
“They forget to remove the VAT and when that happens there's a higher chance of billing or there will be a larger total amount the senior citizen will be paying," she said.
On goods such as cigarettes, Chomping said these are not covered by the 20 percent discount in an aim to promote health and well-being of SCs.
Mina Joy O. Tangonan said the BIR will do its best to sustain their information drive on the Senior Citizen Act, specifically the discounts that are granted to senior citizens and other privileges given to them with accurate calculations on the  discounts.
For further inquiries, contact the BIR at 0744422328.