Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

551

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Congressman JU

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In the context of a globalized and more competitive economy, the consumer is key to
economic growth. Our fast economic growth of the past years cannot be sustained
anymore particularly because of dampened consumer confidence in the economy. Recent
crises such as the continuing peace and order problem in Mindanao and fluctuating
exchange rates have furthered eroded the confidence of the consuming public. Many
businesses have thus forecasted slow and slackening demand of products and services.
Many are therefore unwilling to invest in new businesses nor to expand existing ones.

What this proposal intends to do is to jumpstart demand in the economy by empowering
the consumer with more purchasing power. This can be done by increasing their take
home pay through lower tax rates and hence. lower deductions from their income. A
demand-led growth in these crucial times is indeed the way to go. There would be a
multiplier effect on overall economic growth because this proposal affects virtually all
persons earning income. Demand creates its own supply — which means that higher
consumer spending would also result to more investments since businesses would
anticipate a higher demand for their products after this proposal becomes law

The increase in consumer spending (through Value Added Taxes) and increase in new
investments (fees, higher corporate income, higher customs collection) would surely more
than offset the possible decrease in income tax revenues brought about by the lowered tax
rates,

Moreover, this proposal is a reasonable way to go for the government to show its sincerity
to the masses in helping them cope with the successive oil price hikes and consequent
transportation price hikes. Added to this is the progressive system of taxation which the
Constitution wants to evolve so as to help those who need it the most

NRILE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

551

HOUSE BIL!

Introduced by Congressman JUAN C, PONCE ENRILE, JR.

AN ACT
REDUCING THE INCOME TAX RATES OF INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYERS,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE CHAPTER III, SECTION 24 (A) (1) (c) OF
THE NATIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1997, AS AMENDED

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled.

SECTION 1. Chapter III Section 24 (A) (1) (c) of the National Internal Revenue Code of

1997, as amended is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“CHAPTER IIL - TAX ON INDIVIDUALS

SECTION 24. Income Tax Rates. —

(A) Rates of Income Tax on Individual Citizen and Individual Resident

Alien of the Philippines. -
(1) An Income Tax is hereby imposed

(a) On the taxable income defined in Section 31 of this Code,
other than income subject to tax under Subsections (B), (C)
and (D) of this Section, derived for each taxable year from
all sources within and without the Philippines by every

individual citizen of the Philippines residing therein;


(b) On the taxable income defined in Section 31 of this Code,
other than income subject to tax under Subsections (B), (C)
and (D) of this Section, derived for each taxable year from
all sources within the Philippines by an individual citizen
of the Philippines who is residing outside of the Philippines
including overseas contract workers referred to. in
Subsection (C) of Section 23 hereof, and

(c) On the taxable income derived in Section 31 of this Code,
other than income subject to tax under Subsections (B), (C)
and (D) of this Section, derived for each taxable year from
all source within the Philippines by an individual alien who

is resident of the Philippines

The tax shall be computed in accordance with and the rates established in

the following schedule:

Not over P10, 000 ——— [5%] 25%
Over P10, 000 but not over P30, 000 P[500] 250 + [10%]
5% of the excess over
P10, 000
Over P30, 000 but not over P70, 000 ---—- P[2,500] 1,250 +
[15%] 7.5% of the
excess over P30,000
Over P70, 000 but not over P140,000 —---P[8,500] 4,250 +
[20%] 10% of the
excess over P70,000
Over P140, 000 but not over P250, 000 ------ P[22,500] 11,250 +
[25%] 12.5% of the
excess over P140,000
Over P250, 000 but not over P500, 000 ------ P[50,000} 25,000
+ [30%] 15% of the
excess over P250,000
Over P500, 000 BUT NOT OVER P1,000,000 ----- P[125,000
62,500 + [34%]
17.5% of the excess
over PS00,000 [in 1998}


OVER P1, 000, 000 BUT NOT OVER P2, 000, 000 - P 150,000 +
20% OF THE
EXCESS OVER
P1, 000,000

OVER P2,000,000, BUT NOT OVER P4,000,000
——-- P350,000 +
22.5% OF THE
EXC OVER
P2, 000, 000.

ER P4, 000, 000 BUT NOT OVER P8,000,000 ----- P 800,000
He 25% OF THE
EXCESS OVER
P4, 000, 000,

OVER P8,000,000 BUT NOT OVER P10,000,000 ----- P1,800,00
+ 27.5% OF THE
EXCESS OVER
P8, 000, 000

OVER P10, 000,000 BUT NOT OVER P12, 000, 000 -----
P2, 350,000 + 30%
OF THE EXCESS
OVER P10,000,000

OVER P12, 000, 000 -———— —- 2,950,000 + 32%

OF THE EXCESS
OVER P12, 000, 000

(Provided, That effective January 1, 1999, the top marginal rate shall be thirty-three (33%)

and effective January 1, 2000, the said rate shall be thirty-two percent (32%).]


For married individuals, the husband and wife, subject to the provision of Section 51 (D)
hereof, shall compute separately their individual income tax based on their respective total
taxable income: Provided, That if any income cannot be definitely attributed to or
identified as income exclusively earned or realized by either of the spouses, the same shall
be divided equally between the spouses for the purpose of determining their respective

taxable income.”

SECTION 2. Separability Clause. - If any provisions of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to

be in full force and effect.

SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. - All provisions of laws, orders, decrees, including

rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 4. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following

its publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) national newspaper of national

circulation,

Approved,