Rules for added tax breaks for PWDs to be signed Dec. 1
The long-awaited rules that will implement tax breaks for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and their kin who care for them will be signed on Dec. 1, Department of Social Welfare and Development officials said in reply to a query from Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto during Thursday’s budget debates.
The DSWD’s assurance was confirmed by Senate finance chair Sen. Loren Legarda, who conveyed it to Recto in the course of his interpellation of the DSWD’s P129.8 billion budget request for 2017.
And as if to stress that the signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act RA 10754 “is a go,” DSWD officials invited Recto and senators to the event that will be held in the agency’s central office in Quezon City.
“Well, what can I say? Sabi nga nila sa Batangas, ‘Huli man daw at magaling, naihahabol din.’ It may have taken a long time. It may have moved along in crutches, but it is arriving,” Recto said.
Recto viewed the “imminent promulgation” of the IRR of RA 10754 “as a strong indicator that the administration’s plan to revoke certain tax-free privileges of PWDs and senior citizens will no longer push through.”
“The optimistic that I am, I see this as a good omen that the plan to take away tax discounts of seniors and PWDs has been abandoned,” Recto said.
Recto, author of the law, has been persistent in pressing the DSWD in releasing the IRR of Republic Act 10754, which President Aquino signed into law on March 23, 2016.
RA 10754 exempts PWDs from all sales taxes on certain goods and services, like transport fares, medicines, medical and dental services and laboratory fees, raising the discount to 32 percent.
It also grants a P25,000 annual income tax deduction to relatives within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, who are caring for and living with a PWD.
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27 OCT 2016: DSWD, DOF reminded: Magpa-Pasko na, wala pa ring implementing rules ang PWD law?
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20 AUG 2016: Before pitching new taxes, Palace must first issue rules on new PWD, balikbayan box laws
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22 JUL 2016: Lack of IRR bogs down PWD law’s implementation
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06 MAY 2016: Recto: Discount para sa PWD inutil ‘pag walang IRR
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05 MAY 2016: Recto twits gov’t: Proc of new prexy might come ahead of rules for new PWD law
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06 APR 2016: Recto: Mabilis na paglabas ng IRR ng bagong PWD law, ipinangako ni Dinky
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06 APR 2016: Recto: Dinky vows fast release of PWD law’s IRR
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30 MAR 2016: Recto: P25,000 tax break for PWD caregivers
SENATE BILLS/AUTHORED LAWS:
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21 JUL 2016: Senate Bill No. 796: Mandatory Philhealth Coverage for All PWDs Act of 2016
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23 MAR 2016: Republic Act No. 10754: Additional Benefits for Persons With Disabilities (PWD)
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