PHILIPPINES: Seniors Get 20 Per Cent Off on Sales

. QUEZON CITY (Philippine Information Agency), February 20, 2007: Good news! The Government of Philippines has declared that all senior citizens may now avail of their twenty percent (20%) discount privileges provided for in the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003 or Republic Act 9257, without presenting their tax identification numbers (TIN) as previously required from them by establishments. The Bureau of Internal Revenue has amended the regulations which earlier required business establishments giving sales discount to qualified senior citizens to keep separate and accurate record of senior citizens including their TINs. The regulation has been amended as the inter-agency body which oversees the implementation had recieved complaints from senior citizens that they were denied the 20 percent discount from various establishments due to the TIN requirement. Older persons can now enjoy their discount privileges less the hassles. The amended regulation added Section 10 clarifying the basis of computation of the value added tax (VAT) on the sale to senior citizens with sales discount. The computation is based on the amount of sale (without the VAT) less 20 percent sales discount equals the vatable sale plus the 12 percent VAT which now becomes the total amount to be paid by a senior citizen. Other privileges of senior citizens under the law are: free medical and dental services in government facilities; exemption from training fees for socio-economic programs; educational assistance to senior citizens who want to pursue their education; expresslane privileges in all private, commercial and government establishments; 50 percent discount for utilities such as water, electricity and telephone for senior citizen centers and residential care facilities. Copyright © 2005 Philippine Information Agency