Comelec joins teachers in call to exempt poll honoraria from 20% income tax

By Myris Lee

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is sympathizing with groups of teachers in their request to exempt teachers’ honoraria from their task during the elections to be subjected to 20% income tax. 

Last week, the Department of Finance (DOF) rejected the proposal to exempt from income tax the honoraria of the teachers that will serve in the May 9 polls.

“Kami ay nakikisimpatya at sinasamahan natin ang pakiusap ng mga guro para hindi na sila pagbayarin ng income tax na 20%,” Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said in the April 28 Laging Handa Briefing.

Garcia said the Comelec has already written twice to the Bureau of Internal Revenue, but the latter has not yet issued any response. 

“Nakikiusap tayo na baka pupuwede administratively lang ay ma-set aside nga iyong buwis na dapat ay ibabayad ng ating mga guro po,” he said. 

The commissioner noted the absence of a law on the exemption, and urged the Congress to consider pushing for a law that will exclude election workers’ honoraria during elections from being taxed.   – ag