RA 9504 - Minimum Wage Earner Tax Exemption (2008)

"SEC. 22. Definitions. - when used in this Title:

"(A) x x x.

"x x x

"(FF) x x x.

"(GG) the term 'statutory minimum wage' earner shall refer to rate fixed by the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board, as defined by the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)

"(HH) the term 'minimum wage earner' shall refer to a worker in the private sector paid the statutory minimum wage, or to an employee in the public sector with compensation income of not more than the statutory minimum wage in the non-agricultural sector where he/she is assigned."

"SEC. 24. Income Tax Rates. -

"(A) Rates of Income Tax on Individual Citizen and Individual Resident Alien of the Philippines. -

"(1) x x x:

"x x x; and

"(c) 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 alien who is a resident of the Philippines.

"(2) Rates of Tax on Taxable Income of Individuals. - The tax shall be computed in accordance with and at the rates established in the following schedule:

"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.

"Provided, That minimum wage earners as defined in Section 22 (HH) of this Code shall be exempt from the payment of income tax on their taxable income: Provided, further, That the holiday pay, overtime pay, night shift differential pay and hazard pay received by such minimum wage earners shall likewise be exempt from income tax.

"x x x."

"SEC. 34. Deductions from Gross Income. - Except for taxpayers earning compensation income arising from personal services rendered under an employer-employee relationship where no deductions shall be allowed under this Section other than under Subsection (M)hereof, in computing taxable income subject to income tax under Sections 24(A); 25(A); 26; 27(A), (B), (C); and 28(A)(1), there shall be allowed the following deductions from the gross income:

"(A) Expenses. -

"x x x.

"(L) Optional Standard Deduction. - In lieu of the deductions allowed under the preceding Subsections, an individual subject to tax under Section 24, other than a nonresident alien, may elect a standard deduction in an amount not exceeding forty percent (40%) of his gross sales or gross receipts, as the case may be. In the case of a corporation subject to tax under section 27(A) and 28(A)(1), it may elect a standard deduction in an amount not exceeding forty percent (40%) of it gross income as defined in Section 32 of this Code. Unless the taxpayer signifies in his return his intention to elect the optional standard deduction, he shall be considered as having availed himself of the deductions allowed in the preceding Subsections. Such election when made in the return shall be irrevocable for the taxable year for which the return is made: Provided, That an individual who is entitled to and claimed for the optional standard shall not be required to submit with his tax return such financial statements otherwise required under this Code: Provided, further, That except when the Commissioner otherwise permits, the said individual shall keep such records pertaining to his gross sales or gross receipts, or the said corporation shall keep such records pertaining to his gross income as defined in Section 32 of this Code during the taxable year, as may be required by the rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Finance, upon recommendation of the Commissioner.

"(M) x x x."

"x x x."

"SEC. 35. Allowance of Personal Exemption for Individual Taxpayer. -

"(A) In General. - For purposes of determining the tax provided in Section 24(A) of this title, there shall be allowed a basic personal exemption amounting to Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) for each individual taxpayer.

"In the case of married individual where only one of the spouses is deriving gross income, only such spouse shall be allowed the personal exemption.

"(B) Additional Exemption for Dependents. - There shall be allowed an additional exemption of Twenty-five thousand pesos (25,000) for each dependent not exceeding four (4).

"The additional exemption for dependents shall be claimed by only one of the spouses in the case of married individuals.

"In the case of legally separated spouses, additional exemptions may be claimed only by the spouse who has custody of the child or children:

Provided, That the total amount of additional exemptions that may be claimed by both shall not exceed the maximum additional exemptions herein allowed.

"For purposes of this Subsection, a "dependent" means a legitimate, illegitimate or legally adopted child chiefly dependent upon and living with the taxpayer if such dependent is not more than twenty-one (21) years of age, unmarried and not gainfully employed or if such dependent, regardless of age, is incapable of self-support because of mental or physical defect.

"x x x."

"SEC. 51. Individual Return. -

"(A) Requirements. -

"(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this Subsection, the following individuals are required to file an income tax return:

"(a) x x x;

"x x x.

"(2) The following individuals shall not be required to file an income tax return:

"(a) x x x;

"(b) An individual with respect to pure compensation income, as defined in Section 32(A)(1), derived from such sources within the Philippines, the income tax on which has been correctly withheld under the provisions of Section 79 of this Code: Provided, That an individual deriving compensation concurrently from two or more employers at any time during the taxable year shall file an income tax return;

"(c) x x x; and

"(d) A minimum wage earner as defined in Section 22(HH) of this Code or an individual who is exempt from income tax pursuant to the provisions of this Code and other laws, general or special.

"x x x."

"Section 79. Income Tax Collected at Source. -

"(A) Requirement of Withholding. - Except in the case of a minimum wage earner as defined in Section 22(HH) of this code, every employer making payment of wages shall deduct and withhold upon such wages a tax determined in accordance with the rules and regulations to be prescribed by the Secretary of Finance, upon recommendation of the Commissioner:

"x x x."