[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7496, May 15, 1992 ]

AN ACT ADOPTING THE SIMPLIFIED NET INCOME TAXATION SCHEME FOR THE SELF-EMPLOYED AND PROFESSIONALS ENGAGED IN THE PRACTICE OF THEIR PROFESSION, AMENDING SECTIONS 21 AND 29 OF THE NATIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE CODE, AS AMENDED

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

Section 1. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to have a uniform and equitable tax system as mandated by the Constitution. The tax structure must be such that all tax groups shall pay their fair share of taxes. The higher income groups shall bear a higher tax burden than the low income groups.

Section 2. As used herein, the term:

a. "Self-employed" means persons engaged in business and who derive their personal income from such business. This includes single proprietorships, i.e., manufacturers, traders, market vendors, owners of eateries, farmers and service shops; and

b. "Professionals" means persons who derive their income from the practice of their profession. This includes lawyers and other persons who are registered with the Professional Regulation Commission such as doctors, dentists, certified public accountants and others similarly situated.  The term "professional" also refers to one who pursues an art and makes his living therefrom such as artists, athletes and others similarly situated.

Section 3. The first subparagraph of Section 2(a) of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

"(a) Taxable compensation income. - A tax is hereby imposed upon the taxable compensation income as defined in Section 27, other than the incomes subject to tax under paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of this section, received during each taxable year from all sources determined in accordance with the following schedule:

"Not over P 2,500 0%
"Over P 2,500 but not over P 5,000 1%
"Over P 5,000 but not over P 10,000 P 25 + 3% of excess over P 5,000
"Over P 10,000 but not over P 20,000 P 175 + 7% of excess over P 10,000
"Over P 20,000 but not over P 40,000 P 875 + 11 % of excess over P 20,000
"Over P 40,000 but not over P 60,000 P 3,075 + 15% of excess over P 40,000
"Over P 60,000 but not over P 100,000 P 6,075 + 19% of excess over P 60,000
"Over P 60,000 but not over P 100,000 P 6,075 + 19% of excess over P 60,000
"Over P l00,000 but not over P 250,000 P 13,675 + 24% of excess over P 100,000
"Over P 250,000 but not over P 500,000 P 49,675 + 29% of excess over P 250,000
"Over P 500,000 P 122,175 + 35% of excess over P 500,000"

Section 4. A new paragraph to be known as paragraph (f) is hereby inserted at the end of Section 21 of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which shall read as follows:

"(f) Simplified Net Income Tax for the Self-employed and for Professionals Engaged in the Practice of Profession. - A tax is hereby imposed upon the taxable net income as determined in Section 27 received during each taxable year from all sources, other than income covered by paragraphs (b), (c), (d) and (e) of this section by every individual whether a citizen of the Philippines or an alien residing in the Philippines who is self-employed or practices his profession therein, determined in accordance with the following schedule:

"Not over P 10,000 3%
"Over P 10,000 but not over P 30,000 P 300 + 9% of excess over P 10,000
"Over P 30,000 but not over P120,000 P 2,100 + 15% of excess over P 30,000
"Over P 120,000 but not over P 350,000 P 15,600 + 20% of excess over P 120,000
"Over P350,000 P 61,600 + 30% of excess over P350,000"

Section 5. The opening paragraph of Section 29 of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

"In computing taxable income subject to tax under Sections 21(a); 24(a), (b), and (c); and 25(a)(1), there shall be allowed as deductions the items specified in paragraphs (a) to (i) of this section: Provided however, That, in computing taxable income subject to tax under Section 21(f) in the case of individuals engaged in business or practice of profession, only the following direct costs shall be allowed as deductions:

"(a) Raw materials, supplies and direct labor;

"(b) Salaries of employees directly engaged in activities in the course of or pursuant to the business or practice of their profession;

"(c) Telecommunications, electricity, fuel, light and water;

"(d) Business rental;

"(e) Depreciation;

"(f) Contributions made to the Government and accredited relief organizations for the rehabilitation of calamity-stricken areas declared by the President; and

"(g) Interest paid or accrued within a taxable year on loans contracted from accredited financial institutions which must be proven to have been incurred in connection with the conduct of a taxpayer's profession, trade or business.

"For individuals whose cost of goods sold and direct costs are difficult to determine, including professionals as herein defined, a maximum of forty percent (40%) of their gross receipts shall be allowed as deductions to answer for business or professional expenses as the case may be."

Section 6. The Secretary of Finance, upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, shall promulgate and publish the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.1âшphi1

Section 7. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or the application thereof to any person, circumstance or transaction is held invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions of this Act or the applicability of such provision to other persons, circumstances or transactions shall not be affected thereby.

Section 8. The provisions of Sections 21 and 29 of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and all other laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Section 9. After three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act, the Commissioner of Internal Revenue may implement a withholding tax scheme to further enhance the taxation of the self-employed and professionals as defined under this Act. In furtherance of this section, the Secretary of Finance, upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, shall issue and publish the implementing rules and regulations to implement this mandate.

Section 10. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,

(Sgd.) NEPTALI A. GONZALES
President of the Senate
(Sgd.) RAMON V. MITRA
Speaker of the House of Representatives
This Act which originated in the House of Representatives was finally passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on January 21, 1992 and January 15, 1992, respectively.
ANACLETO D. BADOY, JR.
Secretary of the Senate
CAMILO L. SABIO
Secretary General
House of Representatives

Approved: May 15, 1992

(Sgd.) CORAZON C. AQUINO
President of the Philippines


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