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Evan Tan

Withholding Tax 101 (or, ‘Why Is My Pay Less Than What My Client Said It Would Be?’)

Withholding Taxes Philippines

How withholding tax feels like, sometimes: someone taking a bite out of your favorite doughnut before you can eat it. (Then again, lessening calories can be good for you.)

If you’re a freelancer with local clients, you must be familiar with withholding tax. 

Simply put, it’s the amount of money that your client deducts from the amount you’re supposed to receive. So if you’re expecting, say, Php 3,000, you might end up getting Php 2,700 instead.

Where did that missing Php 300 go?

It went to your withholding tax. 

Withholding tax: What Is It?Read MoreWithholding Tax 101 (or, ‘Why Is My Pay Less Than What My Client Said It Would Be?’)

Basic Types of Taxes Every Proprietor and Professional Needs to Pay to the BIR

Basic Taxes Every Proprietor and Professional Needs to Pay to the Bureau of Internal Revenue

Many of us who start a business come from a regular employment setting.  So when we decide to register our business with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), it comes as a shock when we learn that there are several types of taxes.

Yes, aside from income tax, there are other types of taxes that a business owner needs to pay–and that they need to file various tax forms many times a year.

Of course, we can’t spare you the payments, but we can at least spare you the shock.

Here, for your reading pleasure, are all the basic types of taxes and fees every professional or business owner needs to pay once they have registered with the BIR:

Read MoreBasic Types of Taxes Every Proprietor and Professional Needs to Pay to the BIR

Taxumo Heroes: The Passion That Drives Rach of Treehouse Yoga

While it took more than a decade for Rachel Limjoco-Bonifacio of Treehouse Yoga to trade high heels and office swivel chairs for bare feet and yoga mats, she has always been focused on one thing: her passion for teaching.

After thirteen years in the corporate world (the last few years of that, as a training manager in UnionBank of the Philippines), she decided that it was time to make a career shift.

And this is when she discovered something bigger and crazier to fuel her passion.

Below, Taxumo Hero Rach shares the secret to facing one’s weaknesses (and other nuggets of advice for every Filipino small business owner and self-employed professional who’s dreaming of doing something amazing.)

Read MoreTaxumo Heroes: The Passion That Drives Rach of Treehouse Yoga

What Can We Do with High Local Taxes in the Philippines?

High local business taxes in the Philippines

The proposed income tax reforms have been hogging the headlines lately. Based on the latest draft at end of February 2017, an annual basic salary of P250,000 that used to be taxed as high as P37,500, will now be ZERO (not a typo). Everyone can’t wait for this to happen. It’s about time to experience a tax REDUCTION for a change.

But while national taxes (e.g. income taxes) are getting all the media attention, there is set of taxes that are under the radar, and have risen significantly in recent years. I’m referring to city/municipal or “local” taxes.

Read MoreWhat Can We Do with High Local Taxes in the Philippines?

How President Trump May Hurt (or Help) the Philippine BPO Industry

  • Evan Tan 

President Trump and the Philippine BPO Industry

There have been various news coverage on the election of Donald Trump, and how Trump’s “America First” policies could negatively impact our country’s thriving business process outsourcing or BPO industry. Many are concerned of possible US legislation that could discourage companies from further outsourcing. Or that they’ll make offshore services more expensive through some form of “border tax”. Analysts estimates well over 50% of BPO revenues emanating from the US or US companies. And some industry stakeholders, especially BPO employees, are frankly scared.

Read MoreHow President Trump May Hurt (or Help) the Philippine BPO Industry

With Lower Income Taxes, How Will Duterte Deal with the Philippines’ Huge National Debt?

  • Evan Tan 
Duterte's Solution to Philippine Debt Despite Lower Income Taxes

President Duterte’s photo taken from DuterteNews.com

The Duterte administration is aware of the potential risk of lowering Philippine income taxes. This is how he might manage the Philippines’ tremendous national debt—in the face of rising interest rates.

Ever wondered how much is the Philippines’ total debt?

Can you guess without Googling it? No?

Read MoreWith Lower Income Taxes, How Will Duterte Deal with the Philippines’ Huge National Debt?