Teachers react to imposed 20% tax on their honorarium

Some teachers, who are scheduled to serve in the May 9 elections, have reacted regarding the 20% tax that will be imposed on their honoraria.

This is after the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) stood by its decision to oppose the proposed tax exemption on honoraria and allowance of teachers arguing that they are just following the law on levying income tax on an individual.

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In addition, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) group was shocked by the statement of the Department of Education (DepEd) that it will only follow what the two agencies implement because the two agencies are the ones who could give comment on the issue.

Yun nga ang nakakalungkot. Mismong ang ahensya namin ay hindi kakampi dito sa tax exemption na inilalaban ng mga teachers. Di ba kaya nga napakasakit na 20 percent pang babawasin. May increase nga pero napakalaki naman ng 20 percent. Binawi lang 'yung increase na sinabi nila,

sad Rizza Bantillan of the ACT.

Other members said they regretted that the agency for teachers itself did not oppose the tax exemption proposal.

It is also a big concern for them to go on duty now due to the pandemic and the fear that COVID-19 will infect them at the voting centers.

Meanwhile, DepEd has previously announced that about 600,000 teachers and non-teaching personnel will serve for election day itself where the electoral chairpersons will receive P7,000 honorarium while the electoral board will receive P6,000. Support staff and medical personnel will receive P5,000.

Electoral chairpersons and technical support staff also have an additional P1,500 communication allowance, and P500 for the COVID-10 allowance.