Duterte certifies Pogo tax regime bill as urgent

FILE President Rodrigo Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has certified as urgent a bill seeking to establish a tax regime covering Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos), Malacañang said Monday.

“We hope that through this measure we would not only generate the much-needed revenues in the country but also place the industry under stricter government oversight,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

Senate Bill No. 2232 or “An Act Taxing Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations” seeks to amend the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) to better collect taxes from Pogos.

The said bill has recently reached the Senate plenary.

Under the proposed measure, all offshore gaming licensees, regardless of whether Philippine or foreign-based are considered doing business in the Philippines, must pay a five-percent gaming tax on the gross gaming revenue or receipts derived from their gaming operations.

Foreigners employed by offshore gaming licensees and service providers will be subjected to a 25-percent withholding tax.

The measure provides a minimum final withholding tax due of P12,500 for any taxable month.

EDV