BIR to decide on poll workers’ call for tax-free pay, says Comelec

It’s up to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to decide if the withholding tax on poll workers’ honoraria and travel allowances in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections will be waived.

This was the position of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on the call of teachers’ groups and Education Secretary Leonor Briones for a higher as well as tax-free pay for teachers who will render service in the May 14 polls.

READ: DepEd chief calls for higher, tax-free pay for teachers in village polls

The Comelec earlier announced that the honoraria and travel allowances for poll workers would be subject to a five-percent withholding tax, pursuant to BIR Ruling No. 003-08 dated April 14, 2018.

“I’m not sure if DepEd or the teachers were intending to file an appeal,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez told reporters in an interview, adding that the poll body has not received any appeal so far from any group.

Jimenez said the Comelec would pay all poll workers in full upon completion of their election duties on May 14.

“The current state of play is to give them the amount specified in the Election Service Reform Act (ESRA), with a five percent deduction,” Jimenez clarified.

Under the ESRA, or Republic Act No. 10756, the following poll workers are entitled to the corresponding honoraria: the chairperson of the Electoral Boards (P6,000), members of Electoral Boards (P5,000), Department of Education supervisor official (P4,000) and support staff (P2,000).

All poll workers are also entitled to a travel allowance of P1,000 each, the Comelec said. /ee