Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Siquijor Provincial Statistical Office holds tax orientation for its Contract of Service Workers (COSWs) last 13 June 2022. Revenue Collection Officer Janine J. Cortes of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Revenue District Office (RDO) of Dumaguete City, served as the resource person of the activity. The said orientation aimed to enlighten COSWs on the concept of income tax returns and BIR annual registration fee to ensure tax compliance and avoid future tax problems.

Chief Statistical Specialist (CSS) Aurelia M. Canda highlighted during her opening message the importance of being aware of one’s possible tax liability as paying the right tax is an obligation of all income earners. She warmly welcomed the resource person and convey her gratefulness for granting PSA her time for the said activity despite her hectic schedule. CSS Canda also welcomed both regular employees and COSWs attending the orientation.

Ms. Cortes reiterated and discussed various BIR Forms such as Certificate of Registration, BIR Form 0605, BIR Form 1701, BIR Form 1704 and BIR Form 1701Q. She discussed the quarterly deadline for filing BIR Form 1701Q and the importance of filing this form following the prescribed schedule. Ms. Cortes provided brief background on the provisions of Tax Reform for Inclusion and Acceleration Act of 2017 (TRAIN Law), which lowered personal income tax rates but increased taxes on certain goods, leading to a net increase in revenue.

Before the activity ends, SS II Jill Bernadette C. Abing in her closing remarks expressed her gratitude to Ms. Janine Cortes for gracing the invitation to orient PSA COSWs about tax and basic tax laws. She also thanked all the COSWs who participated in the said activity and imparting in them an excerpt from the famous quote by Benjamin Franklin saying “In this world nothing is certain except death and taxes”.

SGD. AURELIA M. CANDA

Chief Statistical Specialist