Sotto wants public school teachers to be exempted from income taxes

MANILA, Philippines – A bill has been filed in the Senate seeking the exemption of teachers I, II and III from paying income taxes.

Sotto wants public school teachers to be exempted from income taxes
Senate President Vicente Sotto III seeks to give tax exemption to public school teachers | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Vicente Sotto III

Senate Bill No. 241, also known as "Act Providing Tax Relief to Public School Teachers by Exempting them from Income Taxation, Amending for the Purpose Sections 22 and 24A of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, As Amended" has been filed by Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

Under the bill, public school teachers that fall within level I, II and III as defined by the Department of Education, will no longer be obligated to pay income tax from their salaries. Other compensations they are expected to receive, such as their holiday pay, overtime pay, night shift differential and hazard pay will also be tax-free.

Sotto said the measure is to honor the noble teachers who only receive a little more than the minimum wage.

He stated, "We recognize the inevitable fact that our teachers play a crucial and significant role. The future of our youth and nation lies in the nurturing hands of our teachers. We consider them as our modern day heroes."

The senator added that by exempting teachers from paying taxes, they are "given what they rightfully deserve."

Sotto described the measure as "a gift for the teachers' unconditional love and sacrifice in molding the youth to be the future's leaders."

The senate leader said that the bill was in consonance with the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers which seeks to promote and improve the social and economic status of public school teachers, their living and working conditions, their terms of employment and career prospects.

Sotto also assured that the 18th Congress will be working hard to grant the much-needed salary increase that the public school teachers have long been asking. He said that the increase is vital to make the wages of teachers at par with their ASEAN counterparts.

Several senators already filed bills seeking to increase the salaries of public school teachers.

Senator Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara seeks to raise the Salary Grade of teachers from 11 to 19 and receive at least P36,409 a month.

Senator Francis Pangilinan also filed a bill for an additional compensation of about P10,000 per month for teachers.

Senator Nancy Binay's version aims to give a salary of P28,000 for teachers and P16,000 for non-teaching personnel.

— Sally, The Summit Express



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