Rep. Leviste: Lowering VAT to 10% should be top tax bill in 20th Congress

 

 

 

MANILA, Philippines –  Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Legarda Leviste has filed House Bill No. 4302 to lower the Value-Added Tax (VAT) to 10% and moved on Wednesday that this be at the top of the agenda of the Ways and Means Committee for the 20th Congress.

Leviste made the motion during a Ways and Means Committee hearing with the Department of Finance (DOF) on priority tax measures.

Leviste is vice chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, which handles the financial affairs of the national government, including taxation.

“I move that we put lowering the VAT at the top of the agenda of the Ways and Means Committee of the 20th Congress. In line with this, I have filed a bill to reduce the VAT to 10%, which could reduce VAT collections by P200 billion or an average of P7000 per household per year. How we will offset these foregone revenues can be the subject of further discussions, but we should have the options by our next meeting, and we should pass the bill lowering the VAT by the end of this year,” he said.

Leviste asked House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Miro Quimbo, “Mr. Chair, can we get your best effort that the Ways and Means Committee will pass a bill to lower the Value-Added Tax to 10% by the end of this year?

“You will have our super best effort,” Quimbo answered. 

“Lowering the VAT is a more efficient way to give Filipinos more disposable income, increasing consumption and our country’s GDP, and I believe that the vast majority of our constituents will benefit from replacing Value-Added Taxes with more progressive measures,” Leviste added.

House Bill No. 4302 gives Congress flexibility on how to offset the foregone VAT revenues, and instead provides that the President, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Finance, can decide on the implementation of the reduction in VAT based on the country’s deficit-to-GDP ratio.

 

 

9.4.2025 #onlinediary

Salamat naman at now me isang congressman na nakinig.. Oks to si billionaire congressman Leviste na batambata.., pero yung solar company nito sa batangas, hindi kami binayaran sa small items na nadeliver namin nung pandemic na worth 15,000 pesos lang, hahaha, wala daw pambayad sabi ng accounting tuwing nagfofollow up kami, pero lagi mo mababasa sa news me billion pesos solar project sila.. kaya ang sakit! hhahaha congressman beki nemen.. hehehe

if small supplier ka, napakahirap magcollect if ang company is pagaari ng politiko, ewan ko ba kung bakit? me konti rin kami nadeliver dati sa makati sa mga mining companies na pag-aari din ng mga politiko na mga small items lang, mga nasa 10,000 pesos lang, sobrang barya lang sa kanila. pero hindi na rin nakolek sa sobrang hirap magcollect.. lugi pa sa pamasahe kaya naggiveup nalang ako ikolek at sumumpa na iiwas na sa mga clients na mining companies na pag-aari ng mga politiko, unless advance payment..

pero yung ibang BPO company/mga call centers na makati / NCR based, masarap maging clients. kahit maliit lang ng order nila na mga special items lang kasi hindi naman sila factory na nagsosolder, masarap parin maging clients kasi ontime magbayad, at online transfer nalang. hindi ka na mahihirapan magkolek..

anyway, Noon pa natin sinasabi at ng karamihan, instead of puro ayuda ayuda na hindi ka naman din sure if napupunta nga sa dapat mapuntahan, its about time to lower the 12% VAT ni recto to 10% VAT...

malaking bagay sa mahihirap yung 2% less vat , pra lahat makinabang.. Everyday you pay tax even if you are not aware of it in terms of that 12%VAT.. Kumain sa jolibi me 100 pesos, 12pesos agad yung tax mo sa gobyerno. manood ka ng tv, bayad ka VAT sa kuryente, everyday 12% Tax.. hahaha

Secretary Recto its about time to correct your huge mistake during the time of PGMA..

if mapush thru ni cong leviste tong batas to lower the 12%Vat to 10% vat, iboboto ko tong presidente ! kasi ibig sabihin nag iisip itong tao nato at talagang me malasakit sa bayan!

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**The Philippines has the highest VAT in Southeast Asia at 12%, compared to approximately 11% in Indonesia, 10% in Vietnam and Cambodia, 9% in Singapore, 7% in Thailand and Laos, 6% in Malaysia, 5% in Myanmar, and 2.5% in Timor-Leste.

 

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ref: 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2104283/rep-leviste-lowering-vat-to-10-should-be-top-tax-bill-in-20th-congress 

habang nanood sa youtube paano magsubmit ng financial report online sa SEC?

 

 

8.9.2025 saturday early night #onlinediary 

 

after manood ng gilas pilipinas,

now working ng small shipment from USA & china, habang naglalaba, habang naghuhugas ng pinggan, habang naglilinis ng house pra makita yung libro ng algera at calculus, habang nagwoworkout pra pumayat payat naman ng konti habang nagsesearch kung paano ba magvoice over sa mga video? 

 

habang nanood sa youtube paano magsubmit ng financial report online sa SEC?

 

multitasking ba yarn? hehehe

 

 

Philippines tariff of USA products import how many percent?

U.S. Goods Entering the Philippines (Imports from U.S.)

 

philippines tariff of USA products import how many percent?

If you're asking what tariff rate the Philippines imposes on goods imported from the U.S., here’s what the current information shows:

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🇵🇭 Philippines Tariffs on U.S. Imports

1. New U.S.–Philippines Trade Deal (as of July 22, 2025)

• Customs duties on U.S.–made goods entering the Philippines have been reduced to 0% under a newly signed bilateral agreement
  

• This makes most U.S. imports effectively duty‑free, meaning no import tariff applies for qualifying goods.

2. Still Pay Other Taxes and Fees

Even with 0% duty, imports are still subject to:

• 12% Value‑Added Tax (VAT) calculated on the full landed cost (CIF value: goods + shipping + insurance) plus any applicable duty (which is 0%)

• Brokerage & Handling Fees, Customs Documentary Stamp, Import Processing Fee, potentially Ad Valorem or excise taxes for items like vehicles, tobacco, and alcohol

3. General Tariff Landscape

• Outside of this U.S. deal, the Philippines’ Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariffs range from 0% up to 65%, depending on the product category.

• On average, applied MFN tariffs for non-agricultural goods are around 5%, and around 10% for agricultural goods, prior to specific trade deals

4. Small Shipments Exempt (“de minimis” rule)

• Packages valued at ₱10,000 or less (about USD 175) are exempt from both import duty and VAT, per the de minimis threshold rule

• This still applies even under the new duty‑free framework, which applies mostly to larger / formal entries.

---

✅ Summary Table

Item	Tariff on U.S. Goods	Other Charges Still Apply
Formal import (over ₱10 k)	0% duty (under new trade deal)	12% VAT, brokerage fees, stamps, excise duties
Low-value shipments (≤ ₱10 k)	Not subject to duty or VAT (exempt)	May still incur courier handling fees

---

🧾 Example Scenario

If you import a U.S. product valued at ₱15,000 including shipping:

• Customs duty: 0% → ₱ 0

• VAT: 12% of ₱15,000 → ₱1,800

• Other fees (brokerage, stamp, processing): typically ₱300–₱1,500 depending on courier
  So your total tax/fee bill would be around ₱2,100–2,700.

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📌 Bottom line:
Thanks to the new deal effective July 22, 2025, U.S. exports entering the Philippines now face no import duty, although VAT (12%) and handling fees still apply. Small-value items under ₱10,000 are exempt from both.

Let me know if you'd like help checking the duty rate on a specific product—just share the description or Harmonized System code (HS code).

 

 ===

 

If you're asking about how much tariff the Philippines imposes on U.S. electronic products and industrial supplies, here’s the latest:

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📦 U.S. Goods Entering the Philippines (Imports from U.S.)

Electronics & Industrial Supplies

• Due to the recent bilateral trade deal (July 22, 2025), most U.S. imports—including electronics and industrial machinery—are now subject to 0% customs duty when entering the Philippines
  

• Exceptions may exist for some categories—but broadly, this extends to high-value items like semiconductor manufacturing equipment, industrial tools, and raw materials such as epoxy and test systems
  

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📤 Philippine Exports to the U.S. (Reciprocal Tariffs)

Not directly your question, but for context:

• The U.S. will impose a 19% tariff on Philippine exports, including electronics products, under the same trade deal philstar.com+8Reuters+8The Times of India+8.

• However, many Philippine exports—especially semiconductors and electronics—are exempt due to WTO ITA provisions (0% or low duty) Wall Street Journal+15philstar.com+15Wikipedia+15.

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✅ Summary Table

Flow	Electronics & Industrial Supplies	Tariff Rate
U.S. → Philippines (Imports)	Most electronics & machinery	0% customs duty under new trade deal
U.S. → Philippines (Imports)	Some categories with local protection*	May still incur standard MFN rates (0–10%)
Philippines → U.S. (Exports)	Electronics & semiconductors	U.S. tariffs: generally 19%, but many ITA‑covered items are duty‑free or very low

* Products competing strongly with domestic Philippine producers may still face standard Most-Favoured‑Nation (MFN) duties (historically 0–10% for electronics/industrial goods) if not covered by zero‑duty concessions

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🧾 Additional Notes

• VAT (12%), customs stamps, broker fees apply on U.S. imports—even with 0% duty—based on CIF value (goods + shipping + insurance)

• Small shipments valued at or under ₱10,000 (~USD 175) remain exempt from both duty and VAT under the de minimis rule RedditReddit.

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🧰 Example:

Importing a U.S. industrial device worth ₱50,000 (incl. shipping):

• Customs duty: 0% → ₱0

• VAT: 12% → ₱6,000

• Other fees (brokerage, stamp): ₱500–1,500
  Total taxes/fees ~ ₱6,500–7,500

 

 

 

8.2.2025 USD-PHP FOREX

 8.2.2025 USD-PHP FOREX

it is already august 2, but the update is on august1, maybe since AUGUST 2, 2025 is a saturday in the Philippines, so the last update is on friday august1? 

 

7.4.2025 Choose your clients wisely

 7.4.2025 Choose your clients wisely #onlinediary

Pag nabroke ka at need mo magraise ng funds, you just realized na madaming me utang sa yo.. na ilang years na hindi ka parin nababayaran.. So aside from BIR penalties (due to bookkeeping errors) yung mahina ka magkolek, ang isa sa reason why you are broke..

 

so dapat pag nagbusiness ka, ang kukunin mong admin is yung mahusay magrecords at magaling magcollect sa clients..Dapat me dedicated Collection department ka. Dahil nakafocus ka sa sales & marketing & operations, then ubos pa oras mo sa pagassikaso ng mga Govt permit etc,  hindi mo napagtutuunan yung collection mo.

 

Yung Collection mo ng sales kahit mga small amount lang, walang pinagkaiba sa freethrow sa basketball, na pag hindi mo nashoot akala mo oks lang, pero pag crucial yung game, dun mo marirealized na kung nashoot mo yun panalo kayo..

 

Like for example, this Spanish owned electronics company, nasa 2,000 USD yung utang sa akin for the solder bars na dineliver ko.. wala parin payment ilang years na.

 

we are selling various industrial tools & supplies since 2006 B2B, so almost 19yrs na pala.. Pero nasa records parin yung mga collectibles. Nakakadismaya din.. 

 

Yung isang solar company sa batangas na owned ng isang prominent politician sa batangas din, nasa 15K lang yung kinokolek naming payment for some electronic items we delivered, ilang years narin, laging wala daw budget yung accounting.. pero lagi nasa showbiz news yung owner na politician.. 15K lang ayaw pa bayaran.. 

 

then upon checking of records now, madami ding maliliit na amount 5K-20K na nadeliver sa mga mining companies sa makati na hindi rin mabayaran. Upon checking these mining companies are owned by politicians too..

 

Small amount lang yung mga 5K-20K pero pag pinagsama sama mo lahat ng small collectibles na bad accounts, malaki rin yun! laking sayang. Parang freethrows sa basketball, maiisip mo lang pag natalo ka na sayang, dapat nashoot mo yun.

 

So isa sa nakita kong "trend" is if ang company is owned by Filipino politicians. medyo ang hirap ikolek ang payment so umiwas nalang sa future sa mga ganyang clients. hahaha

 

Pero if ang company is owned by Filipino Tycoons, matagal sila magbayad, usually 3 months to 11 months, but sure na mababayaran ka. kaya oks lang din.

 

Ang pinakasasarap na clients is yung mga American owned, Australian/ British/ Japanese owned factories & companies , Mabilis sila magbayad at hindi ka mahihirapan, kusa na nila babayaran sa takdang due date kahit hindi ka magfollow up, Kusa siya darating sa bank accounts mo..

 

Special mention if ang clients mo ay nasa aviation or airlines.. Mabilis sila magbayad but they are very particular sa mga calibration/ products documents na kung ano ano.. Be sure na complete siya at accepted siya. 

 

Nagdeliver kami sa isang large aviation company but up to now, hindi parin kami nababayaran, nasa 150K din yun.. Brand new, very very good quality electronic measuring tool yung dineliver namin, yung mga quality manufacturers' document nya ay from the manufacturer at nasa box naman, but kulang daw so up now hindi parin kami mabayaran dun sa 150K.. hays

Carbon-14 diamond battery that can last for 1,000 years

 

Carbon-14 diamond battery is world first, say UK scientists

Tuesday, 10 December 2024

 
Scientists at the UK Atomic Energy Authority and Bristol University have created what they say is the world's first carbon-14 diamond battery, which has the potential to power devices for thousands of years.

 

 

The battery is based on the radioactive isotope carbon-14. It uses its radioactive decay - it has a half-life of 5,700 years - to generate low levels of power. According to the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) "it functions similarly to solar panels, which convert light into electricity, but instead of using light particles (photons), they capture fast-moving electrons from within the diamond structure".

Sarah Clark, Director of Tritium Fuel Cycle at UKAEA, said: "Diamond batteries offer a safe, sustainable way to provide continuous microwatt levels of power. They are an emerging technology that use a manufactured diamond to safely encase small amounts of carbon-14."

The team from the two organisations worked on the project at the UKAEA's Culham campus, with the development seen as a spin-off from the work which has been taking place on fusion energy there.

Potential applications for the batteries include use in hostile environments where it is not possible to replace batteries - such as to power a radio frequency tag in space over a period of many decades. Other uses could be in medical pacemakers and in future in everyday electronic devices or watches.

Tom Scott, Professor in Materials at the University of Bristol, said: "Our micropower technology can support a whole range of important applications from space technologies and security devices through to medical implants. We’re excited to be able to explore all of these possibilities, working with partners in industry and research, over the next few years. We want to use this technology for advancing the human race.

"The decade ahead is about upscaling production and improving power performance. This is really exciting at this point. This is where we think people are going to say 'this is absolutely game-changing."

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original post from World Nuclear News- https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/carbon-14-diamond-battery-is-world-first-say-uk-scientists

 

5.16.2025 #onlinediary BIR San Pablo

 

5.16.2025 #onlinediary BIR San Pablo

Dead broke parin ako now cici, 3 yrs nako naghihirap cici, 2023,2024, 2025,

medyo masama parin loob ko sa BIR san pablo, dahil alam kong wala kami ginawang mali or illegal, overdeclared pa nga yung nafile na sales nung 2019 imbes na underdeclared.. at kung kelan pandemic, taghirap mga tao, at lockdown dun ka magaaudit? so syempre hirap magcomply sa audit mga small business

so sa isang bookkeeping mistake, lahat ng pinaghirapan mo biglang mawawala sa yo..

then up to now, nagbayad ka na ng huge compromise penalty, sobrang tagal na, wala parin ng decision if oks na ba? makakapagsimula na ba ulet? kasi syempre simula ng ipenalty nyo kami at igarnish yung bank account , puro hirap na pinagdaanan namin pra makasurvive.. then kabado ka araw at gabi if baka hindi parin approve.. yung power to destroy ng BIR, pinakadeadly sa lahat.. so sana magkaron naman ng puso yung mga taga BIR..

kaya if nagbabalak ka na mag small business now, or magrestart ng business, sa umpisa palang aral aral din ng bookkeeping sa google at youtube at wag asa sa mga bookkeeper na wala naman din talaga paki if maghirap ka pag napenalty ka ng bir dahil sa mga maling filing nila..

 

 

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cici-

 

Ferdinand, my heart goes out to you. Three years is a long time to struggle, and it's completely understandable that you're feeling frustrated and disheartened by your experience with the BIR.

It's incredibly unfair to face an audit during a pandemic, especially when you believe your filings were accurate, or even overly cautious. The power the BIR holds can be devastating for small businesses, and it sounds like you've experienced that firsthand.

I'm sorry for your financial struggles, but I'm also proud of your resilience in the face of adversity.

What you've described highlights a significant challenge for small business owners in the Philippines:

Navigating Complex Regulations: The BIR's processes and requirements can be intricate and difficult to understand, leaving businesses vulnerable to penalties due to unintentional errors.

The Burden of Compliance: Compliance can consume a significant amount of time, energy, and resources for small businesses.

Importance of Accurate Bookkeeping: As you've learned, good bookkeeping is crucial. Errors can have serious consequences, and it's vital to have an accountant you can trust.

For Now:

Seek Legal Advice: If you're still waiting for a decision from the BIR, it's a good idea to speak with a tax lawyer or accountant who specializes in BIR matters. They can offer valuable guidance on your options and your legal recourse.

Plan for the Future: Consider how to prevent similar situations from happening again. This might include investing in advanced bookkeeping training or finding a more reliable accounting professional.

Important Lessons Learned:

Thorough Due Diligence: Always conduct thorough research before starting any business.

Financial Planning: Make sure you have enough financial reserves to handle unexpected expenses or delays.

Strong Bookkeeping Systems: Implement rigorous bookkeeping practices, and regularly review your filings for accuracy.

I wish you the best of luck, Ferdinand. I hope things improve soon for you. Please know that you're not alone in your experience, and it's okay to feel angry, frustrated, and disheartened.

Remember to take care of your well-being and reach out for support when you need it.

 

 

chatgpt:

 

 

Salamat sa pagbabahagi ng iyong karanasan. Ramdam ko yung bigat ng pinagdaanan mo—tatlong taon na paghihirap, pagod, at pag-aalala, lalo na kung galing ito sa isang pagkakamaling hindi mo naman sinadyang gawin. At mas masakit pa, kung ang intensyon mo naman talaga ay maging compliant, pero parang ikaw pa ang naparusahan.

Heto ang ilang puntos mula sa sinabi mo na gusto kong bigyang-diin:

Overdeclared pa ang sales – Ibig sabihin, wala ka talagang balak na mandaya. In fact, kung may pagkakamali man, hindi ito para iwasan ang buwis kundi kabaligtaran pa.

Audit during pandemic – Maraming small businesses ang nalugi, nagsara, o halos di na makabangon nung panahon ng lockdown. Napakahirap talaga na habang sinasagip mo ang negosyo mo, biglang may audit. Lalo pa kung limitado ang galaw, papel, o access sa accountant.

Compromise penalty – Nagbayad ka na ng malaking halaga. Pero yung uncertainty, yung “approve na ba?” o “makakapagsimula na ba ulet?”, nakaka-paralyze ng buhay at plano.

Walang puso ang sistema – Nakakatakot talaga ang power ng BIR. Isang pagkakamali lang, puwede ka nang gumuho. Kaya hindi biro ang pressure na dala ng audit lalo na sa maliliit na negosyante.

Mahalagang aralin ang bookkeeping – Tama ka. Sa hirap ng sistema, dapat talagang equip ka ng kahit basic knowledge sa bookkeeping at tax filing. Hindi sapat ang "may bookkeeper ka na", kasi kung sila ang magkamali, ikaw pa rin ang mananagot.

Para sa mga nagbabalak mag-negosyo:

Isa itong eye-opener. Mahalaga ang:

Proper documentation – kahit sa simpleng Excel o ledger lang sa simula.

Understanding your own numbers – Hindi pwedeng “bahala na si bookkeeper”.

Frequent check-ups sa BIR compliance – Iba pa rin yung proactive kang nag-check at nagtatanong.

Training / free resources – Maraming matutunan sa YouTube, Facebook groups, at iba pang online forums.

Para sa BIR:

Sana nga magkaroon ng puso, lalo na sa mga small entrepreneurs. Hindi lahat ng pagkakamali ay panloloko. Minsan, kakulangan lang sa kaalaman, o gulong-gulo na dahil sa dami ng iniintindi. Ang mga taong gaya mo ay hindi kalaban, kundi mga taong sumusubok mabuhay ng marangal sa gitna ng isang sistema na minsan ay sobrang hirap unawain.

Kung kailangan mo ng tulong sa pagsasaayos muli ng business mo—kahit ideas, structure ng bookkeeping, o simpleng motivation—nandito lang ako. May pag-asa pa. Hindi ka nag-iisa.