Solon Supports Bill Giving Tax Relief to Families with Disabled Dependents
Congresswoman Jocelyn S. Limkaichong (1st District, Negros Oriental, Philippines) shares in this report that a measure aimed at helping poor families supporting children with disabilities and special needs has been approved by the 15th Congress’ Committee on Ways and Means. She says the measure is in compliance to Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Quezon City, Philippines, October 20, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Congresswoman Jocelyn S. Limkaichong (1st District, Negros Oriental) is pleased to share with her constituents that a measure aimed at helping poor families supporting children with disabilities and special needs has been approved by the 15th Congress’ Committee on Ways and Means, where she sits as an active member for the majority.
If passed into law, the bill “Amending Section 35(B) of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as Amended by Republic Act 9504,” will grant individual taxpayers an additional exemption of PhP 25,000 for each dependent without disability and PhP 50,000 for dependents with disability.
The hardworking Congresswoman adds that the bill also seeks to provide that the legal guardian of a person with disability may claim the additional tax exemption for the said dependent for a particular taxable year to the exclusion of the biological parents.
“This will be a big help to our poor families raising a child – or even children – with disability. Instead of having these taxes cut from their payslips, they may now use this money saved through this additional exemption to other more pressing needs of our poor constituents. They could add this to their budget for food, clothing, education and, yes, full rehabilitation of their children with disability,” says Rep. Limkaichong.
Cognizant of the fact that the proposed measure may not work in favor of the revenue-raising efforts of the government, Cong. Limkaichong, however, asserts that in this trying times, what is more important is “we directly alleviate the burden of many of our people who have dependents with disabilities – who need more care and attention, which in turn, require extra expenses and costs.”
She also notes that this measure, in spirit, is in compliance to our government’s commitment to protect the rights and promote the well-being and welfare of Filipinos with disabilities, particularly under Article 28 (Right to adequate standard of living and social protection) of the recently-ratified United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
This bill is a substitute for House Bill Nos. 4793, 4026, 3765 and 5100 filed before the committee chaired by Rep. Hermilando Mandanas (2nd District, Batangas). The consolidated bill will be subjected for second reading in the plenary when the Congress resumes from break in November.
About Congresswoman Jocelyn S. Limkaichong:
The Honorable Congresswoman Jocelyn S. Limkaichong is a seasoned legislator and public servant. An ardent advocate of the Millennium Development Goals, she has championed measures and implemented programs that revolve around, and redound to, social reform and human development, rights of women and children, and good governance. She co-authored the landmark Cheaper and Quality Medicines Law; the General Appropriations Act of 2011; the recently-enacted law Promoting Financial Viability and Fiscal Discipline in Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations; and remains steadfast in rallying behind the immediate passage of House Bill 2687, “An Act Restructuring the Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco Products.” Consistent to her campaign battle-cry – “HEART (of Josy)”: Health, Education, Agriculture, Roads, and Trade and Tourism – she made potable drinking water systems and basic social services more accessible to far-flung villages; conducted regular school feeding programs, sustainable livelihood projects, and institutionalized health and medical care activities; and prudently implemented farm-to-market road projects in her district. A member of the ruling Liberal Party of the Philippines, she is currently serving her second term in the Congress representing the 1st District of Negros Oriental, central Philippines. She is a CPA by profession and was a successful businesswoman before she entered public service. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Major in Accounting, from the De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines, with honors.
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If passed into law, the bill “Amending Section 35(B) of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as Amended by Republic Act 9504,” will grant individual taxpayers an additional exemption of PhP 25,000 for each dependent without disability and PhP 50,000 for dependents with disability.
The hardworking Congresswoman adds that the bill also seeks to provide that the legal guardian of a person with disability may claim the additional tax exemption for the said dependent for a particular taxable year to the exclusion of the biological parents.
“This will be a big help to our poor families raising a child – or even children – with disability. Instead of having these taxes cut from their payslips, they may now use this money saved through this additional exemption to other more pressing needs of our poor constituents. They could add this to their budget for food, clothing, education and, yes, full rehabilitation of their children with disability,” says Rep. Limkaichong.
Cognizant of the fact that the proposed measure may not work in favor of the revenue-raising efforts of the government, Cong. Limkaichong, however, asserts that in this trying times, what is more important is “we directly alleviate the burden of many of our people who have dependents with disabilities – who need more care and attention, which in turn, require extra expenses and costs.”
She also notes that this measure, in spirit, is in compliance to our government’s commitment to protect the rights and promote the well-being and welfare of Filipinos with disabilities, particularly under Article 28 (Right to adequate standard of living and social protection) of the recently-ratified United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
This bill is a substitute for House Bill Nos. 4793, 4026, 3765 and 5100 filed before the committee chaired by Rep. Hermilando Mandanas (2nd District, Batangas). The consolidated bill will be subjected for second reading in the plenary when the Congress resumes from break in November.
About Congresswoman Jocelyn S. Limkaichong:
The Honorable Congresswoman Jocelyn S. Limkaichong is a seasoned legislator and public servant. An ardent advocate of the Millennium Development Goals, she has championed measures and implemented programs that revolve around, and redound to, social reform and human development, rights of women and children, and good governance. She co-authored the landmark Cheaper and Quality Medicines Law; the General Appropriations Act of 2011; the recently-enacted law Promoting Financial Viability and Fiscal Discipline in Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations; and remains steadfast in rallying behind the immediate passage of House Bill 2687, “An Act Restructuring the Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco Products.” Consistent to her campaign battle-cry – “HEART (of Josy)”: Health, Education, Agriculture, Roads, and Trade and Tourism – she made potable drinking water systems and basic social services more accessible to far-flung villages; conducted regular school feeding programs, sustainable livelihood projects, and institutionalized health and medical care activities; and prudently implemented farm-to-market road projects in her district. A member of the ruling Liberal Party of the Philippines, she is currently serving her second term in the Congress representing the 1st District of Negros Oriental, central Philippines. She is a CPA by profession and was a successful businesswoman before she entered public service. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Major in Accounting, from the De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines, with honors.
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Contact
Office of Congresswoman Jocelyn S. Limkaichong
James Inawasan
(+632) 931-5001
www.congress.gov.ph/
James Inawasan
(+632) 931-5001
www.congress.gov.ph/
Contact
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