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Correct us if we’re wrong, but doesn’t this sound like red tape?
Bureau of Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina says winnings and awards are actually, really, tax-exempt.
It’s just, you know, the winners and the champs first need to secure an approval from the Department of Finance.
This was Lina’s response to Jujeath Nagaowa, the 27-year-old boxer and mixed martial arts champion who said she was taxed PHP5,819 in taxes to pick up her championship belt from the Bureau of Customs.
Nagaowa posted the Customs’ computation on Facebook. The computation showed that her belt had a dutiable value of PHP20,147.77. Customs duty is PHP3,027.13, with value added tax of PHP2,782.
According to Lina, computing for these things is but protocol on their end.
“Kasi pagka-compute po niyan, ang talaga pong rule eh pupunta kayo sa Department of Finance para bigyan kayo ng exemption,” the dutiful Lina says.
He says it all happened in the post office. Customs was only presented with the computation, but they also needed to see the official receipt.
“Ngayon ang hinahanap po namin ay yung official receipt kung nagbayad na po talaga,” he said.
“Lina said Nagaowa could refund the amount she paid if she secured approval from the Department of Finance,” reports Inquirer.net.
We guess red tape tedious paper work is Customs’ way of congratulating and welcoming home people do our country proud? Kudos!
