BI requires TIN for foreign workers
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2019 05:21:43 +0000
Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente reminded yesterday prospective foreign workers in the country to secure a Tax Identification Number (TIN) from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) before applying for a work visa.
“We are adjusting our policy in support of the BIR, to ensure that the government collects the necessary taxes from foreign workers ,” said Morente.
Morente added that the BI, as part of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Employment of Foreign Nationals, has been in constant talks with the BIR, the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor and Employment, and other government agencies to harmonize rules on foreign workers.
In a recently-released operations order, the BI required applicants for work visa a copy of their TIN card.
“This ensures that the BIR will be able to collect taxes from them,” he said.
Morente said that the move was a simple solution that would make a huge impact in internal revenue collection.
Meanwhile, Morente allayed fears of the business community on the restrictions set by the new rules on the Special Work Permit (SWP)
He explained the new rules do not impose added burden to professionals.
“It was put in place to protect jobs for Filipinos and ensures that blue collar jobs will not be given to foreign nationals,” he added.
According to BI’s new rules on SWP, only 14 activities may be issued the said work permit.
“These activities include highly technical activities, and they may stay here for a maximum period of 6 months only,” said Morente. (Jun Ramirez)