Philippine Standard time

Taxation of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), March — April 2009


The study presents the tax treatment of OFWs, that is the taxes and fees/charges that they are exempt from and subject to. It also discusses the incentives and privileges of OFWs. OFWs are temporary contract workers, or those whose contracts are processed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) for overseas work for a specified number of years. The tax treatment of OFWs is similar to that of resident citizens. The only major difference is the former’s exemption from income tax on their incomes earned outside of the Philippines. The incentives and privileges are only simple means to compensate for the pain that they endure for the blood and sweat of hard work and consequences of being away from their families. Their burdens should therefore be kept light in view of their significant contribution not only to beefing up the economy but also to the assistance that they extend to the underprivileged groups and individuals in the country.

Citations

This publication has been cited time(s).