Despite Cagayan De Oro’s Representative proposed tax exemption on Pia Wurtzbach’s winnings, the Bureau of Internal Revenue or BIR is apparently firm in taxing our Miss Universe 2015’s prizes.
Her Czech Republic-made crown is reportedly costs $300,000 and composed of diamonds, blue topaz, expensive crystals, gold, and blue sapphire.
According to Manila Bulletin’s online report, BIR mentioned yesterday that the cash prize and other awards Pia received for winning the Miss Universe title are subject to income tax. In fact, top revenue officials reiterated that as a Filipino citizen, Pia’s earnings from within and outside the Philippines must be taxable and subject to the maximum rate of 32 percent.
After 42 years of waiting, finally, the Miss Universe 2015 title was bagged by a Filipina beauty queen, Pia Wurtzbach.
As further explained in the article, the only way to exempt her from being taxed is if Congress creates a special legislation.
Significantly, CDO Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said that exempting Pia’s earnings from tax is our way of showing gratefulness to the honor she brought to our country. Those were the exact thoughts of other veteran lawmakers, when they granted tax exemption privileges to Gemma Cruz-Araneta.
Source: www.missosology.info
She won the Miss International title in 1964, in recognition for being the first Filipino and Asian to receive the prestigious award.
What did Pia earn from winning Miss Universe?
Pia gets a year-long salary (as Miss Universe) and luxurious accommodations with living expenses in a New York apartment during her reign.
Apart from that, she will also receive the following:
- 1-year scholarship from the New York Film Academy College of Visual Performing Arts
- modeling portfolio by the official photographer of the pageant, Fadil Berisha
- Dermatology and skin care services
- Dental services
- Health and nutrition consultation
- Personal services that include membership to Gravity Fitness at Le Parker Meridien Hotel
- Hair services from John Barrett Salon
- One year supply of haircare products and tools from CHI Haircare
- Skincare products from Image Skincare
- Shoe wardrobe by Chinese Laundry Shoes
- Swimwear from Yamamay
According to Tax Code Under Section 32, the prizes are exempted if the awards are accomplished by:
- Recognition of religious
- Charitable
- Scientific
- Artistic
- Educational and Literary Achievement
Meanwhile, Pia’s hometown, Cagayan De Oro and the whole Philippines are waiting for her homecoming on the 23rd of January 2016.
If you remember, most of our athletes, including our Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao was not exempted and was allegedly criticized for not paying the taxes correctly.
What are your thoughts about this? Share them in the comment section below!
As a taxpayer I cannot see any improvement; MRT and LRT are still crap as ever, huge traffic problem, fewer job opportunities for the public, provinces remains poor especially those in the agricultural sector. Just give the f**cking crown to BIR and let Henares wear it! For God’s sake, it is very ridiculous to pay that huge amount for a crown. As Jessica Soho reiterated, “Abunado pa siya [Pia Wurtzbach] dun kasi hindi magiging pera yung korona unless isasanla niya.” I want her to pay her fair share of tax; however, during these times when the liberal party is on the height of election campaigns, the taxes paid by millions of Filipinos, and eventually Ms. Wurtzbach will go to the political advertisements.
Miss. Universe isn’t charitable?! Grabe. di ba nahihiya BIR? Kulang nalang pati hinihinga natin lagyan ng tax eh.
walanghiya talaga ang gobyerno ng Pilipinas. Lahat may tax para may manakaw sila. nakikinabang ang mga hayop nang walang kapagodpagod. Honorable pa ang tawag ng madlang people sa kanila. what a shame. Mas mabuti pa na ang tax sa pinanalunan ni Pia ibili nya ng bigas at gawing lugaw para ipakain sa mga batang kalye na nagugutom at kinukulong ng gobyerno pag may mga dignataries na darating para wag silang mapahiya sa mga kabulokan nilang gawain.
This is why sometimes we think twice to bring pride to our country by competing to other nations with prizes like this. Apart of prepations, effort and strenght and power just to win the game, we are still bound to pay or even hunt by the government with this Taxes…. 32% Tax???!!!! What the f***k… I would rather use this Tax to buy the basic needs of a family in need like food and clothes, I will share the blessing to my country instead of giving it to those “buwaya” corrupt politician without a heart.
Doesn’t the Miss Universe organization fall in to the categories Artistic and Charitable?