January 2020

PAS holds Tax Seminar  SGV People Advisory Services (PAS) conducted a seminar on year-end annualization tax requirements and Philippine individual income tax compliance issues for mobile employees on 11 December 2019 at the Washington SyCip Development Center (WSDC). Over 150 financial and human resources executives participated in the seminar.   PAS Partner CRM and Senior Directors Marlynda Masangcay and Jose Rey Manuel speaking at the Tax Seminar   Senior Director Rogelanne Villarubia welcomed participants to the briefing and PAS Leader and Tax Partner Czarina R. Miranda (CRM) provided a comprehensive discussion on year-end annualization. Senior Directors Jocelyn Magaway and Marlynda Masangcay discussed issues affecting mobile employees, tax updates that impact annualization and tax filing and registration requirements for local and foreign nationals. Senior Director Elena Manuel explained annualization results and tax administrative issues.   Seminar participants fill up the WSDC  PAS Executive Director Josephine Adalem discussed individual tax compliance issues of mobile employees and Senior Directors Jose Rey Manuel and Elena Manuel presented illustrative case studies on the different tax issues discussed. The seminar concluded with an insightful open forum.
FSO Director reaches for the sky  SGV Financial Services Organization (FSO) Director Ruben D. Simon Jr. celebrated his 10th year as a mountaineer by penning an article titled The Mountains are Calling that was published in the lifestyle section of the Manila Bulletin on 5 January 2020.   Ben at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro  Having completed over 100 expeditions, Ben has extensive mountaineering experience covering major peaks and sierras around the world. He shares three important lessons he learned after successfully reaching the summits of Mount Makiling in Laguna, Mount Pulag in Benguet and Mount Halcon in Mindoro. First, respect the mountain and take nothing but pictures when hiking. Second, never underestimate the unpredictable alpine climate and bring proper equipment. Third, hikers must mentally prepare themselves to face rough terrain and extreme temperatures. He emphasizes that successful mountaineering does not solely depend on strength but also on perseverance and endurance.   As an advocate of responsible mountaineering, Ben asks readers to help conserve and protect mountain ecosystems for future generations. He also encourages others to heed the call of the mountains and explore the wonders that the Philippine landscape has to offer.   To read Ben’s full article, go to https://lifestyle.mb.com.ph/2020/01/07/the-mountains-are-calling1/   This feature was written with the permission of the Manila Bulletin, where the article was first published. The Manila Bulletin retains all rights to the article. 
CCO speaks at ECCP morning coffee session  The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) - Cebu organized a morning coffee session on Tax Reform Packages and How to Handle BIR Audits last 16 December 2019 at the University of San Carlos. SGV Cebu Partner-in-charge and Tax Partner Cheryl Edeline C. Ong (CCO) led the session before financial executives from small and medium enterprises and export-oriented industries.   CCO speaking at the ECCP Seminar  CCO discussed proposed tax reform packages including the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (CITIRA) [House Bill No. 4157], the Real Property Valuation Act [HB No. 305], and the Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act (PIFITA) [HB No. 304]. She also discussed relevant BIR audit procedures and taxpayers’ remedies.