BIR Says Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach Prizes Are Subject To Tax





The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Thursday said that the prizes received by Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach for winning the Miss Universe title are subject to tax.

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According to Manila Bulletin, the cash prizes and other awards received by the Filipina beauty queen in Miss Universe are subject to the maximum income tax rate of 32 percent.

The report added that only the Congress can exempt her from paying taxes by coming out with a special legislation.

BIR officials reiterated that as a Filipino citizen, the reigning Miss Universe 2015 earnings from within and outside the Philippines must be taxable. Another official also said that exempting Pia’s earnings from tax is one way of showing gratefulness to the honor she brought to our country.