SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian pledged to pursue the enactment of his bill that will grant tax exemption on the honoraria, travel allowance, and other benefits of poll workers, including teachers, officials, and personnel of the Department of Education.

In 2019, Gatchalian filed Senate Bill 1193 so that poll workers can receive the full amount of their honoraria, travel allowance, and other benefits.

The election honoraria and allowances of poll workers, including public school teachers, have never been subjected to tax until 2018 when the Bureau of Internal Revenue imposed a 5 percent withholding tax. This has been increased to 20 percent.

Over 300,000 teachers will serve in the electoral boards on May 9.

Poll workers’ election honoraria remain subject to income tax if their annual taxable income exceeds the P250,000 threshold under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN Law.

Gatchalian said that those earning P250,000 a year had to submit a declaration of tax exemptions, a process that adds burden to poll workers.

The senator believes that giving poll workers the full amount of their election honoraria and allowances is the best way to show gratitude and appreciation for their work in  ensuring clean, honest and orderly elections.