Word: taxed
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...priority is to fix the economy "before it finds itself beyond hope of repair and [the Philippines is] doomed to share the fate of failed nations." She has followed up with a broadside of proposed reforms to eliminate the national budget deficit in six years, including eight new tax measures and other initiatives that she estimates will raise an extra $1.8 billion annually. She wants to change the corporate tax code so that amounts owed would be determined by gross rather than net income, which in theory would allow Big Business fewer deductions. She also wants to raise the country...
...surprisingly, the proposed increases are running into resistance from lawmakers and the public. Persistent press reports that the government wants to impose a small tax on every SMS message sent via a mobile phone drew protests in the capital from opponents arguing that the levy will unduly hurt the poor, who rely on SMS as the cheapest form of communication. The administration later denied an SMS tax was being considered?but that hasn't stopped a group of activists calling itself TXTPower from complaining. "We don't need any new taxes," says Anthony Ian Cruz, one of TXTPower's organizers...
...Unfortunately for Arroyo, many in the government agree. She needs to pass much of her agenda through Congress, but even her supporters there are arguing that the Philippines needs better tax collection, not more taxes. "The President must rein in the tax terrorists in her Cabinet," says Joker Arroyo (not a relation), a Senator who is usually a key supporter of the President...
...Parayno acknowledges that the inability of his understaffed bureau to catch deadbeats is part of the problem. He's been trying to come up with creative ways to strengthen collection and reduce corruption. Tax inspectors now carry wireless handheld computers that enable them to instantly check the tax status of any company or restaurant they visit by tapping into a database. To smoke out sticky-fingered tax officials, Parayno is employing "lifestyle checks" that compare their homes and cars with what they can afford on their government salaries. He is also stepping up efforts against people suspected of evading taxes...
...Parayno has had some success. Tax revenues are 10% higher so far this year than in the same period in 2003. But squeezing a populace that in general doesn't have much money can only get the Arroyo administration so far. Ultimately, Arroyo must kick-start economic growth. Although the country has scored a few successes?the Philippines, like India, has tapped into the global trend for outsourcing and now has some 60,000 people manning call centers?meager investment is holding the economy back. Net foreign direct investment totaled a mere $161 million in 2003, down from $1.7 billion...