Philippines

AsiaPHP43 Tax Treaties

Top Income Tax

35%

Marginal rate

Corporate Tax

25%

Standard rate

VAT / Sales Tax

12%

Standard rate

Capital Gains

15%

Standard rate

Overview

The Philippines offers a low cost of living with an English-speaking population. The tax system was reformed under the CREATE law with reduced corporate rates. Manila and Cebu have growing BPO and tech sectors. No formal digital nomad visa exists.

Income Tax Brackets

Income Range (PHP)Tax Rate
0 - 250,0000%
250,000 - 400,00015%
400,000 - 800,00020%
800,000 - 2,000,00025%
2,000,000 - 8,000,00030%
8,000,000+35%

CREATE MORE Act reduced rates. 250k PHP tax-free threshold.

Corporate Tax

Standard Rate

25%

Small Business Rate

20%

20% for domestic companies with net taxable income under 5M PHP and total assets under 100M PHP.

VAT / Sales Tax

Standard Rate

12%

12% standard VAT on goods and services.

Capital Gains Tax

Standard Rate

15%

15% on net capital gains from sale of shares not traded on the stock exchange.

Social Security Contributions

Employee

5%

Employer

9.5%

Self-Employed

14%

SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG combined contributions.

Special Tax Regimes

PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority)

Income tax holiday of 4-7 years followed by 5% gross income tax.

Eligibility: Must register as PEZA enterprise in designated economic zones.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Low cost of living
  • English-speaking country
  • 250k PHP tax-free allowance
  • PEZA incentives
  • Young workforce

Cons

  • 35% top income tax
  • No digital nomad visa
  • Infrastructure challenges
  • Natural disaster risk
  • Complex bureaucracy

Living Indicators

Cost of Living Index

28/ 100

Very affordable

Quality of Life Index

48/ 100

Average

Best For

BPO companiesEnglish-speaking marketcost-conscious businesses

Data Sources

Tax rate data for Philippines is compiled from the following authoritative sources:

Last verified: 2024-01

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Tax laws change frequently. Always consult a qualified tax professional before making decisions about your tax residency or obligations.