RMC No. 97-2023

RMC No. 97-2023 (September 22, 2023) gives tax compliance reminders to candidates and participants in national, local, Barangay, and SK elections. BIR registration and the registration fee are not prerequisites for filing a certificate of candidacy, though a candidate may optionally register under EO 98 using BIR Form No. 1904 to get a TIN without paying the annual registration fee. Candidates who engage in business, make campaign-related purchases, receive donations or contributions, or have income payments subject to withholding tax must register or update with their RDO and pay the registration fee. A 5% creditable withholding tax under RR No. 11-2018 applies to campaign-related purchases of goods and services by political parties, candidates, and contributors. Candidates must keep records of contributions, donations, and expenditures for the COMELEC Statement of Contributions and Expenditures under RR No. 8-2009, issue Non-VAT BIR Printed Receipts for every contribution, and face penalties for non-compliance.