#AskTheTaxWhiz: Beauty comes with a price, plus tax

The cosmetic surgery of Marlou Arizala aka Xander Ford, an internet sensation turned celebrity, became viral. One of the cosmetic procedures done to him is a rhinoplasty or nose job which amounted to almost half a million pesos, according to the news. If somebody would like to undergo the same cosmetic procedure now, is it true that it will now be subject to excise tax? What are the other cosmetic procedures subject to excise tax?

Yes. A rhinoplasty is an invasive cosmetic procedure which is subject to 5% excise tax under Section 46 of Republic Act (RA) No. 10963. An invasive cosmetic procedure refers to surgery that is carried out through the skin or through a body cavity or anatomical opening. Invasive cosmetic procedures include but are not limited to the following: liposuction, breast augmentation, facelift, among others.

A new billboard along EDSA shows veteran broadcaster Korina Sanchez who underwent a cosmetic procedure called Thermage to achieve a thinner face. Is this cosmetic procedure subject to excise tax? What are excluded from the new excise tax on cosmetic surgery?

No. Thermage is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure which is exempt from excise tax.

Other non-invasive cosmetic procedures which are exempt from excise tax include Botox, cleanings, and facials, among others.

Would just like to thank the Belo Group for trusting me enough to carry their Belo Thermage brand. Am very happy with the concept and layout, thought it quite clever. Am amused with the different reactions to the board, mostly of some form of shock (hahahaha), and am grateful to all those who went out of their way to message me, text me and even call me to let me know they like it. People who haven’t seen me in a while or maybe haven’t started following me on IG or FB are wondering aloud: HOW DID SHE GET THAT THIN? How did her face get that small?  Well, there are no shortcuts to getting fit. You just have to watch what you eat. To get toned you have to exercise. And that’s what I did. Lost 15 lbs and I purposely got darker. I like to be tanned. So, now, with the weight loss, my face is “da sky is falling”, gravity beckons. What to do??? Stay tuned. At 7:30 pm I’ll be posting the three step simple, painless and non-surgical process I did with Belo that made my face shrink from large to small! #korinasanchezforbelothermage

A post shared by Korina Sanchez-Roxas (@thisiskorinasanchezroxas) on Jan 15, 2018 at 2:30am PST

I downloaded a copy of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law. After browsing through the 106-page document, I still can’t figure out how TRAIN will affect me and my business. Is there an easy reference or handbook explaining the law in layman’s terms?

Yes. We launched a TRAIN Handbook featuring 100 questions about the TRAIN law last Friday, January 26. The TRAIN Handbook is a simple and concise guide that would address common tax concerns of a business owner.

For bulk orders, email us at consult@acg.ph or call (02) 3725727.

You may also follow us on Facebook for the schedule of TRAIN seminars. – Rappler.com

Mon Abrea, popularly known as the Philippine Tax Whiz, is one of the 2016 Outstanding Persons of the World, a Move Awards 2016 Digital Mover, one of the 2015 The Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines (TOYM), an Asia CEO Young Leader of the Year, and founder of the Abrea Consulting Group and Center for Strategic Reforms of the Philippines (CSR Philippines). He currently serves as Adviser to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue of the Philippine government on tax administration reform in promoting inclusive growth. Follow Mon on Twitter (@askthetaxwhiz) or visit his Facebook page. You may also email him at consult@acg.ph.