Filipino national athletes and coaches who bring pride to the country on the international stage are one step closer to receiving full, tax-free financial rewards.
The House Committee on Ways and Means has approved a key measure providing tax exemptions and incentives to national athletes and coaches, endorsing the tax provision under the Substitute Bill to House Bill Nos. 3668, 4452, 4582, 5408, 5633, and 7799. The consolidated bill seeks to expand the benefits under Republic Act No. 10699 or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.
The motion for approval was led by Leyte 4th District Representative Richard Gomez, a former athletic champion and currently the vice chairman of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development.
Under the approved provision, all incentives, rewards, bonuses, and other forms of emoluments received by national athletes and coaches for participating or winning in international sports competitions will be fully exempt from national and local taxes, fees and charges.
Beyond tax exemptions for athletes, the measure aims to mobilize greater private-sector sponsorship. It allows donations, gifts, endowments and contributions specifically intended for athletes’ training and competition expenses to be treated as allowable deductions from the donor’s gross income.
Rep. Gomez underscored that the sacrifices of Filipino athletes who represent the Philippines internationally warrant complete legislative and financial support, adding that hard-earned rewards should not be diluted by taxes.
“Rewards earned by athletes for bringing honor to the Philippines should reach them in full, while legitimate private-sector support for their international campaigns should likewise be encouraged through targeted tax incentives,” Gomez said. He added that the measure serves dual purposes, to honor athletes’ achievements while motivating corporations and private institutions to directly fund their preparation.
The committee’s endorsement marks a major hurdle cleared for the bill, paving the way for plenary deliberations as Congress seeks to institutionalize robust financial backing for the nation’s sports heroes.