Do seniors enjoy VAT exemption in promos?
This question is directed to Inquirer columnist Ramon Farolan or anyone who can answer my question regarding the senior citizen’s discount.
Gloria Maris Greenhills restaurant was offering a 50-percent discount on meals effective Feb. 15, 2013 to March 15, 2013, provided a Metrobank Platinum Peso Mastercard would be used to pay the meal.
Say, we are a group of four and all of us are senior citizens. If we avail of the 50-percent discount which is a promo offered to everyone, should they still charge us the 12-percent VAT from which we, as senior citizens, are exempted by law? I just want to know if the 12-percent VAT would still apply. My understanding is the 50-percent promo is a privilege granted to Metrobank Platinum card users, while the 12-percent VAT discount is a right granted to senior citizens.
I called Gloria Maris and I spoke with Ms Angie Tan and she said the 12-percent VAT will apply even if we are all senior citizens.
—LUIS ELLA JUICO,
