Tax Exemption of Separation Benefits Paid to Employee Separated from Service by Reason of Health Condition

September 8, 1992 BIR RULING NO. 256-92 28 (b) (7) (B) 191-92 256-92 Compania de Filipinas Tabacalera Bldg., 2nd Floor 900 Romualdez St., Paco, Manila Attention: Ms . Jocelyn P . Reye s Gentlemen : This refers to your request for a ruling that the separation benefits to be paid to Ms. Imelda Mercado by reason of health condition are exempt from all taxes pursuant to Section 28(b)(7)(B) of the Tax Code, as amended. cdpr Documents submitted show that your employee Ms. Imelda Mercado was certified by your Company Physician, Dr. Narciso A. Ronquillo to be suffering from End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and that said illness affects the performance of her duties and endangers her life if she continues working. Said finding is confirmed by the BIR Medical Officer. In reply, please be informed that pursuant to Section 28(b)(7)(B) of the Tax Code, as amended, any amount received by an official or employee or by her heirs from the employer as a consequence of separation of such official or employee from the service of the employer due to death, sickness or other physical disability or for any cause beyond the control of the said official or employee shall not be included in gross income and shall be exempt from taxation under Title II of the Tax Code. In view thereof, this Office is of the opinion as it hereby holds that any and all amounts which Ms. Imelda Mercado will receive as a result of her separation from the service of your company due to the aforesaid health condition are exempt from income tax and consequently, from withholding tax prescribed by Section 72, Chapter 10, Title II of the Tax Code, as amended by B.P. Blg. 135 and implemented by Revenue Regulations No. 6-82, as amended. It is however, understood that this exemption does not include the payment of Ms. Imelda Mercado's salary. prll Very truly yours, JOSE U. ONG Commissioner of Internal Revenue