14/09/2026
I might get attacked for saying this, but not being registered and deliberately not paying the taxes required from you as a VA/freelancer is NOT the flex you think it is.
I recently saw a freelancer proudly sharing that she finally registered her VA business.
Achievement niya ‘yon. She was happy that she was finally operating legally.
Pero instead of simply letting her celebrate, people were in the comments SHAMING her.
“Bakit kayo nagbabayad? Mapupunta lang naman sa corrupt.”
“Ew, nag-contribute ka na naman sa mga buwaya.”
“Nagbabayad naman tayo ng VAT.”
And I’m just thinking…
What happened to discretion?
What happened to understanding that non-compliance can have consequences?
And kailan naging flex ang PUBLICLY bragging about not complying with something legally required from you?
Gets ko ang galit sa corruption. Believe me, I do.
Kaya nga I’ve learned not to impose my decision to register and pay taxes on other freelancers. Your decisions are yours, and so are the consequences.
But being angry at corruption does NOT give us a reason to shame people who are trying to operate legally.
And please, let’s stop using “Nagbabayad naman tayo ng VAT” as if that settles the conversation.
VAT, income tax, percentage tax, and withholding taxes are different tax types. Paying VAT as a consumer does not automatically fulfill the tax obligations that may apply to you as a self-employed professional or business owner.
What bothers me most is this:
Ang daming freelancers na gumagastos ng oras, pera, at effort just to do things properly.
Nagpaparegister. Nagfa-file. Nagbabayad ng applicable taxes. Nag-aayos ng books and requirements. They deal with the hassle because compliance is part of running a legitimate business.
Tapos yung hindi pag-comply, gagawin nating life hack? Badge of honor? Something to brag about publicly?
And worse, we shame the people who ARE complying?
Make it make sense.
Question the government. Call out corruption. Demand accountability for every peso of taxpayers’ money.
But don’t confuse being against corruption with being above the law.
You can demand accountability from the government while also recognizing that you have responsibilities of your own.
Both can be true at the same time.
So if you personally choose not to register or comply, that is your decision and your responsibility to answer for.
But please, huwag nating i-flex. Huwag ipaglandakan. Huwag i-encourage ang iba na gawin din.
And most importantly, DON’T shame freelancers who are doing their best to operate legally.
Because tax compliance is NOT an endorsement of corruption.
And doing what is legally required of you should never be more embarrassing than proudly announcing that you don’t.
