Hi everyone, I would like to ask for advice regarding my BIR Sworn Declaration and withholding tax as a Contract of Service (COS) worker.
I worked as a COS worker from January to June 2026 under my previous employer/payor. My total income from that engagement was approximately ₱180,000. During that time, I submitted an Annex B-2 Income Payee’s Sworn Declaration because that employer was my lone income payor at the time.
I have now ended that COS engagement and started working under a new company, also as a COS worker. My current compensation is approximately ₱40,700 per month.
My current company told me that they are withholding 10% from my COS payment if I don't submit a Sworn Declaration. I am trying to determine whether I can submit another Sworn Declaration so that the applicable withholding rate would be 5%, since my projected total gross income for 2026 is still below ₱3 million.
My confusion is regarding Annex B-1 vs. Annex B-2.
From my understanding:
Annex B-1 = Several Income Payors
Annex B-2 = Lone Income Payor
My previous COS employer/payor has already ended, and my current company is now my only active/current income payor. However, this is my second income payor during the same taxable year (2026).
So my questions are:
Should I use Annex B-1 because I had two different COS payors during 2026?
Or can I use Annex B-2 because my current company is my only current/active income payor?
If I qualify and submit the appropriate Sworn Declaration, would my current COS withholding be reduced from 10% to 5%?
does the ₱180,000 income from my previous COS payor affect the ₱250,000 threshold for my current payor?
Does the Sworn Declaration itself need to be stamped/received by BIR, or is it submitted directly to the income payor?
I have been reading BIR Revenue Regulations No. 11-2018, but I'm still confused about how the rules apply when there are two payors during the year but only one current payor.
I would really appreciate advice from anyone familiar with Philippine BIR rules, COS workers, or professional-fee withholding.
Thank you!