New guidelines in securing tax exemption ruling for separation pay

Here is some good news:
Issuance of rulings on the tax exemption of benefits paid to employees separated because of retrenchment or closure of the business are now devolved to the Revenue District Offices (RDOs) of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
As we all know separation pay received by an employee, or his heirs, because of death, sickness, or other physical disability, or for any cause beyond the control of the employee, is exempt from income tax, and consequently from withholding tax pursuant to Section 32(B)(6)(b) of the Tax Code. Cause beyond the control of the employee includes retrenchment due to redundancy or installation of labor-saving devices, or due to closure of the business.