The Philippine travel tax is a fee imposed on Filipino citizens and permanent residents traveling abroad. It helps fund the government’s tourism and infrastructure projects. The tax amount varies based on the traveler’s status and destination, and it is typically collected by airlines or travel agencies at the time of ticket purchase. Certain exemptions and discounts apply, such as for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and senior citizens.
Usual Tax rates for the Philippine Travel Tax is at 2,700 Pesos for First Class Tickets and 1,620 Pesos for Regular Tickets!!!
Click the link below to know more about the Philippine Travel Tax:
Things You Need to Know About the Philippine Travel Tax
But did you know that there are instances that you could ask for a REFUND on your Philippine Travel Tax?
Refunds for the Philippine travel tax can be requested for several reasons. Here are some common scenarios where a refund might be applicable:
- Overpayment: If you paid more than the required travel tax amount or were charged incorrectly, you can request a refund for the excess amount. A good example of this is that you’ve got an ECONOMY CLASS Ticket but paid for the TAX for a First Class ticket instead, or your Business Class seats got a down grade.
- Non-Travel: If you paid the travel tax but your travel plans were canceled and you did not travel, you might be eligible for a refund. Cancelled Flights, or getting offloaded are some of the most common reasons for non travel.
- Duplicate Payment: If you accidentally paid the travel tax twice for the same trip, you can request a refund for the duplicate payment.
- Refunds for Certain Categories: Certain groups, such as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), senior citizens, and other exempt categories, may be eligible for refunds if they were incorrectly charged.
- Errors in Processing: If there was an error in the processing of your travel tax payment (e.g., incorrect passenger details or flight information), a refund might be warranted.
- Travel Tax Waiver: If you were granted a travel tax waiver or exemption but still paid the tax, you would be eligible for a refund.
Things that you need in order to apply for a Philippine Travel Tax Refund
Claiming your Philippine Travel Tax refund can be done within two years from your date of departure. You can visit TIEZA or the TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE and Enterprise Zone Authority offices or counters for your refunds.
If you’ve paid the the travel tax during your airplane tickets at Cebu Pacific Air, Philippine Airlines, then you can ask refunds directly from these companies.
Identification Cards need for your refunds:
| Original Passport | Original Social Security System ID |
| Original Government Service Insurance System ID | Original Driver’s License |
| Original Postal ID | Original Professional Regulations Commission ID |
Depending on your reasons, here are some documents that you need to present in order to get a refund:
| Reason for Refund | Documentary Requirements |
| Unused ticket *Refunds under Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific tickets will be handled by their respective airline | Original Passport TIEZA Refund Application Form No. 353 (signed by airline authorized signatory), if travel tax was collected by the airline Airline ticket showing travel tax collection Copy of fare refund voucher or certification from the airline authorized signatory that the ticket is unused, non-rebookable, and has no refund value. Original TIEZA Official Receipt (passenger and airline copies), if travel tax was paid directly to TIEZA |
| Non-coverage Non-immigrant foreign passport holders who are not subject to the Philippine travel tax if their stay in the Philippines is less than one year | Original passport. In case the original passport cannot be presented, a certification from the Bureau of Immigration indicating the passenger’s identity, the immigration status, and the applicable date of arrival shall be submitted. TIEZA Refund Application Form No. 353 Airline ticket showing travel tax collection |
| Travel Tax Exemption | Original passport TIEZA Refund Application Form No. 353 Supporting documents required under Presidential Decree No. 1183, as amended by P.D.1205 and Batas Pambansa Blg.38 on Airline ticket showing travel tax collection Original TIEZA Official Receipt (passenger copy), if travel tax was paid directly to TIEZA |
| Reduced Travel Tax | Original passport TIEZA Refund Application Form No. 353 Supporting documents required under Rule VII of the Rules and Regulations on Travel Tax. Airline ticket showing travel tax collection Original TIEZA Official Receipt (passenger copy), if travel tax was paid directly to TIEZA |
| Downgraded Ticket | Original passport TIEZA Refund Application Form No. 353 Airline ticket showing travel tax collection Certification from the airline that the ticket was downgraded or a certified copy of the airline flight manifest Original TIEZA Official Receipt (passenger copy), if travel tax was paid directly to TIEZA |
| Double payment | Original passport TIEZA Refund Application Form No. 353 Airline ticket showing travel tax collection Original TIEZA Official Receipt (passenger and airline copies), if travel tax was paid directly to TIEZA |
| Undue Travel Tax | Original passport TIEZA Refund Application Form No. 353 Airline ticket showing that the travel tax was collected and that the passenger is not subject to the Travel Tax Original TIEZA Official Receipt (passenger and airline copies), if travel tax was paid directly to TIEZA |
SAME-DAY REFUND (SDR) of Travel Tax paid directly to TIEZA at travel tax counters at various airport terminals within 24 hours from time of payment.
If you paid the Philippine Travel Fund at the airport hours before your flight and needs a refund, then you can do these:
| REASON FOR REFUND | DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS |
| Offloaded passengers / cancelled flights | Airline Ticket Certification from Airline Authorized Signatory |
| Entitled to exemption or reduced tax | Airline Ticket Documents to support entitlement to exemption or reduced travel tax. |
| Tax inadvertently paid twice for the same ticket | Copy of the ticket on which travel tax was previously collected or another TIEZA Official Receipt (passenger and airline copies) |
| Undue Tax | Proof that the ticket is not subject to tax |
Save this article for you or your family might have an unused international plane ticket or needs a refund in the future!!!