The PERA Tax Credit Certificate (PTCC) is an official document issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) that certifies your PERA tax credit for the year.
Your PTCC can be used as a tax credit against applicable tax liabilities, subject to your contributor type and the applicable BIR rules.
What is a PERA Tax Credit Certificate (PTCC)?
A PTCC is issued by the BIR to qualified PERA contributors and represents the 5% tax credit based on your qualified PERA contributions for the year.
The tax credit is based on your actual qualified contributions, subject to the applicable annual PERA contribution limit.
How much is my PERA tax credit?
Your PERA tax credit is equivalent to 5% of your qualified PERA contributions for the year.
| Contributor Type | Annual Contribution Limit | Maximum Tax Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Filipino resident | ₱200,000 | ₱10,000 |
| OFW | ₱400,000 | ₱20,000 |
For example, if you contributed ₱100,000 during the year, your potential tax credit is ₱5,000.
You don't need to contribute the maximum annual limit to qualify for a tax credit.
Who can receive a PTCC?
PERA contributors who made qualified PERA contributions during the year may be entitled to a PTCC, subject to applicable BIR requirements and validation.
The PTCC is issued to the individual PERA contributor and cannot be transferred to another person.
How do I get my PTCC?
1. Make your PERA contributions
Make qualified PERA contributions during the calendar year.
2. Complete the required information
DragonFi will process the required information for the PTCC application. Make sure your PERA account and contributor information are complete and accurate.
3. DragonFi submits the PTCC application
DragonFi, as your PERA Administrator, will submit the PTCC application through the applicable PERASys process within 60 days after the end of the calendar year, once all required information and documents have been submitted and the applicable requirements have been completed.
4. BIR reviews the application
The BIR will review and process the PTCC application.
The BIR's review and approval timeline is outside DragonFi's control.
The 60-day period refers to DragonFi's submission of the application. It does not mean that the PTCC will be approved or issued within 60 days.
5. DragonFi waits for BIR approval and instructions
After submitting the required information and documents, DragonFi will monitor the application and wait for the BIR's approval or further instructions before proceeding with the issuance of the PTCC.
6. Request your PTCC
Once the BIR has approved the PTCC and provided the applicable instructions, you may request a copy of your PTCC from DragonFi.
The PTCC may be provided in physical or electronic format, depending on the applicable BIR process.
When will my PTCC be available?
The PTCC application will be submitted by DragonFi within 60 days after the end of the calendar year, subject to completion and submission of all required information and documents.
However, there is no guaranteed BIR approval or issuance timeline.
The actual availability of your PTCC depends on the BIR's review, approval, and instructions after DragonFi has submitted the application.
Important: The 60-day period is DragonFi's application submission timeline. It is not a guaranteed PTCC approval or issuance timeline.
DragonFi will proceed with the next steps once the necessary BIR approval or instructions are received.
How do I use my PTCC?
The way you use your PTCC depends on your contributor type.
If you are an employee
Submit your PTCC to your employer's HR or Payroll team.
Your employer will apply the PTCC during the annual year-end adjustment of your withholding tax.
If the amount of tax already withheld from you is higher than your remaining tax liability after applying the PTCC, the resulting excess may be refunded by your employer as part of the year-end tax adjustment.
If you are self-employed
You may use your PTCC against your applicable income tax liability and report the tax credit in your applicable BIR tax return.
If you are an OFW
You may use your PTCC against applicable national internal revenue tax liabilities, subject to the applicable BIR rules and requirements.
When can I use my PTCC?
Your PTCC is generally used against applicable tax liabilities for the taxable year following the year when you made your PERA contributions.
For example:
| PERA Contribution Year | Tax Year |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 2027 |
| 2027 | 2028 |
The specific process for using your PTCC depends on your contributor type.
What happens if my PTCC is higher than my tax due?
This depends on your contributor type.
Employees
If your PTCC is higher than your tax due, the unused portion may be carried over to the next taxable year and deducted from your withholding tax.
Self-employed contributors and OFWs
If your PTCC exceeds your applicable tax due, the excess amount is forfeited and cannot be refunded or carried over.
Can I use only part of my PTCC?
Yes.
You may use only the portion of your available PTCC that you need, subject to applicable BIR rules.
For example, if your PTCC is ₱10,000 but only ₱6,000 can be applied to your applicable tax liability, you may utilize ₱6,000.
How long is my PTCC valid?
Your PTCC is valid for five (5) years from the date indicated on the certificate.
Make sure to use your PTCC within its validity period.
Any unused amount after the PTCC expires can no longer be used, subject to the applicable rules on carry-over for employees.
Special Situations
Can I transfer my PTCC to someone else?
No.
Your PTCC is issued specifically to you and cannot be transferred to another person, including your spouse, heirs, or another PERA contributor.
Can my PTCC be used to pay estate tax?
No.
A PERA PTCC cannot be used to pay estate tax.
An unused PTCC also cannot be transferred to or used by the contributor's estate.
What happens to my PTCC if I withdraw from PERA early?
Early or non-qualified PERA withdrawals are subject to the applicable PERA withdrawal rules and penalties.
If a PTCC has already been printed and released, it may be considered utilized for purposes of determining the applicable early-withdrawal penalty, unless proven otherwise.
For more information, see PERA Fees & Withdrawal Penalties Explained.
What if I change my contributor type during the year?
If your contributor type changes during the year, such as from OFW to Employee, special rules may apply to the use of your PTCC.
Make sure your contributor information is updated with your PERA Administrator as soon as possible.
Changes made after the PTCC has already been approved may no longer be reflected in that certificate.
PTCC Timeline at a Glance
| Stage | What happens? | Who handles it? |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Contribution | You make qualified PERA contributions during the year. | Contributor |
| 2. Requirements | Required information and documents are completed and submitted. | Contributor / DragonFi |
| 3. Application | DragonFi submits the PTCC application within 60 days after year-end. | DragonFi |
| 4. Review | BIR reviews and validates the application. | BIR |
| 5. Approval | BIR approves the PTCC and provides applicable instructions. | BIR |
| 6. Issuance | DragonFi proceeds with PTCC issuance based on BIR approval/instructions. | DragonFi |
| 7. Utilization | You use the PTCC according to your contributor type and applicable BIR rules. | Contributor / Employer |
Important reminder
DragonFi's 60-day submission period should not be confused with the BIR's approval timeline.
DragonFi will submit the PTCC application after the required information and documents have been completed. From there, the BIR's review, approval, and instructions determine when the PTCC can proceed to issuance.
Source: RMC No. 94-2026_redacted.pdf