BIR intensifies IN tax mapping operation

BY LEILANIE G. ADRIANO
STAFF REPORTER

THE LOCAL Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) office here in Laoag City has intensified its tax mapping operation in the province to be able to meet collection target and identify possible tax evaders.

Next year or in 2011, revenue district officer Melanie Soriano said teams will be going from establishment to establishment to check whether businesses are complying with the BIR tax requirements such as cash registration, display of payment of annual registration and issuance of sales invoices and official receipts.

Though Ilocos tax payers are generally cooperative, Soriano said tax mapping, “Oplan Silip” and surveillance operations will be continued next year.

The BIR reported that as of the end of this year, they have recorded at least 241 cases of delinquent accounts amounting to P9 million pesos. Ironically, most of the delinquent taxpayers were teachers and law enforcers, said the BIR officials during a press conference organized by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) dubbed as “Kapihan sa PIA” on December 28, 2010.

“Hindi kasi tama ang pagcompute ng withholding tax,” said a representative of the audit and delinquent account division of the BIR when asked why most of the identified delinquent accounts were from the Department of Education and the PNP that are paying semi-annually.

The BIR warned taxpayers against violation of tax payments. She enjoined the public to help report violators if they will find establishments violating the tax requirements.

Delinquent taxpayers will pay 25 percent charge plus the accumulated interest and other surcharges.

source: The Ilocos Times - December 27- January 2 2011 issue