Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has filed 127 tax evasion complaints against 214 corporate officers amounting to ₱6.1 billion.
“Ito talaga ang tax liabilities nila at….iba pa diyan mga witholding na, mga witholding tax na yan ay kinuha na nila sa mga kliyente nila at dapat nire-remit nila at hindi nila ginawa yan,” BIR chief Romeo Lumagui explained.
[Translation: These are their tax liabilities and some of these include witholding tax that they’ve already claimed from their clients which they should remit but haven’t. These are different tax types so they’re looking at complaints that are quite hefty.]
Lumagui was at the Department of Justice on Thursday for the second nationwide filing of cases against companies for non-payment of taxes. He warned companies not to ignore the BIR’s auditing process.
“Ang ginagawa kasi diyan kadalasan hindi pinapansin ang aming proseso,” he said. “Magpapadala kami ng letter of authority, i-o-audit namin dahil kasi meron kaming makikitang red flag o mali sa kanilang pagre-report ng revenues o sa kanilang pagre-report ng expenses.”
[Translation: They often ignore our process. We send a letter of authority, and we audit because we’ve spotted a red flag or there’s something wrong in their revenue reporting or how they report their expenses.]
Cases were filed against companies involved in the industries of manufacturing, retail, importers, and construction, among others. The BIR chief added penalties include imprisonment as well as civil liabilities.He urged the public to pay the right taxes.
“[I]wasan natin at wag na natin gamitin ang mga ghost receipts, wag na nating tangkilikin yan,” Lumagi stressed. “I-report natin ng tama ang revenues natin at bayaran natin ang buwis.”
[Translation: Avoid using ghost receipts. Report revenues correctly and pay taxes properly]
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