Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 17) — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is encouraging online filing of income tax returns on Monday, the last day for filing, to avoid hefty penalties or tax evasion charges.
The BIR is targeting tax collection of P1.83 trillion (US$36.6 billion) in 2017, with 60 percent of this coming from large corporate taxpayers.
The BIR requires individual taxpayers to file their returns via the e-BIR forms, which can be downloaded and filled up by accessing the BIR website.
This online system is credited for cutting in half the number of taxpayers crowding BIR district offices on deadline day.
Tax officials assured the users of e-BIR forms of smooth transmission as the e-system has been upgraded, with bandwidth being expanded, and special tax filing centers installed inside major shopping malls and city halls.
Overcrowding not expected
Overcrowding at tax filing centers is not expected, said revenue officials.
However, they urged taxpayers who choose not to do online filing to head to the BIR district offices to avoid the last-minute rush of taxpayers before the close of business.
The penalties for late payment after 5 p.m. Monday: a 25 percent surcharge, a 20 percent interest per year on your tax due, plus a compromise penalty fee.
But if you’re in the premises of the BIR district office before 5 p.m., you can still file your income tax return.
Payment of taxes has been facilitated by banks accredited to accept payments, and through the use of mobile phones. Globe, through GCash, has a payment option that allows all tax payments of up to P100,000.
