(CNN Philippines) — Today (April 15) is the deadline for the manual filing of the income tax return (ITRs).
Many expressed confusion over the new policy which required certain taxpayers to file their ITRs electronically.
The policy, which was introduced just a month ago, drew flak from taxpayers saying that steps to educate them better about it is lacking.
Others also noted how the site was “under construction” when they tried to access the eBIR forms.
On Twitter, some netizens voiced out what they think of the new process.
#yungfeelingna anlakas magbigay ng deadline sa filing ng efps ITR, di ka naman maka-access sa website ng BIR. >.<
— Shane Jovir (@AutisticatedMe) April 15, 2015
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Pag mabagal ang serbisyo ang usual na excuse "Offline" po kasi. #BIR #Taxes #ITR #BULOK
— Dante Ayan Deato (@ayandeato) April 14, 2015
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Hoping that before BIR fully implement the online filing system
they shld ensure the programs can accommodate bulk transactions.—
Cora L. Tabucal (@CoraTabucal) April
15, 2015
This BIR's online filing system is a mess. Too many flaws and
glitches to go live. Tsk #epicfail—
Raymond S. Magtoto (@mond_04) April
14, 2015
sana matapos na yung issue sa BIR. wag na nila pahirapan ang mga
self employed.— Arpee Lazaro (@arpeelazaro) April
14, 2015
With the sentiments i get from taxpayers whom i talked with while
waiting in line to file my ITR, confusion is always present— manny
vargas (@VargasMannysen) April
15, 2015
I don’t think it's a coincidence that we find the word buwis
in the word buwisit.— chico garcia (@chicogarcia) April
15, 2015
Wala bang program ang BIR na magtuturo sa mga hindi marurunong mag
compute ng tax o sa proseso at forms na susulatan?— Michaela (@mjbclutario)
April
15, 2015
Though manual filing can only be done until today, the BIR reiterated Tuesday (April 14) that those required to file their ITRs electronically can do so until June 15.
“The June 15, 2015 deadline is for the electronic filing of NO PAYMENT Income Tax Returns using the eBIRForms. This is for those who are required to file their income tax returns electronically but who will opt in the meantime to file their NO PAYMENT income tax returns manually on or before April 15, 2015. Having filed their returns manually, they must re-file their income tax returns electronically on or before June 15, 2015.”
One taxpayer, Joy Aquino who works in an accounting firm said she has been waiting at the BIR district office in Quezon City for six hours already.
“Sobrang haba ng pila [at] mainit [pero] wala magagawa pagtitiyagaan talaga,” she said.
Aquino said that she had already finished filing the ITRs of clients mandated to file online.
However, the confusion over BIR’s instructions after the filing process prompted her to still go to the district office just to be safe.
She said that though the electronic filing policy shows BIR’s intention to improve its service, it would have been better if the agency also prepared for its implementation.
BIR Commissioner Kim Henares, meanwhile, noted a decrease in the number of last-minute tax filers during her rounds on different BIR district offices today.
She attributed this to the implementation of the electronic filing policy.
Other taxpayers, on the other hand, voiced out on social media their hope for the taxes to be put into public service.
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BIR big day. Dunno what emoticon to use. #lettaxesgotopublicservicenottopockets
— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) April 15, 2015
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Last day ng filing ng ITR! Efficient tax collection. Let us Pray
that someday we will see Efficient Spending of Peoples Money!— Manny
Luzon (@mannluzon) April
14, 2015
sobrang sipag kumuha ng buwis ni kim henares ang lungkot lang kasi
hindi naman nattrickle down sa tama— astrid (@astrocampo) April
15, 2015
