by Juliet Saley

BONTOC, Mt. Province (30 October) -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) here has exceeded its collection goal for the month of September by P106,718.26.

BIR Collection Supervisor Esteban Acapen said the province was able to collect for the month of September P9,017,393.25 against its target goal of P8,910,675.

Acapen disclosed that the major factors to their successful tax collection were the remittances on withholding taxes from the government agencies, local government units and private withholding agents, remittances on withholding taxes from government purchases of goods and services, and the Value Added Tax collected from the Mountain Province Electric Cooperative and professionals.

Remittances of withholding tax from the government agencies and LGUs increased because of the near closing accounts wherein they have to make necessary adjustments to avoid surcharges, Acapen explained.

Acapen also admitted the province had fallen short in its collection goal in the past three months. The deficit was due to decreased remittances on VAT withholding by some withholding agents and withholding tax on salaries and wages by some agencies.

In a related development, new Revenue District Officer Josefino Ong announced that BIR Central Office issued Revenue Regulations No. 15-2006 which is on Abatement of all Penalties/Surcharges and Interests on Delinquent Accounts and Assessments as of June 30, 2006.

Ong said those who can avail of the abatement program are taxpayers with existing delinquent accounts or assessments as of June 30, 2006. They can avail of this program by submitting their application for abatement for every tax type to the concerned office.

He said under this program, taxpayers will only pay their basic tax excluding surcharges/penalties and interests. This program will be until October 31, 2006.

Ong explained that staggered payments of the amounts payable under the abatement program maybe considered on a case to case basis in accordance with the existing regulations of the Bureau upon approval by the Regional Director for Regional cases, and concerned Assistant Commissioner of Internal Revenue (ACIR) for national office cases.

For cases pending in courts, the concerned taxpayer shall fully pay the amount equal to 100 percent of the basic tax before the same should be withdrawn, following the existing legal procedures.