BIR expects P4B collection from tax amnesty program
By Rose B. Palacio
Davao City (26 October) -- Congressman Danilo E. Suarez, Chairman on Oversight committee (Quezon, 3rd district) said the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) projects some P4-billion additional tax collection from the national tax amnesty program being implemented across the country.
Congressman Suarez was in Davao yesterday (Wednesday) October 24) together with Atty. Ma. Victoria Reinante of the BIR Office of the Deputy Commissioner to spearhead the BIR Tax Amnesty Roadshow held at Grand Men Seng hotel.
The group was accompanied by Congressman Prospero Nograles of the 1st district, Davao City; BIR Davao regional director Atty. Marcelinda Omila-Yap; BIR assistant regional director Atty. Nuzar Balatero; RDO Jose Eric-Furia; Tagum RDO Atty. Franklin Ladores; Digos RDO Eddie Castillo; and Mati RDO Abilia Bentulan.
In a press conference, Congressman Suarez said that he based the projected P4-billion tax collection from the amnesty program as told to him by the Department of Finance in Manila.
Suarez said they are promoting the Tax Amnesty program for the public specifically the taxpayers to be guided on the implementing rules and regulations of Revenue memorandum circular 55-2007 of Republic Act 9480 known as Tax Amnesty Act of 2007.
The tax amnesty covers all national internal revenue taxes imposed by the national government for taxable year 2005 and prior years, with or without assessments issued that have remained unpaid as of December 31, 2005.
Covered under RA 9480 are individuals, whether resident or nonresident citizens or resident or nonresident aliens; estates and trusts; corporations; cooperatives and tax exempt entities that have become taxable as of December 31, 2005; and other juridical entities including partnerships.
Said tax amnesty shall not be extended to persons or cases existing as of the effectivity of RA 9480 like withholding agents with respect to their withholding tax liabilities; those with pending cases falling under the jurisdiction of the PCGG; those with pending cases filed in court involving violation of the Anti-Money Laundering law; those pending criminal cases filed in court or in the DOJ for tax evasion and other criminal offenses; those with pending criminal cases filed in court for felonies of frauds, illegal exactions and transactions, and malversation of public funds and property; and those tax cases subject of final and executory judgment by the court.
The whole day Tax Amnesty dialogue was attended by business sector; PICPA members; government and non-government entities; academe; members of DCCCI and Davao Fil-Chinese chamber of commerce and industry; and cooperatives. (PIA XI) [top]