by A. Lumaque

Roxas City (15 October) -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue's (BIR) nationwide series of roadshows on Tax Amnesty Law will be conducted in Iloilo City on October 18 to inform the public of the new revenue generation program.

"The occasion will be an opportunity for delinquent taxpayers to know the requirements as well as how the amnesty program will benefit them," said BIR Regional Director Alert B. Alocilja.

The roadshow will also urge tax delinquents to come out and start with a clean slate by paying an amnesty fee.

"No less than Congressman Danilo Suarez who is the proponent of the tax amnesty law will be the resource speaker," added Alocilja, who graced the launching of the Nationwide Rollout of Computerized Systems (NRCS) at BIR Revenue District Office' (RDO) No. 72 based in Roxas City last October 10.

Cong. Suarez was among those directed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to formulate basic parameters on the issue pertaining to the generation of revenues that will help uplift the economy of the country.

The law is expected to generate more tax revenues by giving a chance to tax delinquents to clear their record by applying for a compromise settlement of a measly tax amnesty fee with the BIR.

Under the amnesty law, tax delinquents qualified for the amnesty program will no longer face tax evasion charges as long as they pay the BIR the equivalent of 5.0 percent of their net worth as of 2005.

In Capiz, BIR Revenue District Office (RDO) No. 72 encourages tax delinquents to "avail of the amnesty to free them from future investigation."

The District has also conducted an orientation on tax amnesty law and other revenue generating measures last month.

In the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), taxpayers with pending tax evasion cases can apply for amnesty but those whose cases have been decided with finality by the courts will not be allowed to apply.