THE tax filing season is fast approaching.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue in Cebu (BIR 13) is urging taxpayers to file income tax returns (ITR) and pay taxes ahead of the April 15 deadline.
“For 2020, we will continue monitoring our taxpayers on their payments and reportorial compliance,” BIR 13 Director Eduardo Pagulayan told SunStar Cebu.
The official advised taxpayers to take advantage of the different modes of paying their taxes.
“They can pay through our electronic filing and payment system, Paymaya and others for convenience,” he said. “I urge our taxpayers to pay their correct taxes on time to avoid being the subject of our enforcement activities.”
Tax returns filed and taxes paid after the deadline will be slapped with the corresponding penalties as provided for in the Tax Code.
Penalties include a 25 percent surcharge, a 20 percent interest per year and compromise penalty.
BIR 13 is tasked to collect P38.62 billion in taxes this year.
In 2019, BIR 13 collected P33.88 billion, surpassing its P32.879 billion goal.
Pagulayan attributed last year’s good collection performance to the taxpayers.
“Cebu was able to meet its goal and we exceeded the goal by P1.1 billion. We need these taxes to finance the basic delivery of services and the infrastructure program of the government,” he said.
While the bureau was bent on continually cleansing its ranks, he urged taxpayers to report “irregularities” committed by its field personnel.
The BIR has long been criticized as among the most corrupt agencies in government.
Targets
For 2020, income taxes account for more than half of the agency’s collection at a P23.37 billion goal.
BIR 13 also targets to rake in P10.09 billion in value-added taxes, which are collected from consumers’ buying activities.
The bureau is also set to collect P21.85 million in excise taxes from fuel, tobacco and alcohol products.
The BIR has been coping in its tax take since the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law, which cuts personal income taxes but imposes new excise taxes on cigarettes, sugary drinks, oil products and vehicles, among others. (CSL)