Promise 102: Intensify drive versus tax evaders

Status:

The Promise
Among his measures to shore up government revenues is to go after tax evaders.

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) chief Kim Henares and Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Lito Alvarez have vowed to run after tax cheats and smugglers as part of their marching orders from President Benigno Aquino III.

Quote/s
“Sa pangunguna nina Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, BIR Commissioner Kim Henares at Customs Commissioner Lito Alvarez, bawat linggo po ay may bago tayong kasong isinasampa kontra sa mga smuggler at sa mga hindi nagbabayad ng tamang buwis.”

Source/s

State of the Nation Address, July 26, 2010

Related Promise/s
Promise 93: No new taxes

Click links below to get updates on this promise:

• Updates on the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
• Updates on tax evasion cases
• Updates on the Bureau of Customs (BOC)
• Updates on smuggling cases

Cellphone trader slapped with P163-M tax evasion case (abs-cbnNEWS.com)

A telecommunications trader was charged before the Department of Justice (DOJ) by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for willful attempt to evade or defeat tax, deliberate failure to file income and value-added tax returns (ITR), and failure to register as VAT taxpayer. (Continue reading)

DOJ to sue Romulo Neri over taxes

Nakatakdang kasuhan ng tax evasion ng Department of Justice si dating SSS president Romulo Neri. Agad namang nilinaw ng Malacañang na hindi ginigipit ng gobyerno ang mga dating opisyal at kaalyado ng administrasyon ni dating Pangulong Gloria Arroyo. Nagpa-Patrol, Ina Reformina. TV Patrol, Mayo 11, 2011, Huwebes (Continue reading)

BIR looking into SALNs of 10 lawmakers

MANILA, Philippines - Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares revealed Tuesday her agency has requested the House of Representatives for the Statements of Assets, Liabilities and net worth (SALNs) of 10 congressmen to see if they are properly paying their taxes. (Continue reading)

BIR's Q1 collection up, attributes it to name-and-shame campaign

The BIR has surpassed its 1st quarter collection target of P197.04 billion. BIR Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares said the agency has collected P199.55 billion from January to March 2011. The BIR attributed it to its Run After Tax Evaders campaign, among others. (Continue reading)

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President Aquino calls for aggressive tax efforts (www.news.ops.gov.ph)

President Benigno S. Aquino III today directed the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to step up its tax collection efforts and raise the revenue level to at least 15 percent (as ratio to the national gross domestic product) to support vital programs and projects of his administration.

The Chief Executive said he is confident that a 15 percent tax effort ratio from the present 13 percent can be achieved as such has happened before.

"During the time of former President Fidel V. Ramos, we have reached the tax effort ratio of 17 percent. Let us help each other to increase the current 13 percent to 15 percent before my term ends," the President said in a speech during the 106th anniversary celebration of the BIR today at Agham Road in Quezon City.

He expressed optimism that the BIR could achieve its P860 billion revenue target for 2010, even as the administration tries to cope with a budget deficit, which could run up to about P320 billion by yearend.

As the main tax agency, the BIR collects more than 70 percent of government revenues, followed by the Bureau of Customs (BoC). The tax effort ratio measures the taxes or revenues collected by the BIR and the BoC as in relation to GDP.

The Chief Executive reiterated his directive to the BIR to intensify its implementation of the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) Program, which includes the criminal prosecution of erring businesses and individuals. (Continue reading)

Aquino gov't files 2nd tax evasion case vs construction firm
abs-cbnNEWS.com, July 29, 2010

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) - The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has slapped charges against officials of a construction firm who have been accused of failing to supply accurate information on their income tax return and to pay taxes amounting to nearly P69 million.

This is the second tax evasion case filed by the country's main revenue agency in line with the Aquino government's promise to crack down on cheats and smugglers to raise revenues and trim the budget deficit.

The BIR filed the tax complaint against Dennis Masigan and Natalie Ng Masigan, president and corporate secretary, respectively, of DSM Construction and Development Corp. They reside in the posh Corinthian Gardens.

Also charged was Eldrin Masigan in his capacity as vice president for operations of the corporation.

Aquino government files first tax evasion case
abs-cbnNEWS.com, July 15, 2010

MANILA, Philippines - The Aquino government filed its first tax evasion case on Thursday to launch its campaign to shore up shaky revenues and cut the budget deficit by cracking down on corruption and enforcing tax collection laws.

Finance officials went to the justice department to file tax evasion charges against pawnshop owner William Villarica, who they said paid only P25,600 in income tax between 1998 and 2009, but was able to buy a P26 million Lamborghini sports car.

"We would like to inform the paying public that it's no longer business as usual and chances of being caught is higher," Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima told reporters.

"There will be no compromise under this program," he added.