by Joseph B Zambrano

 Three days before the deadline on April 15, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Cordillera  is reminding taxpayers to file their Income Tax Returns (ITRs) to avoid  long queue.

With this year’s theme, "Buwis Mo Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas," the Bureau is intensifying its tax compliance verification drive to ensure that business establishments and the tax paying public fulfill the taxation requirements and that correct taxes are declared and paid.

BIR-CAR director Atty. Eduardo T. Bajador, said that a 20 percent interest and a 25 percent surcharge will be charged should a taxpayer fail to file income tax before the deadline.

He explained that establishments which under-declare earnings by 30 percent could be temporarily closed under their office’s ‘Oplan Kandado’ program while concerned owners or proprietors could be criminally charged under the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) campaign.

Meanwhile, Bajador shared that a bill was filed pushing for the creation of a unified invoice system which aims to enhance tax payment consciousness and improve collection.

House Bill 4089 proposes the centralized printing of official receipts (ORs) that shall be undertaken by only one printing outfit or factory under the direct supervision and control of BIR.

“It's about time that we adopt a unified invoice system to effectively reduce, if not eradicate, the irregularities and anomalies in tax collection and tax evasion,” he said

As indicated in the proposed measure, the BIR shall be mandated to create a centralized printing of all ORs that shall be classified according to industry, profession or business.

This will prevent the printing and issuance of double or triple sets of receipts as well as the printing of fake, spurious and unregistered receipts, Bajador added. (JBZ-PIA CAR)