BIR installs public assistance kiosks in supermarkets

Internal Revenue Commissioner Dakila Fonacier said yesterday they have started installing taxpayer assistance kiosks in selected shopping establishments nationwide in line with the bureau's effort to extend services to taxpayers.

Fonacier said these assistance kiosks are made in cooperation with the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) and the Philippine Retailers Association.

He said this joint project, dubbed "Tax Tulungan Center," will assist taxpayers in any related tax repayment issues or schemes.

The BIR chief said the centers, to be manned and supervised by personnel from BIR, PICPA and PRA, will help taxpayers fill out their tax returns, answer tax-related queries, distribute forms, and information materials, accept "no payment" return such as break-even, exempt and refundable, among others.

He said the project was launched in Metro Manila on Feb. 12, 2000. These are located at Level 4 of Robinson's Place, Malate under the supervision of regional district officer Zenaida Garcia; at SM City Main Building; SM Megamall Building A; and at the ground floor of Glorietta in Makati.

Fonacier said the centers will operate every Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. until March 12. Centers will also be opened to serve the public in 30 selected malls nationwide beginning March 13 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

He said this project will help the BIR in facilitating the filing of tax returns for 1999 this coming April.

Financier, who assumed office only in January, believes that it is BIR's mission to work hand in hand with taxpayers in attaining their tax collection goal this year. To accomplish this mission, he said the BIR should properly educate and inform the taxpayers.