BIR padlocks restaurant business along Shaw Blvd

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is again going aggressive with its Oplan Kandado program, an anti-tax evasion campaign implemented by previous administrations.

The BIR has padlocked an establishment engaged in the restaurant business located along Shaw Boulevard, Kapitolyo City.

The agency said the restaurant violated the Tax Code particularly for failing to declare its correct taxable receipts and paying the proper amount of value-added tax (VAT).

In a statement yesterday, the BIR said it padlocked Jade Palace Inc., whose owners include businessmen William Ng and Michael Ng.

According to the BIR, Jade Palace underdeclared its receipts by more than 30 percent during taxable years 2008, 2009 and 2010 (January to June). Furthermore, BIR said that its investigation showed that Jade Palace Inc. understated its VAT receipts by P2.3 million, P2.4 million and P1.1 million during the taxable periods in question.

The closure, which came after the refusal and neglect of the said corporation to comply with the requirements specified in the 48-hour notice and five-day VAT compliance notice, was implemented through a closure order signed by BIR Deputy Commissioner for the Operations Group Nelson Aspe.

East Pasig Revenue District Officer Florante Aninag said that he recommended the closure of Jade Palace after it failed to settle its tax liabilities amounting to P5.9 million.

Aninag stressed that the restaurant will be temporarily closed until it complies with the BIR and settles its tax liabilities.

The closure of Jade Palace Inc. is the third one under the Oplan Kandado flagship project of the BIR during the current leadership of BIR Commissioner Kim Henares.