BIR attains perfect score, all consumer complaints resolved

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) scored a perfect score for the seventh consecutive month as it resolved all consumer complaints filed from January to July this year.

BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said the agency has achieved 100 percent resolution and 100 percent compliance rates in complaints handling, based on the report from the Office of the President’s 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center (8888 CCC).

In the first seven months of the year, the BIR has received 842 citizens’ concerns that were resolved and closed within the 72-hour compliance period.

Lumagui said the remarkable accomplishments translated to a compliance rate of 100 percent on the prescribed 72-hour compliance period and 100 percent resolution rate on all referred concerns within said period.

“Achieving 100 percent compliance and resolution rates within the prescribed 72-hour window is a testament of the BIR’s commitment to providing swift and responsive solutions to the concerns of taxpayers,” Lumagui said.

The Office of the President’s 8888 CCC headed by director Bernadette Casinabe has expressed its appreciation to the BIR for its cooperation in ensuring that all citizens’ concerns lodged in the 8888 CCC are acted upon and resolved immediately.

“I pin my hopes on our revenuers and call on them to remain steadfast in our commitment to upholding our responsibilities and serving the best interests of the Filipino people. As the agency continues to strive for excellence, we are poised to set new standards for efficient public service and responsiveness,” Lumagui added.

The BIR increased its tax collections by nearly 40 percent to P273 billion in July as it ramps up enforcement activities to ensure that the full year goal will be met.

Data showed that BIR collections reached P273.23 billion in July, up by 38 percent from P197.39 billion a year ago. The amount was also five percent above the target collection for the month at P259.91 billion.

For the seven-month period, total collections improved by 12 percent to P1.492 trillion from a year-ago level of P1.33 trillion. This was 56.5 percent of the 2023 collection target of P2.639 trillion.

Lumagui earlier said the agency is confident it can attain, if not surpass, its annual collection target.

“This is with the intensification of our tax enforcement activities, specifically on the campaign against sellers and buyers of fake receipts,” Lumagui said.