BIR sets higher targets this year

CEBU, Philippines - Now that the tax filing season has started, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) - Revenue Region No. 13 sets higher targets this year that is inspired with the remarkably high revenues posted in 2012, which surpassed the 2011 tax collection.

BIR OIC - Regional Director Hermeno Palamine described 2012 as the “bomber” year for the agency after collecting P14.96 billion of revenues which posted an increase of 20.37% compared to the P12.43 billion collected in 2011.

Revenue Region No. 13 encompasses the jurisdiction of provinces in Cebu and Bohol and is composed of five revenue district offices (RDO) such as RDO No. 80 - Mandaue City, RDO No. 81 - Cebu City North,RDO No. 82 - Cebu City South, RDO No. 83 - Talisay City  and RDO NO. 84 - Tabilaran City.

Palamine added that the region also exceeded its 2012 target of P14.8 billion by P129.79 million of collected revenues.

Among the major tax types, he cited that income taxes accounted the biggest share at P9.8 million or 65.7% of the region’s revenues for this year.

It is then followed by Value Added Tax at 22.7% or P3.4 million, other taxes at 6.56%, percentage taxes at 4.8% and excise taxes at 0.02%.

In terms of the share of the district offices to the region, RDO 80 and RDO 81 accounted almost half of the region’s collection at 39.01% and 32.29% respectively. 

RDO 82, 83 and 84 contributed 12.5%, 7.9% and 8.2% respectively of the region’s tax collection of this year.

This year, Palamine noted that the BIR - Revenue Region No. 13 is tasked to collect P19.05 billion which is considered to be 27.32% higher than the 2012 revenues collected.

For this to be possible, he said that the agency shall implement the annual agency priority programs of the Commission of Internal Revenue which are intended to ensure the efficiency of the organization, improve tax administration and to generate revenues.

He added that the bureau shall also continue its run for tax evaders, raids and the Oplan Kandado programs.

In 2012, BIR was able to collect around P12 862 000 after the region subjected 28 business under the Oplan Kandado program that are mostly on the ground for underdeclaration of income by 30% or more.

Palamine also said that the agency ordered an investigation activity last year and earned a collection of P428 million that is 24.20% higher to the P384.6 million collected in 2011.

He then expressed appreciation for the continued support and significant contribution of taxpayers, local government units, tax practitioners, revenuers, Integrated Bar of the Philippines - Cebu City and Cebu Province chapters, Cebu medical society, business chambers in Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Cebu cities, other civic organizations and accredited agent banks as partners for tax collection.

In its thrust to collect taxes and appeal to make tax compliance a priority, BIR Revenue Region No. 13 – Cebu recently launched its tax information campaign for 2013 with the theme “I love the Philippines, I Pay Taxes Correctly” last March 1 at SM City Cebu Trade Hall.

Information System Group Deputy Commissioner Lilia Guillermo said that the tax campaign aims to personally thank the taxpayers for helping BIR meet its targets and conduct programs to attain the targeted goal for this year.

She clarified that although BIR is an enforcement agency that runs to those who evade taxes, it commits itself to provide tax-payer friendly service with the adoption of technology.

Currently, she revealed that the bureau is working out on accrediting printers online.

Guillermo further reminded tax payers with their tax obligations for this year and encouraged them to file their taxes early than April 15 to avoid any inconvenience.  (FREEMAN)