53 complaints worth P3.57 billion filed vs tax evaders

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 53 criminal complaints for tax evasion amounting to P3.57 billion have been filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against erring individuals and corporate taxpayers for violating the National Internal Revenue Code, according to the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. yesterday said he had ordered the nationwide filing of criminal complaints under the agency’s Run After Tax Evaders Program, which was established to require BIR officials and employees to investigate criminal violations and assist in the prosecution of criminal cases.

“We did this because we want to convey to the public, to our people that especially when the tax filing season is coming, we need to make sure that when we file our returns, we pay our proper taxes correctly. If not, we will file a case,” Lumagui told reporters.

An additional 21 cases amounting to P15.94 million were filed locally.

Violations charged include willful failure to pay taxes and remit income tax liabilities and willful attempt to evade payment of taxes due.

Also covered are those who filed their tax returns without corresponding payments.

Based on BIR’s filing before the DOJ, the revenue region of Caloocan City filed nine cases amounting to P827 million in tax evasion, Manila with two (P13.9 million), Quezon City with four (P50.4 million), Makati with 10 (P1.7 billion), South Metro Manila with seven (P413.7 million), Cebu City with three (P44.8 million), Cagayan de Oro City with three (P16.6 million), Butuan City with three (P149.1 million).

Meanwhile, the revenue region of Cavite, Batangas, Mindoro and Romblon filed six (P115.2 million); Laguna, Quezon and Marinduque with five (P114.1 million), and the Large Taxpayers Service of the National Office of BIR filed one amounting to P96.6 million.

“These are private corporations and big individuals. Many of them declare their taxes but they don’t pay for it. Sometimes we see schemes like this wherein they file returns but they don’t pay taxes,” Lumagui said.

“Maybe they expect that we won’t look at it, that when they file a return, we won’t monitor if the tax they declare is actually paid,” he added.

Lumagui earlier said one of the main thrusts of the BIR is to Intensify its enforcement activities.

“The BIR is serious in pursuing its enforcement activities on a national scale,” he said, adding that the agency will ensure that everyone is paying their fair share of taxes. – Louise Maureen Simeon