Senator reminds taxpayers: File ITR before April 17 deadline

MANILA, Philippines — A week before the deadline for the filing of income tax returns (ITRs) on April 17, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian is urging taxpayers to settle their obligation as soon as possible.

Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate ways and means committee, also called on the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to accelerate its digitalization program to further make it easier for taxpayers to settle their tax obligations.

“As responsible citizens of the country, taxpayers have a collective obligation to pay the right amount of taxes. Revenues generated by the government enable the implementation of various programs and projects necessary to promote economic growth,” he said.

“There is no reason for taxpayers not to be able to file their income tax returns before or after the deadline, especially since they can go to any BIR branch or bank authorized by the BIR,” he added.

He said the BIR has set a revenue collection target of P2.599 trillion for 2023 versus last year’s actual tax haul of P2.3 trillion.

By virtue of Revenue Memorandum Circular 32-2023, taxpayers can now file their 2022 Annual Income Tax Return on or before the deadline of April 17 and pay the corresponding taxes anywhere, meaning through any BIR-authorized bank or revenue collection officer and BIR district offices other than the one where the taxpayer is registered.

The senator earlier filed a bill seeking to empower taxpayers by educating them on their basic rights and obligations, which he hopes will subsequently enhance the government’s revenue-collection efforts.

Under Senate Bill 1199, or the proposed Taxpayers Bill of Rights and Obligations, Gatchalian seeks the creation of the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate, envisioned to ensure that taxpayers’ rights are safeguarded.