BIR goes after Mark Herras

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has filed a case against actor Mark Herras for allegedly failing to present his restaurant’s accounting records for 2008.

Herras is reportedly the corporate treasurer of Clubserv Bar and Restaurant at the Araneta Center in Quezon City.

The BIR’s legal division claimed before the Quezon City prosecutors’ office that Herras (Mark Angelo Herras in real life) violated Section 266 of the Tax Reform Act of 1997.

BIR lawyers Geraldine Llaguno and Oliver Correa claimed Herras failed to heed the agency’s subpoena for him to present his books of accounts.

The establishment was served with a letter of authority on Feb. 7 that authorized revenue officer Apolinario de la Cruz to examine its account records for 2008 to determine any tax liabilities and the correctness of its records.

“Notwithstanding several personal follow-ups and telephone calls to the subject taxpayer to present its books of accounts and other accounting records specifically stated in the letter of authority, said taxpayer refused to comply with the said request,” the complaint said.

The BIR last July issued a subpoena duces tecum ordering the actor to appear before BIR legal division chief Jose Ric Cabrera on Aug. 16 and bring the records, but Herras allegedly failed to present the books of accounts and other records before the BIR.