Taxpayers should study and keep up to date on seven areas of tax administration that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has focused in order to reach this year’s target revenue of P1.45 trillion.
Lawyer Emmanuel C. Alcantara, head for tax services of SGV and Co., advises the public to do this to avoid unwanted penalties and contribute to the development of the country.
The government through BIR was only about P75 million shy of their P1.25 trillion target last year which shows that they have become more efficient in collecting taxes and in the process has also been actively going after tax evaders, Alcantara said during last Friday’s Tax Forum at the Cebu Grand Hotel.
“The BIR has been issuing a lot of things amending policies like tax exemptions and taxpayers should be updated on all these developments. This is where they get funding for all the development works they have set which will help our economy,” he said.
Alcantara said that BIR has focused on seven areas for tax administration which includes taxpayer services, registration, filing and payment, audit, collection enforcement, legal enforcement and support.
“This is part of the BIR’s commitment to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meeting which the country will host in 2015. To meet the goal and in support of the government’s thrust towards good governance and fiscal sustainability,” he said.
Alcantara said the BIR is also continuously seeking to strengthen accountability within the bureau by appointing specific project sponsors and managers.
FLAGSHIP PROJECTS
Aside from the seven areas, the taxpayers should also be acquainted with the flagship projects being undertaken by the BIR.
These include the eCertificate Authorizing Registration (eCAR), OSTTT or the Online System for Transfer Tax Transactions and RATE or the invigorated Run After Tax Evaders Program, automated issuance of tax clearances for bidding purposes, Oplan Kandado, reengineering of other business processes especially for VAT Audit program, Arrears Management Program with requirements for VAT taxpayers.
Alcantara said the eCAR is a web-based system that automates generation of barcoded CAR. The BIR will use this to conduct pre- and post-audits of one-time transactions.
Proposed projects include online accreditation of importers and brokers, sales data controller for pilot gas stations, alternative modes of payment through credit cards, GIS or geographic information system using registration eSales and zonal valuation and expand computerized audit in revenue regions.
“Most of these are going towards more automation. They are trying to make processes easier and more convenient for everyone,” he said.
Ma. Teresa Chan, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, encouraged forum participants to learn more about taxation.
“We are seeing more transparency in the government now and our role as taxpayers is to pay the right tax. We have seen our economy grow, the taxes we pay will help fuel more development so I’m urging everyone to listen and learn more,” she said.