BIR-16 nets P170M from delinquencies

MindanaoToday.com | BIR-16 nets P170M from delinquencies

By: Uriel Quilinguing

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Bureau of Internal Revenue in Region 16 (BIR-16) had collected close to P170 million from tax filers who had availed of the ongoing tax amnesty program over the past two years.

Lawyer Helen Abellanosa, BIR-16 assistant regional director, said the P170-million revenue was generated from 7,940 taxpayers within their administrative area under the coverage of six revenue district offices (RDOs).

BIR-16’s RDOs are in the cities of Gingoog (97), Cagayan de Oro (98), Malaybalay (99), Ozamiz (100), Iligan (101), and Marawi (102). It has two satellite offices in Camiguin and Valencia City, Bukidnon.

But just like most Filipinos, many would want to beat deadline, Abellanosa said in a “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas” forum on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. BIR-16’s total revenues from tax amnesty covers 2022, 2023 and January to September, this year.

Under Republic Act No. 11956, the availment of estate tax amnesty has been extended until June 14, 2025. The Tax Amnesty Act of 2018 (R.A. No. 11213) which covered all unpaid internal revenue taxes for taxable year 2017 and years prior to it had expired on June 14, 2023.

R.A. No. 11213 gave estates of decedents (persons who have died), through heirs, executors or administrators the opportunity to settle their tax obligations without having to pay the penalties and interest accumulated for failure to pay on time.

In the forum, an audio-visual presentation indicated that BIR-16 has a P13.1-billion cumulative revenue collection from January to August this year—a 4.22-percent shortfall from its eight-month target of over P3.6 billion.

Despite the 4.22-percent deficit against their collection target, Abellanosa pointed out that they actually posted a 12.87-percent increase for the same period last year. And, of the 19 revenue regions, only two have surpassed their respective targets, so far.

Meanwhile, lawyer Al Philip Agad of BIR-16 assessment division, said all those who filed their certificates of candidacy for the May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections must register with the BIR.

Agad said that although all candidates may have their taxpayer’s identification number (TIN), still these must be updated because they are required by law to file statement of contributions and expenses (SOCE) after the elections.

Donations, he said, are taxable and this is the reason why markings of “paid for by” is required on campaign materials, be it printed or aired over radio and television.

“These may be in cash or in-kind,” Abellanosa added, saying that the monetary value of donated items must be indicated in the SOCE. (Uriel Quilinguing/MT)

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