BIR And GCash Relaunch 1st E-tax Filing And Payment System In Philippines

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in partnership with GCash mobile money service, is set to re-launch the first electronic filing and payment system in the country last Apr 12, 2016. Together with the USAID Facilitating Public Investment Project and the USAID E-PESO Activity, these computerization and digitization reform measures aim to improve tax collection and administration, curb corruption, and strengthen business climate in the country.

“Sa patuloy na pagbayad ng tamang buwis, patuloy ang pag angat ng Pilipinas” [the continuous payment of right taxes will continue and sustain the growth of the Philippines], said BIR Commissioner, Kim Henares. The bureau aims to increase funding contribution for the country’s growing needs for basic infrastructure and social programs necessary to reduce poverty, thus, the government continues to push for the growth of the country’s fiscal space.

Globe Telecom complements government tax collection efforts by creating financial technology highways through its new wholly-owned subsidiary, Mynt. It designs revolutionary ways on how products and services are provided as it leverages on its telecommunications infrastructure, mobile money platform, and micro financing expertise.

Mynt is the holding company of G-Xchange, Inc. which operates GCash. “We are thankful for the confidence given to us by the BIR. Through GCash we aim to provide easy access to government services using financial technology solutions over mobile phones and simple person-to-person transfers that are reliable, more convenient and affordable,” said John Rubio, CEO of Mynt.

To this, GCash President Albert Tinio added: “GCash helps the government utilize mobile money for collections and disbursements of social welfare benefits, government fees and taxes. By limiting face-to-face transactions, GCash is able to increase access to government services and reduce potential leakages especially in hard to reach areas.”

GCash was first introduced for national tax payments in 2005. In line with the BIR’s thrust in expanding the provision of electronic services, most notably with the release of eBIRForms v6, an improved e-filing software that can serve all taxpayers, the use of GCash is now expanded to allow payments for all types of taxes. It also works with local and national government agencies to increase public’s awareness through the e-Bayad (https://m.facebook.com/ebayadtour/) campaigns and enable usage of electronic payments in government transactions.

With the BIR partnership, taxpayers can use their mobile phone to pay for all types of taxes in a few minutes instead of going to BIR Regional District Offices or Authorized Agent Banks with their cash or check. Paying with GCash is simple, they just need to (1) download the GCash App from Play Store for Android then register, (2) fund their GCash account from any GCash Partner Outlet, and (3) initiate payment via the GCash App.