BIR Sets up “Tulongan Center” to Beat Filing of Income Tax Returns Deadline

LAOAG CITY,Ilocos Norte– Hundreds of local taxpayers here troop to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) office to beat the deadline for the filing of income tax returns (ITRs) set on April 15.

Revenue District Officer Simplicio Cabantac of the BIR Laoag sub-office, said Thursday that more and more tax payers are filing ITRs at the BIR’s waiting area to avoid penalty should they fail to file their ITRs on set deadline.

For the taxpayer’s convenience, Cabantac said that the BIR had set up ‘tax tulongan centers’ in Ilocos Norte’s big commercial districts such as at the Robinsons in neighboring San Nicolas town and at the lobby of Laoag Puregold on Saturday, April 12.

Earlier, Ilocano taxpayers were encouraged to file their ITRs early to avoid the rush and long hours of waiting.

Under the law, late filers will be imposed a 25 percent surcharge for late filing, 20 percent interest and a compromised penalty for late filing.

Cabantac said the BIR hopes to improve the province’s tax collection by sustaining its tax compliance verification drive. Revenue officers are also mandated to regularly visit the business establishments to ensure that business owners comply with their obligations.

He said that business establishments were required to hang their certificate of tax clearance and annual registration fee together with their sticker “Ask for Receipt” in a conspicuous areas within their business establishments.(PNA)