Cebu-based BIR 13 Targets Php 25.9B Collection for 2015

(PNA) — The Bureau of Internal Revenue 13 has a target collection of P25.9 billion this year, an official said.

BIR 13 Director Hermeno Palamine said the amount is about 25 percent higher than last year’s target of P20.9 billion.

Palamine said he is anxious about the amount, noting that even last year’s goal was difficult to achieve.

Palamine said the collection goals set by the BIR central office are always much higher than the previous year’s goal.

The BIR 13 has collected a total of P17.3 billion for the first three quarters of 2014, which is 20.9 percent higher than the collection for the same period in 2013.

But Palamine said he believes they have met last year’s target, but he could not furnish the official collection report as some payments made through the banks have not yet been reflected in their system.

The BIR 13 shut down their system from Dec. 16 to Jan. 5 for routine maintenance and clearing of unused files.

Palamine said he met with his revenue district officers Tuesday and has instructed them to pay close attention to income taxes filed by establishments that have a tendency to draw large crowds during the holidays and the Sinulog.

Palamine said he created Task Force Traveler’s Haven to keep a close eye on such establishments and make sure they are complying with their tax requirements.

Palamine also reminded taxpayers the tax filing season has begun, even though the deadline for filing of income taxes is on April 15 yet.

He encouraged taxpayers to file their income taxes early so they don’t have to contend with the long lines as the deadline approaches. (PNA) FPV/EB