http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/177901/bir-late-tax-filers-face-stiff-penalties
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said the April 16 deadline for the filing of income tax returns (ITRs) will not be extended and those who failed to beat the cutoff date face stiff penalties.
Penalties for late filing include a 20-percent interest per annum, a 25-percent surcharge and a compromise fee dependent on one’s tax due.
The BIR had been urging the public to file their ITRs and pay their taxes on time, hoping to generate significant tax revenues early in the year given its task to fund bulk of the government’s higher expenditure requirements for 2012.
There is now an option for taxpayers to file tax returns and pay taxes online.
The BIR offices remained open even after the previously announced 5 p.m. closing time on Monday.
“It has always been this way. People still choose the last day to file their ITRs,” said revenue officer Benjamin Casals.
Casals noted that the new ITR forms caused a bit of confusion among taxpayers although tax officers were on hand for those who need assistance.
BIR Commissioner Kim Henares noted that the new forms, downloadable from the BIR’s website (www.bir.gov.ph), require more taxpayer information.
“The interactive [version] of the forms are made available so people may fill it up on the computer before printing so they won’t have to get in line to acquire forms in their respective regional branches anymore,” an information officer said.
Taxpayers may also pay taxes through accredited agent banks, a list of which is posted on the website.
The BIR is tasked to collect P1.066 trillion in taxes this year to help fund the government’s expenditure programs. With a report from Julie M. Aurelio and Daphne Magtubo, trainee
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As
I have finished reading the whole article, I truly felt pleased with
the improvement that the government is showing to us right now.
They’ve been acting responsible and dependable lately. No wonder
that the newly elected president is very much suited in his position.
Being silent, and being a media-avoiding person, we couldn’t help
thinking of what are his thoughts, his plans… of what are his
future actions! But as we see it now, all he’s just been doing is
working on some strategies on how to make our country more
productive. And as a result, we see that Philippines economy is
slowly ascending, proving to us on how serious he is to be of
service. He has implemented strict rules that would surely bring
Philippines into prosperity once again. Not only it would make our
country more progressive, but it would also guide us, citizens, to be
more disciplined and responsible.
Implementing
this strict ITR (Income Tax Return) rule would take a big step in
changing everything about the Philippines and it's people. As we have observed, for
how many years, people in the Philippines have been proven
hard-headed, and rule-breakers. But as these simple policies have
been initiated and approved by the BIR, and the president himself,
may these first new set rules be gladly followed by all of the
Filipinos, to make positive changes for our country.
As
for us citizens, in order for the government to be fair to us, I
suggest that they issue us official receipts…receipts that would
definitely ensure us that the taxes we pay would go straight to the
government projects…especially in helping the poor and maintaining
the economic growth… which would really provides us additional
employment.
All
in all, the whole country must cooperate in order for the Philippines
to succeed in growing its economy. And with the changes that the
government is showing us right now, we must also participate! We can
achieve happiness, if only we want it so badly, that’s why there is
a need for us to collaborate and trust one another, so that we won’t
face poverty again.
