BIR goes after Ensogo, CashCashPinoy

MANILA – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has filed separate criminal complaints against the operators of online shopping sites Ensogo and CashCashPinoy for alleged failure to pay the correct taxes.

The BIR said charges were filed against Ensogo Inc., its president Krit Srivorakul and treasurer Xelynne de Lara for willful failure to remit taxes and deliberate failure to pay taxes from October 31, 2011 to October 31, 2014 amounting to P36.1 million, inclusive of surcharge, interest, and compromise penalty.

Ensogo provides marketing services to its merchants, which are engaged in the leisure, catering and entertainment industries.

It serves as a withholding agent mandated to withhold taxes on various income payments to its suppliers and to withhold taxes on the compensation of its employees, and an Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS) taxpayer.

However, BIR said investigators discovered that while Ensogo electronically filed its withholding tax and value-added tax (VAT) returns, it “deliberately, willfully, and continuously failed” to remit taxes withheld and/or pay the corresponding withholding taxes and VAT due thereon, whether electronically or manually resulting to considerable revenue losses for the government.

The Ensogo website sells a selection of products, services and travel offers at discount prices to customers in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

Ensogo, on the other hand, was founded in 2010 and has a registered office at the Bonifacio Global City.

CashCashPinoy says it is paying taxes

Charges were also filed against Moonline Inc., which is engaged in the sale of products and services through the deals website CashCashPinoy, its president Frederic Elie Levy and treasurer Bernadette Levy for willful attempt to evade or defeat tax, and deliberate failure to supply correct and accurate information in its income tax returns (ITR) for taxable years 2011, 2012 and 2013.

The case against Moonline Inc. stemmed from the BIR's campaign to improve revenue collections to meet its collection target by capturing into the tax net the sale of products and services through online websites.

The BIR said that based on its investigation, Moonline underdeclared its correct taxable income by 23 percent or P9.31 million in 2011, by 240 percent or P111.09 million in 2012, and by 181 percent or P129.88 million in 2013.

Moonline was also sued for an aggregate income tax liability amounting to P132.51 million, inclusive of surcharges and interests.

In a statement, Moonline denied the allegations, saying it has paid the proper taxes.

"Our company has always paid the proper taxes as any law abiding business in the Philippines should. In addition to this, Since 2011, Moonline is audited every year by the firm KPMG. We have not been officially notified of any complaints against us for alleged failure to pay the correct taxes. Should there be additional requirements from the Bureau of Internal Revenue, we are ready to comply with them," the company said.

Moonline’s CashCashPinoy was founded in 2011 and holds its offices in Paseo De Roxas, Makati City.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao to sell Forbes Park mansion for P708-M - report

MANILA, Philippines – Even as he prepares for his upcoming title clash against Chris Algieri, word is spreading about Manny Pacquiao putting up his Forbes Park mansion for sale.

The Philippine Star columnist Babe Romualdez said that the eight-division champion, who has been hounded by his P3 billion-tax liability case, is selling the 1,500-square meter property for P708 million.

“One of our real estate informants told Spy Bits that Sarangani Congressman Manny Pacquiao is about to sell his house located at Cambridge Circle in Forbes Park for P708 million,” Romualdez said in his column Spybits.

Pacquiao bought the mansion for P388 million back in 2011 while he was still the world's pound-for-pound champion.

Pacquiao is set to earn a guaranteed $25 million (roughly P1.1 billion) in his WBO welterweight title defense against Algieri in Macau this weekend.

The fighting congressman, who also recently dabbled in professional basketball, is locked in a legal battle with the BIR and the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) over his tax liability.

The bureau is going after Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee for allegedly failing to settle his tax deficiencies with the government, which have ballooned to over P3 billion.

Pacquiao sought the help of the CTA, but the court has asked the boxer to cough up a cash bond of P3.2 billion or a P4 billion surety bond.

He went to the Supreme Court, which issued a temporary restraining order on the tax case.

Malacanang, meanwhile, wished Pacquiao all the best in his Macau fight.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said the whole country is hoping for their hero's victory on Sunday.

"Nawa'y pagpalain siya ng Panginoon na magkaroon ng sapat na lakas at gilas upang maipagwagi ang laban niya at magdulot ng ibayong karangalan sa bansang Pilipinas!" he said in a statement.

"We are confident that the Pacman will bear the flag proudly again this time," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said for her part.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Philam accused of tax avoidance on sale of firms

MANILA – Philippine American Life and General Insurance Co. (Philam) is being accused of refusing to pay taxes for the sale of its two subsidiaries to the Tanco Group in an auction in 2009.

The Tanco Group’s Philplans First Inc. lambasted Philam, saying that the tax clearances needed to register the sale of the two companies--Philam Plans and Philhealthcare--could not be obtained because of the alleged unpaid taxes to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Philplans First said Philam was fully paid five years ago, adding that the Tanco Group did its part by paying the taxes due from it as buyer.

“BIR already ruled in February 2012 that Philam is liable to pay the deficiency tax, and even emphasized that the tax code clearly says that there are no exemptions,” said Philplans chairman Monico Jacob.

Jacob said the exact amount of deficiency taxes due from Philam was not available, but he said the amount “runs in the hundreds of millions of pesos.”

Jacob also said that after BIR issued the ruling, the co-owner of Philam in Philhealthcare, United Health Group, dutifully paid its share of the same taxes being assessed to Philam.

Philhealthcare, prior to the sale, was equally owned by United Health Group and Philam.

"But Philam is still holding out and has been asking us to be patient. Puro mag-usap tayo. Limang taon na kaming nag-uusap, wala pa ring nangyayari,” said Jacob.

"In one correspondence to us, Philam admitted the high tax exposure was 'not contemplated.' If that was their mistake, it should not be at our expense. We bought something, paid for it in full and expect no less than the full transfer of the companies in our name,” he added.

Jacob stressed that the Tanco Group has suffered damages due to the delay, noting that the issue involves “corporate integrity.”

Philam, meanwhile, said the matter has been brought to the court, but no ruling has been made so far.

“The issue of any tax obligations to our company related to the sale of the former subsidiaries is a matter we have presented to the courts following advice from our legal counsel. The matter before the courts is the amount of the BIR assessment related to that transaction,” it said in a statement.

Philam said Philplans First Inc. is aware of this and have been regularly updated with developments in the case.

It also said that it will abide by whatever the court’s decision is, adding that it remains committed to honoring its commitments to the BIR.

“This is a matter that will be resolved as soon as the court has made a decision on the appeal. In the meantime, as always, we will continue to honor all obligations to all of our stakeholders and to comply fully with our fiscal obligations,” Philam said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Arum insists Pacquiao fulfilled duties with IRS

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing promoter Bob Arum insisted that his prized fighter Manny Pacquiao has already fulfilled his tax obligations in the United States, contrary to what has been claimed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Arum said his outfit, Top Rank Inc., has already supplied every document the BIR needed to prove that the boxer has nothing or very little to settle with the local internal revenue service.

Top Rank is in charge of processing Pacquiao’s tax obligations with the US Internal Revenue Service.

“That stuff with the Philippines taxes is ridiculous. We've supplied them with all of our records showing that we've deducted and withheld 30% of Manny's purses and remitted it to the IRS. We have receipts from the IRS, everything,” Arum said in USA Today.

“Manny owes no tax or very little tax in the Philippines because he paid the taxes on his income that doesn't come from the United States. The U.S. and Philippines have a treaty where its people can't be double-taxed,” he added.

Arum blames Pacquiao’s tax woes to local politics.

“I wanna ask the BIR ...how many times have they asked for certification from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)? Probably slim and far between. So what they're doing to Manny is absolutely outrageous and it's politics at its worst,” the promoter said in a separate interview with ABS-CBN North America’s Bev Llorente.

Arum, however, could not defend Pacquiao’s spending habits. In a separate article, the promoter said the boxer is being too generous with his money.

Arum hinted that the Filipino fighter might find himself in dire straits if he doesn’t to handle his riches well.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Top Rank mails US tax returns to Pacquiao lawyers

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Boxing promotion company Top Rank Inc. has already mailed certified true copies of Filipino champ Manny Pacquiao's tax returns in the US to the fighting congressman's lawyers in the Philippines, its CEO Bob Arum said.

Top Rank's chief financial officer, Dave Lopez, also exclusively showed Pacquiao's tax returns to ABS-CBN North America Bureau in light of the boxer's tax problems with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in the Philippines.

Arum, a former tax lawyer himself who used to work for the Department of Justice tax division in New York, said it was his job to take taxes religiously before he became a promoter.

Noting that there are many Filipinos working in the US who pay taxes and are also obligated to pay taxes in the Philippines, Arum said: “I wanna ask the BIR ...how many times have they asked for certification from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)? Probably slim and far between. So what they're doing to Manny is absolutely outrageous and it's politics at its worst.”

Arum then invited BIR commissioner Kim Henares to send her agents from the Philippines to the United States to look and audit all of Pacquiao's earnings from Top Rank.

“Let them come to our office let them sit down and we will take them through every single wire transfer because I can represent here today that for all the time we promoted Manny 30 percent was taken out of any moneys paid to Manny and that includes not only his fights but also endorsements in the United States,” he said.

According to Arum, under US law, Top Rank promotions is required to pay the IRS funds withheld from fights and endorsements in the US, and copy-furnish those withholdings electronically to the BIR.

However, he said the BIR does not accept this information by this procedure and is demanding a certified true copy obtained from the IRS.

Arum insisted that Top Rank has provided all the necessary and pertinent papers as well as receipts to prove that Pacquiao has paid taxes in the US.

But he remains hopeful that the bell will ring soon to bring an end to Pacquiao's current tax bout.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Which car company is a top PH taxpayer?

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has released a list of top car manufacturers, importers and distributors and the corresponding 2012 income tax dues of these companies to determine if they have been paying the right taxes.

In its latest Tax Watch ad, BIR revealed that Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. and its luxury vehicle arm Lexus Manila Inc. sold the most units and at same time paid the most taxes in 2012.

Toyota and Lexus sold 65,396 units and paid a total of P1.37 billion in income taxes.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp., which sold 34,915 units, is the second top taxpayer among car brands with P455.29 million taxes paid in 2012.

Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. sold the third most units at 21,996 and paid P234.61 million in taxes.

Honda Cars Philippines came in fourth in units sold, but only paid P25.115 million in taxes. Honda was the only car company listed in the top 5 in sales but failed to make it in the top 5 in taxes paid.

Isuzu Philippines Corp. paid more taxes than Honda at P100.31 million despite selling fewer units at 11,759.

The BIR said the list of top brands based on sales was posted on the website of Top Gear Philippines.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

CTA denies issuing freeze order on Pacquiao accounts

The Court of Tax Appeals denied it has issued any freeze order on the bank deposits of boxing champ and congressman Manny Pacquiao, in connection with a P2.2 billion tax evasion case.

"The CTA has not issued any order freezing the bank accounts of Pacquiao. It is the BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) which issued a warrant of garnishment to the banks, which in effect froze his accounts," Atty. Margarette Guzman, CTA First Division Clerk of Court. told ABS-CBNnews.com.

The CTA made the statement after Pacquiao confirmed that there was a freeze order on his bank accounts and properties. Pacquiao even said he had to borrow money for the financial aid he promised for the typhoon survivors in the Visayas.

Guzman said Pacquiao has filed a civil case with the court last August questioning the assessment issued against him and his wife for P2.2 billion.

"Sometime October 18, the petitioners, congressman Pacquiao and Jinky Pacquiao filed urgent motion to lift warrants of restraint and levy and garnishment and for the issuance of an order to suspend the collection of tax with prayer for issuance of TRO. That is the one being heard by the court currently. No ruling as of yet has been rendered by the court to that effect. Whether or not the court will grant the motion or deny the motion," she told ANC.

However, the CTA's First Division has not yet issued its ruling on Pacquiao's motion, Guzman said.

Pacquiao's tax case stemmed from the reported failure of his accountant to report in his income tax returns the millions of dollars-worth of taxes he paid in the US in relation to his fight purses from 2008 to 2009.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Jeane Napoles charged with tax evasion

First, her parents Janet and Jimmy Napoles; now, it's the turn of Jeane Napoles to be charged with tax evasion before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) charged the younger Napoles with violations of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) for an alleged total tax liability of P32.06 million, inclusive of surcharges and interests, for taxable years 2011 and 2012.

BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said Napoles was able to acquire a condominium unit at the Ritz Carlton in Los Angeles, California worth P54.73 million; and has a share, equivalent to P1.49 million, in a Bayambang, Pangasinan property purchased in 2012.

"She, however, did not file any income tax return (ITR) in 2011 and 2012; nor were there any records of returns filed that will prove that gifts, bequests or devices were given to her.

"There was no donor's tax or estate tax paid either," Henares said.

The BIR used the Expenditure Method of Investigation, where Napoles' unreported income was established by comparing the amount of money she spent to purchase the properties and her unreported income.

“The presumption is to be able to buy something worth P54.73 million, she would have earned an income net of taxes of P54.73 million. This is a conservative estimate because hindi pa namin binibilang yung gastos mo para mabuhay ka, kung nagpapa-party ka gabi gabi,” she said.

Henares said Napoles acquired a tax identification number (TIN) with the BIR in 2008, but has not filed any ITR eversince.

The charges against Jeane Napoles is the 191st filed by the bureau under its Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) program under the Aquino administration.

Ritzy lifestyle

Janet Lim Napoles, who has been implicated in the P10-billion pork barrel and Malampaya fund scandal, earlier confirmed that she bought the Ritz Carlton unit in Los Angeles for her daughter as a reward for doing good in school.

She also admitted giving her daughter a Porsche Cayenne and a Porsche Boxster.

The younger Napoles earlier came under fire after her Instagram photos showed expensive cars she received from her parents during her birthday, debut and graduation from college.

The photos also show expensive watches, jewelry, clothing, and shoes.

The BIR has also filed tax evasion charges against Janet Lim Napoles and her husband.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Businessman in hot water for tax evasion

MANILA, Philippines - A Novaliches-based businessman is in hot water for tax evasion.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue on Thursday filed a criminal complaint with the Department of Justice against businessman Lamberto Obogne for tax evasion from 2009 to 2012.

Obogne is the owner of Bentoy Electrical Rewinding Shop and Bertmond Enterprises, with registered address at No. 1151 Quirino Hi-way, Kaligayahan, Novaliches, Caloocan City.

A BIR investigation found that Obogne did not declare the proper sales in his tax returns from 2009 to 2012. The BIR sent letters to various companies that engaged his services, which revealed that Obogne earned P40.47 million from 2009 to 2012. However, in his tax return, he only declared P9.96 million in sales.

Under Section 248(B) of the Tax Code, an underdeclaration of taxable sales, receipts or income by more than 30% of that declared per return constitutes a prima facie case of fraud tantamount to tax evasion.

The BIR said Obogne failed to pay the correct amount of taxes amounting to P18.4 million, inclusive of surcharges and interests.

This is the 188th case filed under the BIR's Run After Tax Evaders program.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

BIR: Many reported Napoles properties not in their name

MANILA, Philippines - "Many" of the properties and assets of detained businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles and her family reported in the media turned out to be not under their names, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares said on Thursday.

However, the BIR is still pursuing its investigation into these properties and assets.

Henares said that apart from the bureau's primary concern which is to determine if there was any evasion of payment of taxes on these properties, the possibility that dummies may have been used by the Napoleses cannot be ruled out.

"Marami [properties] hindi nag-match. We're trying to find out sino ba mga may-ari nito, kung kaya ba ng income nila, kung nagbayad ba sila ng taxes... I'm not saying magnanakaw siya (Napoles), pero kung gagawa ako ng isang [illegal] bagay, siyempre I will hide my tracks. Maaring natago niya pero sa kayabangan nila, kaya lumalabas," Henares said.

Properties named after Napoles' minor and legal age children are also part of the BIR probe, she said.

"If not of age, [properties] must be a donation. So nagbayad ba ng donor's tax? If of age, then it must be income. Kaya ba ng income o may hindi naireport?" Henares said.

Properties allegedly inherited by Napoles, the alleged multi-billion peso pork barrel scam architect, will also be checked for proper payment of inheritance taxes, as well as the family's properties abroad.

In short, there will be a cross-matching of these assets and properties, payment of taxes, and declared income, Henares clarified.

Letters of Authority have been sent out to the Napoleses in connection with the BIR's probe.

The BIR is also coordinating with other government agencies in zeroing in on all the family's assets.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Before flaunting your Ferrari or Birkin on Facebook, read this

MANILA - Social media is changing the way the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) gets tips on alleged tax evaders as citizens now tap Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to send anonymous reports.

"Even without social media before, there will be people who write to us that say, for example, I have a neighbor who has 10 cars which are high-end... but he doesn't seem to be paying taxes. That has been happening in the past," BIR Commissioner Kim Henares told ANC's Headstart on Wednesday.

"But the thing now is it's more instant... Even with people they don't really know, when they see it on Facebook, they e-mail it to us... So social media [has become] another platform for lifestyle checking," she continued.

Henares said there is nothing wrong in posting a picture of your million-peso bag, your new Ferrari car, or of your recent trip to Europe. But she stressed Filipinos should be responsible in paying the right taxes for the items they are acquiring.

"There's nothing wrong to post pictures... It's not only our attention [you're attracting] but other people's attention, too. And they text us or call us saying, there's this person who flaunts this or that," Henares said.

The BIR has taken on an aggressive campaign against tax evaders in its bid to meet its collection targets and shore up revenues for the government.

Henares explained that the tax bureau does not differentiate between people--may they be doctors, lawyers, businessmen, or actors--found to have tax liability before the government.

"First, there has to be something that triggers our attention, then we investigate. Then based on the investigation and the data we receive and gather, that's when we decide whether to file a tax evasion case or just a deficiency," Henares said.

The trigger, she said, can easily be an expose on a person's wealth amassed on suspicious grounds, or when the BIR's data gathered through its "advanced" IT system show irregularities on someone's income tax filing.

In recent weeks, Filipinos on social media have expressed disappointment as social media accounts of the daughter of Janet Lim Napoles, the alleged brains behind the P10-billion pork barrel scam, showed photos of her Porsche car, luxury bags, and apparent shopping sprees abroad.

Henares recounted that the ongoing lifestyle on Napoles was not triggered by her daughter's photos on social media but by the earlier expose on the alleged pork barrel scam days earlier.

"For Janet Lim Napoles, the trigger was the expose. That triggered the need to investigate... But after that, there were a lot of other things that came out and that will necessitate us to look into it also," she said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Tax evasion raps filed vs Donna Cruz's husband

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Thursday filed a criminal complaint against Cebu-based ophthalmologist Dr. Potenciano Sto. Domingo Larrazabal, the husband of actress Donna Cruz, for tax evasion.  

In a statement, the BIR said Larrazabal failed to supply the BIR with correct and accurate information in his income tax returns for 3 years, 2009-2011.

The BIR received third party information that Larrazabal got a total of P29.14 million in professional fees from PhilHealth from 2009 to 2011. However, he only declared P4.72 million income during the 3-year period.

The BIR said Larrazabal should have registered as a value added tax payer and filed the required quarterly VAT returns, since his earnings were above the threshold required to register as a VAT taxpayer.

"Larrazabal underdeclared his income, did not pay the correct income tax on it and failed to pay the VAT and file his VAT returns," the BIR said.

The BIR said Larrazabal's deficiency taxes for the three-year period stood at P21.14 million.

The government has been stepping up its efforts to run after tax evaders, filing cases against high-profile figures such as actress Solenn Heussaff and PBA players Jimmy Alapag and Jared Dillinger. Although none of which have led to a conviction, BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said the filing of cases against tax evaders are already having an effect on Filipinos.

The BIR has declared "war" on professionals and self-employed persons who don't pay the right taxes.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Kris Aquino is top taxpayer of 2011; PH billionaires not in top 10

MANILA, Philippines - Celebrity Kris Aquino is the number one taxpayer in the country, beating out the country's billionaires, according to data from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Aquino, the youngest sister of President Benigno Aquino, paid nearly P50 million in income taxes in 2011.

The BIR on Monday released its list of Top 500 individual taxpayers for 2011. The list includes familiar names from business and entertainment, as well as not-so-familiar names. (For the full list, click here)

Prominent businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan ranked fourth with P25.99 million. Executives from Ayala companies were also top taxpayers, such as Bank of the Philippine Islands president Aurelio Montinola III (P24.47 million) and Manila Water president Gerardo Ablaza (P22.64 million).

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario ranked 118th with P7.1 million in income tax payment in 2011.

Where are the billionaires?

Interestingly, the country's billionaires were not in the Top 10.

Mall tycoon Henry Sy, Sr., who was named the richest man in the Philippines by Forbes magazine, ranked 15th on the BIR list with P16.58 million income tax. His son Hans Sy ranked 22nd with P13.4 million income tax, while daughter Teresita Sy ranked 83rd, paying P8.3 million in income tax in 2011.

Tycoon Lucio Tan, the second richest in the Philippines according to Forbes, only ranked 35th in BIR's list, paying P10.78 million in income tax.

Tan paid less than his lawyer Estelito Mendoza, who ranked 14th with tax payment of P 17.63 million.

David Consunji and family, whose net worth was estimated by Forbes at $2.8 billion, ranked 176th, paying P5.9 million in 2011.

However, other tycoons such as Enrique Razon, Jr. ($4.9 billion), Andrew Tan ($3.95 billion), George Ty and family ($2.6 billion), Lucio and Susan Co ($2 billion), Robert Coyiuto, Jr. ($1.6 billion),Tony Tan Caktiong and family ($1.4 billion), Andrew Gotianun and family ($1.2 billion), and Roberto Ongpin ($1.2 billion) were nowhere on the BIR's list.

Celebrities on the list

Aside from Aquino, several celebrities also made the BIR's list of top individual taxpayers. TV host and actor Marvic "Vic" Sotto paid P14.72 million in taxes, ranking 19th. Actor Derek Ramsey ranked 120th, paying P7 million in taxes.

Willie Revillame ranked 181th (P5.8 million), while Ogie Alcasid ranked 184th (P5.8 million). Sharon Cuneta ranked 191st, paying P5.74 million in taxes in 2011.

John Lloyd Cruz ranked 205th, paying P5.4 million in income tax.

Boxing champ Manny Pacquiao ranked 158th, paying only P6.1 million in income tax in 2011.

Top corporate taxpayers

Smart Communications topped the BIR's list of top non-individual taxpayers in 2011, with P10.23 billion in income tax. Manila Electric Company (Meralco) ranked second with P8.3 billion in taxes, followed by Shell Philippines (P6.36 billion), Chevron Malampaya (P6.3 billion) and Nestle Philippines (P4.8 billion).

San Miguel Brewery ranked 6th (P4.77 billion), followed by Globe Telecom (P4.52 billion), tobacco giant PMFTC (P3.7 billion), Petron Corp. (P2.62 billion) and Philex Mining (P1.87 billion).

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Taxpayers beat deadline for filing ITR

MANILA, Philippines - Hundreds of taxpayers lined up at the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Quezon City, beating the deadline for filing income tax returns on Monday.

ABS-CBN talked to some taxpayers, who called on the government to do more projects so that people will be more inspired to pay the correct taxes.

BIR Commissioner Kim Henares says income earners have 2 responsibilities - to pay the correct taxes and monitor and check where the taxes go.

According to Henares, it is up to the public to make sure that taxes go to its intended purpose but it cannot be used as a reason not to pay the correct taxes.

The BIR is tasked to collect P1.253-trillion this year to fund various government projects.

Henares believes the weekly filing of tax evasion charges against those who do not pay the correct taxes is improving tax collection efforts. According to Henares, if before only 10 out of 100 pay correct taxes, now 20 are paying correctly for fear of being charged in court.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Vice Ganda offers to help Ryan Bang on tax woes

MANILA, Philippines -- Comedian Vice Ganda expressed support to fellow "It's Showtime" host Ryan Bang, who is now facing tax evasion raps.

"Ryan always remember that you are special to me and I love you more than my boyfriend. Thanks for loving me like your real nanay. I will always be there for you. You may lose everything but you will never lose me and stop being jealous because I will never trade you for any guy. I love you baby. P.S. I will help you pay your utang to BIR because I love you. Love, Nanay Vice," Vice Ganda told Bang via the morning show "KrisTV."

Last month, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed tax evasion charges against Bang.

In a statement, the BIR said Bang did not file any income or percentage tax returns for 2010 and 2011, even though he received income from several companies, including ABS-CBN Corp., Summit Publishing and Studio 23.

Bang has vowed to resolve the issue with the BIR.

On Wednesday, the Korean host-comedian thanked Vice Ganda for his offfer.

"Siyempre Nanay Vice, I love you so much, alam na alam mo 'yon. Siyempre maraming salamat. Kahit anong problema dumarating sa akin, tumutulong ka sa akin. I love you so much alam mo yan," Bang said.

"KrisTV" host Kris Aquino also advised Bang to hire a good accountant to avoid any tax issues in the future.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

No respite for Corona, as BIR pursues possible tax complaint

MANILA - The Bureau of Internal Revenue on Friday said it would look into whether former Chief Justice Renato correctly paid taxes on his income and asset transactions.

In a briefing, BIR Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares said the agency’s investigation began February, adding that the bureau is gathering available data on the assets, especially the bank accounts, of the Coronas.

Jacinto-Henares said the BIR cannot divulge the nature or the details of the data obtained.

"First, it is a liability case. Then, it's a confidential matter. But if it warrants a criminal case, then the public will know we will file a case," the BIR chief told reporters.

Under the law, if a tax deficiency is less than 33 percent of the total amount, then it would just be a civil case. Beyond that threshold, the BIR has a prima facie evidence of tax evasion.

Jacinto-Henares said one of the things the agency is looking at is how the principal amount in Corona's bank accounts were created since the interest income from these deposits were already subjected to capital gains tax. She said the bureau has to determine if these came from Corona's income.

"Nabayaran ba yung tax kung yung principal na yan nanggaling sa income? Kung yung income na yan na-report at nabayaran ang tax?" Jacinto-Henares said.

"Kung hindi nya na-report ibig sabihin may kulang. Hindi ka naman magkakapera kung hindi ka nagtrabaho, hindi ka kumita, hindi binigay sa yo o hindi mo minana. Lahat yan may buwis," she said.

The BIR chief said investigating the ousted chief justice is not a political exercise since the agency is just fulfilling its mandate of collecting the right taxes. It would not matter if the person under investigation is rich or holds a high position in government, she said.

"It is not in my discretion to forgive anyone. And you don't want to have your Internal Revenue Commissioner that discretion. Paano naman mangyayari sa fiscal ng gobyerno kung kunyari nag-sorry siya tapos you forgive them. Eh papaano yung ibang taong pupunta sa amin sabihin sa amin sorry tapos di namin pagbibigyan. Mahirap naman po yun. Kailangan pantay-pantay naman," she said.

source: interaksyon.com