BIR exceeds collection target; Cebuano taxpayers commended

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Internal Revenue (Revenue Region 13) has acknowledged the support of Cebuano taxpayers after it posted a 53.90 percent increase in its target tax collection for the first quarter of 2010.

BIR-13 director Jose Tan said yesterday in a forum held at the Philippine Information Agency that as of April 6, their collection has reached P986.6 million, which is P345.5 million higher than their target collection of P641 million.

Tan said that based on the collection report of BIR-13, the tax collection in the first quarter last year was P640.6 million while this year’s collection reached up to P986.6 million which bared a 54.01 percent increase.

He disclosed that there are five Revenue District Offices under the BIR-13 and four of these offices are in Cebu while one is in Bohol. These five offices garnered a cumulative partial collection of P2.4 billion which is now 29.82 percent higher than their target collection. The target collection is P1.9 billion based on the cumulative partial collection report.

“The people are filing early and paying earlier than the deadline,” Tan said, adding that the people in the region have been very honest when it comes to paying taxes.

BIR-13 assistant director Conrad Lee advised the Cebuano taxpayers to continue the good habit of paying taxes on time. “Taxpayer sa Cebu, maayo gyud sila, highly cooperative,” he said.

Cebu City revenue district officer Maria Socorro Lozano said that they attribute the good performance for the month of March to the good taxpayers. Though she did not discuss the exact figure, Lozano said that the major contribution is from the power industry. “(The) power industry has given substantial (contribution),” she said.

Just before the forum ended, Tan said that BIR-13 acknowledges the support of the Cebuano taxpayers. “Let’s help our country by paying taxes. Let’s be helpful, cooperative…” he advised.

Moreover, the filing of income tax returns will be due on April 15. —    (FREEMAN NEWS)