BIR trains eyes on accident-prone bus firms

MANILA, Philippines - A number of bus operators in Metro Manila were found to have failed to file income tax returns or get tax identification numbers (TINs).

Among those listed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) were bus firms involved in the most number of road accidents.

In the latest TaxWatch campaign, the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Bureau of Internal revenue (BIR) said “Metro Manila’s most dangerous bus operators” neither filed their income tax returns nor did they have TINs.

TaxWatch showed the 2012 gross receipts and income taxes paid by these bus companies. The government aims to look into the tax payment of bus companies.

Of these bus companies, Nova AutoTransport has the lowest declared income tax for 2012, having paid only P71,842 out of the reported P34.83 million in gross receipts.

Admiral Transport registered P27.77 million in gross receipts and remitted P109,223 to the BIR.

JAM Liner posted the  biggest gross receipts of P552.09 million, having paid P4.2 million in income tax.

The BIR said Philippine Corinthian Liner and JELL Transport Inc. did not pay any income tax in 2012.

Gasat Express, Joysell Express and A. Catating Transit failed to file their ITRs.

EM Transit Service and AM Liner did not have any TIN.

The BIR said: “Buses have not only been congesting our roads but have also been appearing heavily in the news.”  

As of end-2012, 8,077 bus franchises were registered nationwide, with a total of 26,483 units. 

Metro Manila has 391 franchises with a combined fleet of 5,342 units.

LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez said the violations of bus companies in tax payments could have an impact on the status of their franchises. 

Submission of their audited financial statement and annual income tax returns are requirements for the renewal or extension of their franchises, he added.

These two requirements are listed on the LTFRB’s Revised Citizens’ Charter, Ginez said. – With Reinir Padua