THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Negros Island Region has collected income taxes of about P902 million from April 1 to 20 this year.
The amount this year is 24 percent higher than BIR's collection of P727 million in the same period last year.
BIR Revenue Region 12 Director Eduardo Pagulayan Jr. told VoxPop Bacolod on Monday that the income tax collection increase of almost P175 million is mainly attributed to the vibrant business atmosphere in the region.
BIR Region 12 covers revenue district offices in Bacolod City, Binalbagan town and Victorias City in Negros Occidental, Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental, and Siquijor Province.
“When business atmosphere is vibrant, income is higher, resulting also to bigger taxes,” Pagulayan said, adding that the BIR is still collating data to determine those who failed to file their income tax returns (ITRs) on or before the scheduled deadline.
The BIR has initially set the deadline for ITR filing on April 15, which falls on a Black Saturday, thus it was moved to April 17.
Late filers will automatically face corresponding penalties and charges, like 25 percent surcharge plus 20 percent per annum interest.
Non-filing and payment outside the deadline, on the other hand, is tantamount to criminal prosecution.
The BIR reiterated that tax payers who did not file within the deadline are already liable for non-filing and payment.
If they file and pay after the deadline, they are still liable for late filing and payment, it added.
Moreover, Pagulayan said the collected ITR payments will form part of the agency’s target collection of P12.07 billion taxes in the region this year.
The figure is 16 percent higher than last year’s collection of P10.4 billion.
“We continue to bring all stakeholders to the string of taxation. We are urging them to regularly pay their taxes that are being used for various government services and projects,” Pagulayan said, adding that positive tax collection reflects strong local economy.
