BIR files tax evasion complaints vs. 23 firms, officers over ghost receipts

The Bureau of Internal Revenue on Thursday filed 23 complaints for tax evasion against numerous corporations and corporate officers involved in the use of ghost receipts to reduce tax liability, resulting in tax deficiencies amounting to P1.4 billion.

According to the bureau, they filed complaints against 23 corporations, 56 corporate officers, and 17 certified public accountants for multiple violations of tax evasion, failure to supply correct and accurate information, perjury and false reporting.

“Wala namang operations ‘yung mga korporasyon na ito kung hindi magbenta lamang ng resibo. Walang serbisyong ino-offer, walang produktong binebenta kung hindi ‘yung resibo mismo talaga,” BIR Commissioner Romeo “Jun” Lumagui Jr. said. 

(These corporations have no operations other than selling receipts. They offer no services, they sell no products other than the receipts themselves.)

The corporations are involved in construction, manufacturing, food, electronics, entertainment, marketing, retail, and constructions.

Authorities refused to name the corporations involved while the investigation is ongoing.

“Maybe we can provide the names of these companies after we have made the initial evaluation so that they are now considered as respondents ready for preliminary investigation,” Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres said. 

Lumagui said that if found guilty, these individuals must pay their tax liabilities. He said they may also face imprisonment. 

Meanwhile, the commissioner said they are also investigating content creators and online sellers over their taxes. 

“Nagugulat sila kasi minsan sasabihin nila wala silang kinikita pero sa totoo lang nakukuha namin ang information na ‘yan. At nakukuha namin lahat 'yan through third-party information. Nalalaman namin ‘kung magkano ang kinikita nila,” Lumagui said.

(They’re surprised because sometimes they claim they’re not earning anything, but in truth, we get that information. And we get all of that through third-party information. We find out how much they’re actually earning.)

“Tine-check din namin ‘yan kung papaano nireport ‘yung income sa amin at magkano ‘yung tax na binayaran. Kadalasan doon sa mga content creators, wala man lang revenues na nire-report,” he added.  

(We also check how the income was reported to us and how much tax was paid. Often, among those content creators, there aren’t even any revenues being reported.)

Lumagui also reiterated that the BIR will not stop going after tax evaders.—AOL, GMA Integrated News