New BIR exec to take over poorly-performing tax dept.

Joel L. Tan-Torres has some serious work cut out for him. As the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) senior deputy commissioner – a new position recently created by presidential fiat – the accounting topnotcher is tasked to improve performance of the BIR’s large taxpayers service (LTS). His task is nothing to sneeze at. After all, the LTS has yet to meet its collection targets ever since it was established nine years ago. But Tan-Torres, a former partner of accounting giant SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV), remains unfazed. To fulfill his mandate, Tan-Torres has enumerated a number of goals for himself and for the agency. Among these include implementing an “effective" tax practitioner accreditation program for lawyers, accountant, and tax agents since these professionals “play crucial roles," he told GMANews.TV. “They can make or unmake the BIR program. The direction is towards partnership," he said. The BIR, which collects three-fourths of government’s revenues, “is engrossed with its day-to-day capabilities," he said. “That weakness can be addressed hopefully by this office." Besides helping improve the performance of the agency’s people, processes, and taxpayer interaction, Tan-Torres will also assist in building the BIR’s capacity and image enhancement. “I can implement things without too much learning on the job," he said, adding that he will be bringing in over 30 years of experience in tax work. While he will help the BIR Commissioner run the agency, Tan-Torres will also assist in the strategic and tactical aspects of tax administration, including enhancing taxpayer service and information dissemination. His office will also undertake regular assessments of how the public perceives the BIR. Tan-Torres will also “develop the agency’s long-term capabilities," he said, adding that he also plans to create a tax academy to mold and train future experts. Besides placing first on the certified public accountant (CPA) board exams in 1979, Tan-Torres also spent 16 years in the BIR assistant commissioner for management and planning. He also was chief of international tax affairs division, a member of Philippine tax treaty negotiating panel, a technical assistant to various deputy commissioners, and executive assistant to the commissioner. Tan-Torres has a Masters degree in business administration at the University of the Philippines where he also took up his bachelor degree in administration and accountancy. - with Ruby Anne M. Rubio, GMANews.TV