Sotto: DOF chief working on extension of deadline for filing of ITR

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III is considering extending the deadline for filing of income tax returns with the Bureau of Internal Revenue amid the COVID-19 threat, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said on Wednesday.

"Just got off the phone with DOF Sec Sonny Dominguez, I requested him to extend the deadline of the filing of taxes. He said he will act on it asap!" Sotto said in a message.

"He said he is calling a meeting right away to formulate the extension," he added.

The original deadline for the filing of taxes is on April 15.

In a separate interview on Dobol B sa News TV, Sotto said not all citizens have access to the online platforms of the BIR.

"Hindi lahat ng tao may internet eh. Hindi lahat puwedeng mag-internet, WiFi, lalo na 'yung mga taga-probinsya," he said.

Dominguez is mulling if a two-week extension is possible, according to Sotto.

"Sabi niya at least kahit two weeks muna. Sabi ko 'Sige kahit two weeks muna hanggang end of April,' eh di pagkatapos noon sabi ko you play it by ear," he said.

Citing Section 53 of the National Internal Revenue Code, Senators Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go and Francis Tolentino also urged the Department of Finance and the BIR to extend the deadline.

"Bigyan po natin ng palugit ang ating mga kababayang apektado ngayon. Maraming halos wala nang kita o kabuhayan ng isang buwan, hindi alam paano papakainin ang pamilya, hindi alam hanggang kailan magtatagal ang krisis. Tapos dadagdagan pa natin ang iniisip at aasikasuhin nila dahil sa tax requirements," Go said as he pushed for a one-month extension.

"Let’s give the people time to prioritize their safety and the welfare of their families first, provided that after we overcome this crisis, we trust that they will fulfill their tax obligations,” he added.

Tolentino recently sent a letter to BIR Commissioner Caesar Dulay and implored him to extend the deadline to May 15 for registered taxpayers in Metro Manila and other affected areas.

"An extension would be a sigh of relief that could spell a huge difference to struggling individuals and businesses," he said.

The lawmaker, nevertheless, lauded the BIR's promotion of its home-based tax filing system and electronic payment system.

The whole of Luzon was placed under enhanced community quarantine starting Tuesday in a bid to prevent the further spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Public transportation has been suspended and several establishments were ordered to be temporarily closed.

The public has been advised to stay at home as much as possible. —KG/RSJ, GMA News