BIR end-November 2023 collection up 8.6% to P2.34T

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has collected P2.34 trillion as of end-November 2023, exceeding its previous collection of P2.16 trillion by 8.6% in the same period of 2022.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Department of Finance (DOF), the parent agency of the BIR, said the January to November collection performance of the taxman could be attributed to its ramped up tax compliance and tax enforcement drives last year.

The improved collection performance was the result of intensified programs and initiatives to encourage taxpayer compliance, as well as the continuous implementation of tax enforcement activities, according to the DOF.

“The Bureau’s strict nationwide enforcement operations on the illicit trade of cigarettes, vape, and other excisable articles as well as sweetened beverages, perfumes, and toilet water also led to increased tax collections,” it said.

The DOF said that through the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) Program, the BIR filed a total of 221 cases before the Department of Justice (DOJ) with estimated tax liabilities of P13.24 billion from January to November 2023.

During the same period, 38 cases with an estimated tax liability of P5.06 billion were filed with the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA).

From January to November 2023, the DOF said the taxman also collected P410.94 million and issued 186 closure orders for businesses found to violate essential value-added tax (VAT) requirements through its Oplan Kandado Program.

Likewise, under its Run After Fake Transactions (RAFT) Program, the BIR was able to file cases versus four ghost corporations with estimated tax liabilities of P25.5 billion and three corporate buyers and their officers, accounting firms, and certified public accountants (CPAs) with total estimated tax liabilities of P17.9 billion.

The DOF added that 15 criminal cases against buyers and sellers of ghost receipts were filed and legal proceedings against a total of 69 respondents at the DOJ have commenced, covering estimated tax liabilities totaling P1.8 billion.

Moreover, taxpayers who filed their taxes electronically versus manually comprised 69% of total filers as of November 2023, reflecting a breakthrough in the BIR's continuous efforts to make tax compliance more convenient and accessible for all, according to the Finance Department.

The BIR has also ramped up its Digital Transformation (DX) Program. Some projects under the DX Program are the Online Registration and Update System (ORUS), Project 230X, Online Tax Clearance, Electronic Invoicing/ Receipting and Sales Reporting System (EIS), Enhancement of One-Time Transaction (ONETT) System, Optimized Chatbot Revie, Enhanced Digital Queueing System, and E-Appointment services.

These projects are intended to provide taxpayers with modern, convenient, and accessible tools, as well as improve the Bureau’s internal processes to ensure efficient public service delivery, the DOF said.

“I commend the BIR for consistently delivering higher revenues for the country, which are much-needed to support the Marcos, Jr. administration’s priority programs and projects. We have much to accomplish in 2024. Thus, I urge the agency to not just meet, but exceed its collection targets this year and beyond,” said Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno.—AOL, GMA Integrated News