BIR files P227-M tax evasion complaint against boutique

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) alleged in a complaint filed on Thursday before the Department of Justice that nearly P227 million in taxes, surcharges and interest is owed by the operator of the Genevieve Gozum boutiques.   BIR Deputy Commissioner Estela Sales said Globe Mallow International Enterprises Corp. (GMIEC), which runs the Gozum boutiques, allegedly inflated their expenses and owes government P166.3 million in income taxes.   She also said the firm has value-added tax (VAT) liability of P60.69 million.   Sales alleged that GMIEC falsely claimed VAT input when it recorded purchases of P223.42 million from another firm, Fine & Fancy Fabrics Center.   Fine & Fancy denied it had done the transactions with GMIEC, according to the bureau.   Using its VAT tracking system, the BIR said it was able to identify the discrepancy between the claim of the boutique operator and its supposed supplier.    Specifically named in the tax evasion complaint for failure to report accurate and correct information on transactions are GMIEC executives Genoveva M. Gozum and Gene M. Gozum. — ELR/VS, GMA News