BIR catches Pangasinan shop printing fake receipts

An owner of a printing press in Dagupan City in Pangasinan faces charges from the Bureau of Internal Revenue, after it was found to be allegedly producing "fake" receipts.

The BIR found the invoice numbers in the establishment's receipts were the same as those of a restaurant in the city, GMA Dagupan reported Wednesday.

"It means that if you print two sets of invoices, you are under-declaring your income or sales," said BIR Ilocos regional director Arnel Guballa.

Also, the BIR is now studying whether to file charges as well against the restaurant.

Guballa said the restaurant may have a possible separate liability for tax evasion.

"Separate yung liability ng establishment. Ito yung printer lang, pero yung establishment separate din. So we are (studying) a tax evasion case doon sa establishment," he said.

The BIR is also checking other business establishments in the region that may have similar offenses.

Assistant regional director Eduardo Pagulayan said the penalty may include imprisonment of six months to two years, and the closure of the establishment.

The owners of the printing press and restaurant declined to comment for now.  — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News