Bureau of Internal Revenue Region 12 Director Perfecto Aranas said he is confident that Revenue District-79 in Dumaguete can attain its tax goal collection of P5.258-billion despite the twin calamities that hit Negros Oriental.

Arnas admitted that, while the disasters will impact on tax collection of the BIR, he believes that RDO-79 can hit the target since it is a consistent top performer among the revenue districts under BIR Region 12.

This year’s assigned goal for the whole district comprising of four revenue offices increased by P138 million, or 2.78 percent, over last year’s target.

Aranas said this is a tall order and, “We have to work overtime to achieve this target.”

But he stressed it is now easier to detect under-declared income and taxes because taxpayers are already required to submit a summary listing of sales to address the non-issuance of receipts and invoices, and that tax practitioners, including bookkeepers, accountants and the like, have to be accredited by the BIR.

RDOs are being encouraged to improve and saturate the information and education campaign to improve the awareness of the taxpayers, he added.

Aranas led yesterday’s kickoff of the “I love Philippines, I Pay Taxes” tax campaign at Robinsons Place. The campaign reminds taxpayers of their obligation to pay correct dues on time. The deadline for the filing of income tax is April 16, since the 15th falls on a Sunday, Aranas said.

Ed Du, head of the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry, admitted that the business sector in the province has been affected by the floodings and the earthquake.

But as resilient people, Negrenses have started to recover, he added as he invited entrepreneurs to pour in more investments into Negros Oriental.*MA/JG

back to top