BIR-Cordillera sets 2018 collection target

BAGUIO CITY —The Bureau of Internal Revenue-Cordillera is eyeing an R8.2-billion revenue collection this year. BIR Acting Regional Director Douglas Rufino, during the kick-off of the 2018 tax campaign said that BIRCordillera collected 97 percent of its collection goal in 2017, which he said is proof of aggressive collection efficiency efforts.

Rufino led employees of the BIR during the kick-off ceremony of the tax/revenue collection campaign and reminded the public of the April 15 deadline.

‘Salamat Sa’yo’ The event also launched the “Salamat Sa’yo” logo of the agency.

Rufino said the “Salamat Sa’yo” logo is aimed at thanking not just the big and small taxpayers who regularly pay taxes.

“May kasabihan nga, ang isang milyon ay hindi mabubuo, kung walang piso,kaya ang logo na ito ay para sa lahat ng ating taxpayers na tumatalima sa mga programa sa ating administrasyon (As the saying goes, one million cannot be collected without a single peso, that is why this logo is for everyone supporting the initiatives and programs of the government),” said Rufino.

Tax info driven Rufino said the BIR-Cordillera will strive to reach its target by holding seminars and information and dissemination activities, including those pertaining to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN Law.

Through the TRAIN Law, BIRCordillera was able to collect 30 percent in January, higher than the previous month’s collection.

Among the programs lined up for the coming days until April 15 are seminars for the small scale miners, especially in the province of Abra.

Gold tax It was observed that in the past five years, there was a noticeable decrease in tax collection from the sector.

He added that under the new administration, the five percent tax paid by gold sellers to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas had been reduced to one percent, regardless of the quantity of gold sold.

“I am happy to announce that Bangko Sentral was able to collect R1.5 million from gold sellers after they were encouraged to sell to the Central Bank with the lowered tax,” Rufino said.

He added that the govenrment’s effort to lower the taxes for the gold sellers is proof of the government’s concern for the economy, for gold to be sold to the government rather than to unscrupulous buyers who opt to bring the minerals overseas.