IT governance in govt offices: Reality or not?

electronic documentary stamp tax metering machine.

After the passage of the eCommerce Act, the bureau lined up eCommerce programs and projects, which continuously innovated its internal business processes while providing interactive web applications in its service to taxpayers. The pro-active IT leadership within then was a major factor in the organizational maturity level of the BIR in using IT.

In 2001, a technology- based system that promotes the paperless filing of tax returns and payment of taxes was adopted through the electronic filing and payment system. From 2002 to 2005, the BIR realized the significant benefits of rolling out various e- services, which include electronic broadcasting, web- based TIN application and processing, electronic raffle of invoices/ receipts, reconciliation of listings for enforcement, the BIR Contact Center in the national office and eLounges in the regional offices, e- payment gateways, e- substituted filing of tax returns and electronic submission of sales reports.

In 2005, the BIR laid down a strategic plan called “Blueprint for Development Towards 2010” to serve as its road map for attaining its goal. It stated the direction to take and is focused on using and improving current technology in reaching out to the taxpaying public, to encourage and inspire taxpayers to be compliant in their tax obligations, as well as play active roles in promoting compliance, with convenience as its primary sales pitch. Hence, the BIR eventually attained the status of the second highest tax perfor

The ISSP for 2006 to 2010 realized the implementation of eComplaint system, new payment gateways, and business intelligence. Through the local government unit (LGU) revenue assurance system, which aims to uncover fraud and non-payment of taxes, information sharing between the BIR and the LGUs

audit capabilities, the use of computerassisted audit tools and techniques was also introduced.

In 2011, BIR crafted its highlevel strategic plan for 2011 to 2016 with the end in view of addressing improvements in revenue collections, enhancing taxpayer satisfaction, and significantly alter business processes and systems. Correspondingly, the ISSP for 2011 to 2016 produced the realization of electronic tax information system, geographic information system for tax mapping and zonal valuation purposes, document imaging system, risk- based audit program, benchmarking and eProfiling project, computerassisted audit tools and techniques project, electronic taxpayer account management program, automated reconciliation of collection data, performance management system, and human resource information system. The effectiveness of the BIR’s strategic plan was highlighted by the Bureau of Treasury’s report in 2013 stating that the BIR yielded a very productive output in just two years.