BIR launches certi cation for so ware providers

The Bureau of Internal Revenue, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), recently launched a system which will certify providers of electronic tax filing and payment softwares.

BIR developed the electronic tax software providers certification (eTSPCert) system as part of the agency’s efforts to fulfill its goal of providing taxpayers a seamless end-to-end electronic tax preparation, filing, and payment experience.

The eTSPCert system is an online certification system for tax software providers (TSPs) or individuals and organizations that offer tax services (filing or filing with payment) through third party solutions and tax preparation softwares.

“With a system for certifying tax preparation and payment solutions, taxpayers can be confident that when working with authorized tax preparers, their tax returns and payments will be received, processed, and recorded by the BIR,” the agency said.

BIR Information Systems Group deputy commissioner Lanee David said one of the key features of the system is the absence of contact between applicants and the BIR personnel who will evaluate the software submitted for certification.

She said the launch of the eTSPCert is expected to increase the number of legitimate tax filing and payment channels, which in turn will benefit more businesses, increase taxpayers compliance and improve tax filing and payment efficiency.

The launch of the system is part of the USAID’s E-PESO project, which seeks to increase electronic payment usage and access to new financial products in the Philippines.

Under the project, the USAID provides technical assistance to government agencies to expand the use of e-payments in government-toperson and person-to government transactions.

From January to October this year, the BIR collected P1.61 trillion in tax revenues or 12 percent higher than the P1.44 trillion recorded the same period last year.

This is equivalent to about 79 percent of the agency’s P2.04 trillion target for the whole year.