BIR resumes all-out campaign vs tax cheats
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has resumed its all out campaign against tax evaders as it filed a complaint against an authorized agent of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) in Batangas.
In a criminal complaint filed with the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday, the BIR sued Batangas Enhanced Technology Systems Inc. which is engaged in Small Town Lottery ( STL) business through the selling and distribution of lottery tickets and other similar games of chance.
Also charged were Benedicto Bulatao who served as company president from 2009 to 2013, Rolando Montecillo who served as president in 2014 and 2015 as well as company treasurer Jessie Cantos.
The respondents were charged for Willful Attempt to Evade or Defeat Tax, Deliberate Failure to Supply Correct and Accurate Information in its Income Tax Return (ITR), Willful Failure to File Value Added Tax (VAT) Returns, Failure to Register as VAT taxpayer, and Failure to Pay Documentary Stamp Tax (DST) for taxable years 2007 to 2015, all in violation of Sections 254 and 255 in relation to Sections 253(d) and 256 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.
A confidential information on alleged tax evasion provided to the BIR prompted the investigation of BETSI and its responsible corporate officers.
In order to ascertain the true income received by BETSI, access letters requesting for certifications as to the income payments made to the respondent corporation were sent to the Information Systems Development and Operations Service (ISDOS) and Revenue District Office (RDO) No. 59 – Lipa City of the BIR, as well as the PCSO – Batangas Branch.
Based on the data gathered, the company substantially underdeclared its correct taxable income by P367.11 million from 2007 to 2015.
As a consequence of its acts and omissions, the respondents are liable to pay an estimated aggregate tax liability of P959.96 million, inclusive of surcharges and interests, broken down into: IT, P199.02 million; VAT, P136.55 million; and DST, P624.39 million.