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BIR sets more reforms to speed up tax transactions

By Prinz Magtulis (The Philippine Star) | Updated August 2, 2016 - 12:00am

Secondary registration

MANILA, Philippines - Easier business application to print receipts, registration of books and point-of-sale or POS machines could be next in line in the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)’s thrust to ease tax transactions.

“We discussed secondary business registration considering the President’s order to make them easier,” BIR deputy commissioner Nelson Aspe said in a phone interview.

While declining to provide details, Aspe said more reforms to “speed up” tax dealings could be expected in the coming days “since we also want taxpayers to be encouraged to pay.”

Secondary registration pertains to registration of book of accounts, application for authority to print receipts and invoices, use or cash register machine or POS and computerized accounting systems.

Aspe attended the second meeting on streamlining business registration last July 27, which followed earlier orders by BIR commissioner Caesar Dulay to speed up issuances of tax documents.

So far, Dulay has ordered for a one-day processing of tax clearances and five days for certificate authorizing registration. The original for the latter was five to 10 days.

He had also vowed to issue within the day of application international special and general carriers certificates.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said easing tax payment methods could encourage people to pay more and lead to increase revenues.

“There must be a way to eliminate the long lines at the BIR offices. Why punish our clients when they have come to pay?,” he said in his speech marking BIR’s 112th anniversary yesterday.

“We can have cleaner, airier and more welcoming offices, for instance...Let the taxpayers breather. You are collecting their money after all,” he added.

These, in turn, are expected to widen the tax base which would offset revenue losses from lower income taxes, without the necessity to raise value-added tax to 14 percent.

“We are still discussing with the House (of Representative) how to proceed (with the tax reform),” Dominguez said.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has not replied to queries of press time. Tax proposals should emanate from the Lower House by law.

For his part, Senate President Koko Pimentel vowed to support legislative measures that would help BIR “boost its morale” to collect more taxes.

“The new Senate leadership would study the proposal to exempt BIR (employees) from SSL (Salary Standardization Law),” he said in a separate speech.

BIR is the government’s main revenue agency, which accounts for roughly 80 percent of state revenues.

Before the Duterte administration took over, the agency has collected P783.4 billion as of June, up 11 percent year-on-year.
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KNOWING YOUR BIR REGULATIONS AND ISSUANCES

Revenue Regulations (RRs) are issuances signed by the Secretary of Finance, upon recommendation of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, that specify, prescribe or define rules and regulations for the effective enforcement of the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) and related statutes

Revenue Memorandum Orders (RMOs) are issuances that provide directives or instructions; prescribe guidelines; and outline processes, operations, activities, workflows, methods and procedures necessary in the implementation of stated policies, goals, objectives, plans and programs of the Bureau in all areas of operations, except auditing.

Revenue Memorandum Rulings (RMRs) are rulings, opinions and interpretations of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue with respect to the provisions of the Tax Code and other tax laws, as applied to a specific set of facts, with or without established precedents, and which the Commissioner may issue from time to time for the purpose of providing taxpayers guidance on the tax consequences in specific situations. BIR Rulings, therefore, cannot contravene duly issued RMRs; otherwise, the Rulings are null and void ab initio

Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMCs) are issuances that publish pertinent and applicable portions, as well as amplifications, of laws, rules, regulations and precedents issued by the BIR and other agencies/offices.

Revenue Bulletins (RB) refer to periodic issuances, notices and official announcements of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue that consolidate the Bureau of Internal Revenue's position on certain specific issues of law or administration in relation to the provisions of the Tax Code, relevant tax laws and other issuances for the guidance of the public.

BIR Rulings are official position of the Bureau to queries raised by taxpayers and other stakeholders relative to clarification and interpretation of tax laws.
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