THE AUTHOR of the Tax Amnesty Law, which expired last week, wants the measure to be extended for two more months to allow more delinquent taxpayers to avail themselves of the amnesty.
Rep. Danilo Suarez said that a considerable number of delinquent taxpayers were unable to beat the tax amnesty deadline because they were not aware of the requirements and procedures.
Suarez said the Bureau of Internal Revenue issued only last week--the amnesty's deadline--the circular explaining the tax amnesty's procedures and requirements.
The BIR started to offer the amnesty in September last year and ended it last March 5.
"Apparently, more people still wanted to apply for the amnesty," Suarez said. "But some were not able to do so because the circular came out late."
The congressman also expressed dismay over the the BIR's apparent failure to issue the circular ahead of time.
"I did not get the much needed cooperation from the BIR [in pushing for the law's extension]," Suarez said.
His statement followed reports that the BIR collected close to P2 billion from those who availed themselves of the amnesty. The amount was less than what the BIR expected--at P3.8 billion--and Suarez's target of P4 billion.
But as far as the BIR was concerned, it did its part to make the public aware of the details of the tax amnesty law.
The BIR reportedly conducted roadshows in Metro Manila and various parts of the country to let people know of the tax amnesty.
