By Zinnia B. Dela Pena (The Philippine
Star) | Updated July 14, 2014 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of
Internal Revenue (BIR) is setting its sights on owners of dormitories and
boarding houses as part of the government’s intensified drive against tax fraud
and tax evasion.
The BIR has launched “Resibo sa Upa Mo Katumbas
ay Premyo” program, which allows students staying in rooming houses or
dormitories in Manila a chance to earn cash just by remitting to the agency the
receipts or invoices issued by their landlords.
The BIR’s Manila Revenue Region director
Araceli Francisco said the project came
about after the agency noted the low tax
compliance by operators of rooming houses.
She likewise noted the failure by most
lodging operators to register their businesses with the BIR.
The program’s goal is to boost revenue collections and ensure that owners of
boarding houses and dormitories pay the correct taxes.
The BIR will only accept receipts or
any proof of payment that were issued by the lodging operators beginning Jan. 1
this year.
Participants may drop their receipts
at drop boxes located in various universities and colleges in Manila as well as
in some branches of the National Bookstore.
The BIR will hold weekly draws beginning
July 23, with the grand draw set on Aug. 23.
The program is also aimed at addressing the
perennially low income tax collection in the self-employed, businesses and
professionals segment.
The government is reportedly losing an
amount equivalent to four percent of the
economy’s gross domestic product every year due to tax evasion and
income under-declaration.
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