The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) collected over P2.5 trillion in revenues in 2023.
This figure, which was announced during the BIR’s national tax campaign kickoff in Manila yesterday, is roughly eight percent up from the previous year’s collection.
However, it fell below the goal of P2.64 trillion.
“One of the reasons for that (shortfall) would be that the last quarter for value-added tax was paid in 2024. So that’s one of the reasons,” Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said on the sidelines of the BIR’s event, referring to the shift from monthly to quarterly filing of VAT returns last year.
“But essentially, I think they did a good job. I think the bigger challenge will be for 2024, because the revenue targets are high as well,” Recto added.
The BIR said in its presentation that the nationwide enforcement of its operations on illicit trade of cigarettes, vape and other excisable articles resulted in the collection of P137.18 million last year.
Also, 259 total cases were filed under the Run After Tax Evaders Program in 2023, with total tax liabilities reaching P18.3 billion.
The BIR also reported that the cases filed against ghost corporations, corporate buyers, accounting firms, buyers and sellers translated to total tax liabilities of P45.2 billion.
Under the Oplan Kandado program, there were 179 closure orders, resulting in total collections of P987.74 million.
Meanwhile, the number of registered taxpayers rose six percent in 2023 to nearly 5.5 million.
For this year, the BIR has a collection goal of P3.05 trillion.
For his part, BIR commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said last year’s collection was the highest recorded in the bureau’s history.
“This could have been higher if not for some adjustments in our VAT filing and payment deadlines,” the BIR chief also said, echoing Recto’s statement.
Meanwhile, Lumagui said that the BIR is set to go after more “big fishes,” after it recently filed a tax case against a large cosmetic brand.
The BIR chief said these big companies are in various sectors such as construction and manufacturing, among others.
