The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has extended the deadline for the filing of returns and payment of corresponding taxes for taxpayers who will be affected by the implementation of upcoming tighter quarantine restrictions.
According to BIR Revenue Memorandum Circular 91-2021 dated August 3, the deadline falling within the period from August 6 to 20 for taxpayers under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and modified ECQ (MECQ) has been extended for a period of 15 calendar days from August 20.
“However, if the ECQ and/or MECQ will be extended, then filing of returns and payment of the corresponding taxes due thereon, and submission of reports and attachments falling within the period shall also be extended by 15 calendar days from the lifting of the ECQ and/or MECQ,” the BIR said.
“If the extended deadline falls on a non-working day or a holiday, the same shall be on the next working day,” it added.
During the said period, the BIR said taxpayers may still pay internal revenue taxes at the nearest authorized agent banks notwithstanding revenue district office (RDO) jurisdiction, file and pay the corresponding tax due to the concerned revenue collection officers of the nearest RDO, or pay taxes through online payment facilities.
These facilities include the Land Bank of the Philippines’ Link.Biz portal, Development Bank of the Philippines Pay Tax Online, Union Bank Online Web and Mobile Payment Facility and via Gcash or Paymaya.
The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO) has directed Manila Water Company, Inc. and Maynilad Water Services, Inc. to suspend all service disconnection activities whether temporary or permanent for the duration of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) starting Friday.
The MWSS-RO also appealed to concerned local government units to allow meter readers of the water concessionaires to continue their on-site reading and billing operations during the ECQ period.
In a letter, MWSS-RO chief regulatory Patrick Ty said the move will enable the concessionaires to bill their customers based on actual water consumption and minimize billing complaints that may abound if the customers were to be billed based on average consumption.
Ty added the concessionaires were ordered to ensure strict compliance of their meter readers and other personnel with the prescribed health and safety protocols. – Angela Celis and Jed Macapagal
