The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is now after buyers of ghost receipts and will serve notices to those who continuously patronize the fraudulent activities brought by these receipts.
The BIR said the notices will be served by the National Task Force-Run After Fake Transactions (RAFT), which was created solely for the purpose of auditing and investigating the buyers of fake or ghost receipts.
Ghost receipts are fictitious receipts/invoices where transactions did not take place. They aim to reduce the income tax and value-added tax (VAT) liabilities of the purchaser by claiming false deductions/expenses and claiming input VAT on the basis of fictitious transaction, ultimately resulting in defrauding the government of taxes.
“I have filed cases against the sellers and certified public accountants (CPAs) involved, the buyers of fake/ghost receipts will now be audited,” BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said.
Previously, the commissioner said the war against ghost receipts will be made on three fronts: buyers, sellers and CPAs.
Criminal cases have been filed before the Department of Justice against the sellers and the CPA involved in the syndicate last March 16. An administrative complaint for the revocation of license against the same CPA has also been filed before the Professional Regulation Commission last March 21.
“I have the list of all the buyers of fake/ghost receipts. We will remain aggressive in this campaign and will go after everyone involved until this illegal activity is stopped. I am challenging you to come clean forward and together let us be partners in nation-building,” Lumagui said.
