Tax evasion cases filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) so far this year involve tax liabilities estimated to amount to more than P2.2 billion, according to a statement released by the revenue-generating agency yesterday.
The BIR said it has filed a total of 78 criminal complaints against erring taxpayers under its Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) Program for the period of January to August 2022.
The said cases involve estimated total tax liabilities amounting to P2.249 billion.
The program was initiated by the Department of Finance and the BIR since 2005 to investigate and prosecute individuals and/or entities that committed tax evasion and other criminal violations of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.
By emphasizing the criminal nature of tax evasion, the BIR aims to enhance taxpayers’ voluntary compliance and promote public confidence in the tax system.
Based on the report provided by the Enforcement and Advocacy Service, 11 revenue regions (RR) have filed RATE cases from January to August.
Topping the list is RR No. 8A in Makati City with 16 RATE cases filed, followed by RR No. 5 in Caloocan City and RR No. 6 in Manila with 15 and 14 cases filed, respectively.
RR No. 7A in Quezon City and RR No. 8B in South National Capital Region (NCR) filed eight cases each, while RRs No. 7B in East NCR and No. 9B in Laguna-Quezon-Marinduque filed five cases each.
Meanwhile, RR No. 13 in Cebu City filed four cases, while RRs No. 1 in Calasiao, No. 4 in Pampanga and No. 9A in Cavite-Batangas-Mindoro-Romblon each filed one case.
“In view of its deterrent effect on tax evasion, the RATE Program has been on top of the list in the BIR’s Priority Programs along with other tax enforcement activities, such as ‘Oplan Kandado’ Program, Broadening of the Tax Base and Intensified Conduct of Audit and Investigation,” the BIR said. – Angela Celis
