BIR files tax evasion raps vs 7 firms

FILE: Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) (Photo: Bureau of Internal Revenue Philippines)

MANILA — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Tuesday filed separate tax evasion complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against six corporate firms and two delinquent taxpayers for alleged failure to pay taxes amounting to PHP757 million.

Charged for willful failure to pay taxes despite being informed of their liabilities were six corporate firms namely Enviroking Corp, Enzio Ferrera Collections Intl, Filippi Nouvelle Inc, Ira General and Security Services Inc, Lifeware Technology Inc, and VTM Quilts Collection Inc.

BIR Assistant Commissioner James Roldan said investigation showed that notices were sent to six firms informing them of their tax liabilities multiple times, but were “ignored by the respondents, as the aforecited assessments remained unpaid.”

“The respondents’ obstinate failure and continued refusal to pay their long overdue deficiency taxes, despite repeated demands, constitute willful failure to pay the taxes due to the government,” Roldan said.

Trading firm Enviroking Corp is being sued for PHP642.75 million tax liabilities that goes back to 2009.

Security firm Ira General is slapped with a tax complaint for alleged failure to pay taxes amounting to PHP44.07 million.

Manufacturing firms VTM Quilts, Lifeware and Enzio Ferrera are being charged for unpaid taxes of PHP25.32 million, PHP11.20 million and PHP8.2 million, respectively.

Filippi Nouvelle, a wholesale firm for sugar, confectionery and bakery products and other processed foods, is facing tax evasion complaint for PHP8.56 million.

Construction firm Oger Branch Philippines Inc, meanwhile, is facing 40 counts for willful failure to electronically pay taxes. Roldan said that despite the BIR’s repeated demands through collection notices to Oger Branch, the taxes due on the subject returns filed remained unpaid.

Meanwhile, the BIR also sued two delinquent taxpayers, identified as Joanas Godoy Coronel and Rommel Lavarias, for willful failure to pay long overdue taxes amounting to PHP5.33 million and PHP4.62 million, respectively.

The cases filed against delinquent taxpayers has total of 86 tax evasion cases under Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) program under the leadership of Commissioner Caesar R. Dulay. (PNA)