BIR tax effort improves to 11.26% in ‘17

Dulay is optimistic of hitting their target this year after the improvement of collection they posted in 2017. (Photo: Bureau of Internal Revenue Philippines)

MANILA— Tax collection effort of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)  improved to 11.26 percent last year from an average of 10.5-10.9 percent in the last five years.

BIR Commissioner Caesar Dulay, in his speech during the induction of new officers and general membership meeting of the Tax Management Association of the Philippines, Inc. (TMAP) on Thursday, said the bureau did some “last two minutes” moves last November and December as it urged taxpayers to be responsible on their dues.

“We sought out the help of and we were very, very happy that they responded that’s why the figures are there,” he said.

“We have a very good tax ratio and we have a very good growth rate for 2017,” he stressed.

Last year, the agency collected PHP1.779 trillion, 97.27 percent of its PHP1.829 trillion goal. Revenues grew by 12.92 percent, higher than the PHP1.576 trillion it collection in 2016.

This year, BIR has been tasked to collect PHP2.039 trillion.

Dulay is optimistic of hitting their target this year after the improvement of collection they posted in 2017.

“We’re working very hard,” he told journalists in an interview after the event.