BIR Eastern Visayas exceeds 2015 tax collection target

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 20 (PNA) -- Tax generated by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Eastern Visayas has reached PHP6.52 billion last year, exceeding the PHP6.39 revenue target by two percent.

BIR Regional Director Norberto D. Vitug thanked taxpayers for their support and voluntary compliance that resulted to excess collection of PHP131.13 million.

The 2015 collection is also PHP1.32 billion or 25.44 percent higher compared to the PHP5.19 billion taxes earned a year ago.

The region achieved its target in 2015 primarily due to high collection of revenue district offices (RDOs) in Borongan City, which covers Eastern Samar province and Tacloban City, which generates taxes from northern Leyte and Biliran province.

Borongan RDO posted a 12.11 percent collection more than its target or an excess of PHP58.45 million. 

Tacloban RDO, on the other hand, generated an additional PHP257.42 revenue or 9.95 percent above its target.

“The massive implementation of post-Yolanda rehabilitation helped spur the economy, resulting to better tax collection in these areas,” Vitug said.

The other four RDOs failed to achieve the 2015 collection. 

These are Maasin RDO (Southern Leyte) with a deficiency of PHP66.53 million, Catbalogan RDO (Samar) with a shortfall of PHP53.94 million, Catarman RDO (Northern Samar) with a deficit of PHP41.91 million, and Ormoc RDO (western Leyte) with a deficiency of PHP22.36 million.

The BIR official declined to elaborate the reason behind failure of these four RDOs to meet revenue goals since field officials have yet to come up with analysis.

However, all district offices managed to surpass the 2014 collections ranging from 13.53 percent to 32 percent, according to BIR records.

For 2016, the BIR regional office in Eastern Visayas is tasked to collect about PHP8.67 billion taxes.

The bureau is counting on computerization projects such as online system for transfer tax transactions, electronic certificate registration, and electronic tax information system to enhance revenue generation.

BIR will step up compliance monitoring through existing programs such as the Run Against Tax Evaders and Oplan Kandado. 

It will also launch a tax campaign within the first quarter. (PNA)

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