The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), under the leadership of Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr., successfully conducted a nationwide Friendly Tax Compliance Verification Drive (TCVD) from February 10 to 14. This initiative saw BIR personnel visiting more than 200,000 establishments across the Philippines to educate business owners about their tax obligations and compliance requirements.
Commissioner Lumagui emphasized that the TCVD represents a significant shift for the BIR towards a more taxpayer-centric approach, moving away from traditional goal-oriented operations. The drive aimed to help taxpayers understand their tax duties, identify common compliance issues, and provide guidance on how to rectify these issues to ensure adherence to tax laws.
During the inspections, it was discovered that approximately 12% of the visited establishments were not registered, highlighting the ongoing need for efforts to encourage proper business registration. Many of these businesses were also found to be unaware of their tax responsibilities.
Common violations noted during the drive included operating without proper registration, failing to maintain books of accounts at the business location, and not displaying a certificate of registration. Additionally, some businesses needed to enhance their record-keeping practices, such as timely entries in their books of accounts and proper issuance of invoices.
The BIR reminded all taxpayers to submit their 2024 Annual Income Tax Return and settle the correct tax amount by April 15, 2025. Taxpayers requiring assistance are encouraged to visit their nearest BIR Revenue District Office or access the official BIR website for support.
Commissioner Lumagui concluded by stating that enhanced taxpayer education and improved services lead to better voluntary compliance, reinforcing the partnership between the BIR and the private sector in nation-building efforts.