THE BUREAU of Internal Revenue (BIR) XI noted that the Davao region’s collection performance in 2023 amounted to P23 billion, an increase of P1 billion registered growth or 4.49% of the P22.1 billion in the previous year.
During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum on Oct. 8, BIR XI reported that the region’s thriving industries ranked in the top 10 in the country.
“The top industries for calendar year 2023 are construction, public administration and defense, human health and social work service, admin and support services, and other services, followed by real estate activities, education, information and communication technologies, accommodation and food service, and agriculture,” the report said.
According to the bureau, Davao Region has 230,560 registered business taxpayers and 42,537 individual taxpayers. This also includes 573 registered online sellers. In the current year, the BIR has issued 8,013 TIN cards and 17,294 certificates of registration.
It also noted that the region garnered a collection growth of P1.4 billion (total of P16.4 billion) for the period of Jan. to Aug. 2024 compared to the same months of the previous year (amounted to..)
“Our revenue officers have also visited 17,194 establishments under the taxpayer compliance and verification drive program. We also have conducted 1,608 taxpayer awareness programs, which consist of seminars, radio guestings, tax assistant centers, and press releases among others,” the report added.
Esmeralda Tabule, BIR XI regional director, clarified that all collections and payments from taxpayers through banks and other payment platforms were deposited into the national treasury.
“We are ensuring that we explore all avenues for collecting revenue, including putting our revenue officers at risk, just to check on taxpayer compliance. We are conducting tax mapping to inform them of their obligations, so you can be assured that our agency is dedicated to serving taxpayers by teaching them how to fulfill their obligations,” Tabule said.
On a separate note, BIR XI through Revenue Region 19 (Davao City) filed 55 RATE (Run After Tax Evaders) cases from 2022 up to the present.
“Among the policy directions of the commissioner of internal revenue is to campaign against untaxed articles and excise tax, which cost 19 taxpayers to face criminal cases and a tax consequence totaling P226 million,” the report said.
Atty. Monica Alvizo, BIR XI Legal Division officer, said 5 RATE cases have been filed for this year’s first semester.
“There are individuals and also big companies who are what we call tax evaders. We have filed cases among them and have prospered, there are also pending cases in courts,” Alvizo said.
BIR-Davao City and its 5 revenue district offices have also visited 17,194 establishments to ensure their continued compliance and to expand the tax base.
