THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has filed criminal complaints against four delinquent taxpayers with unpaid liabilities totaling P58.5 million, bringing the number of cases filed under the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) program to 78.
In a statement on Thursday, tax chief Charlito Martin Mendoza said the complaints filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) were against three companies and an individual accused of willfully failing to pay internal revenue taxes.
The cases were said to form part of the BIR’s broader effort to strengthen tax enforcement and improve revenue collection.
The largest liability involves Hamaya Philippines Corp., a company registered in Bacoor, Cavite, which allegedly owes P27.294 million in deficiency income and withholding taxes for 2017.
Next is an individual identified as Annalyn Esteves Hara of Sorsogon, who was said to owe the government P15.903 million in income and value-added taxes (VAT) for the same year.
Meanwhile, Antipas DT Construction and Development Corp., based in Digos, Davao del Sur, was charged over alleged deficiency income tax, expanded withholding tax, VAT, and documentary stamp tax liabilities amounting to P9.661 million for 2019.
The BIR also filed charges against SH Business Construction Services Inc., which the agency said could no longer be located at its registered address when notices were served. The company allegedly owes P5.648 million in deficiency income tax and VAT for 2017.
The BIR said all four failed to respond despite repeated notices, final assessment notices and warrants of distraint and levy issued over several years.
“Once assessments become final and executory, the BIR is prepared to pursue the appropriate legal remedies, including criminal action,” Mendoza said.
He also urged taxpayers to address deficiencies and settle obligations through proper channels before cases escalate into criminal proceedings.
“We remind taxpayers to respond promptly to BIR notices and settle their obligations through the proper channels before cases escalate further,” he added.
Under Section 255 of the Tax Code, conviction for willful failure to pay taxes carries penalties of at least P10,000 in fines and imprisonment ranging from one to 10 years.
The BIR said responsible corporate officers also face additional liabilities and penalties under Sections 253 and 256 of the National Internal Revenue Code.
The RATE Program, one of the government’s flagship tax enforcement initiatives, targets individuals and corporations suspected of tax evasion and other violations of tax laws.
