BIR-Cordillera exceeds 2021 revenue collection goal by P400 Million plus

“Top 10 in performance nationwide.”
BAGUIO CITY – The Bureau of Internal Revenue-Cordillera Administrative Region (BIRCAR) has collected a total of P5.999 billion in revenues for the taxable year 2021, overshooting its revenue target by P400 million plus, a 10 percent increase of its assigned goal, and recognized among the Top 10 performing agency nationwide.
“For the revenue collection of BIR-Cordillera, I am very proud to announce that (BIRCAR) is among the Top 10 nationwide in achieving our collection target.
For the year 2021, we have exceeded our assigned goal by P400 million plus-almost 10 for our annual goal,” according to Douglas Rufino, Regional Director of BIR-CAR in a press forum held recently. Rufino attributed its agency’s performance to the teamwork demonstrated by the “hardworking men and women of BIR-Cordillera, and the cooperation through tax compliance by our valued taxpayers in the (Cordillera)region.”
“We (BIR-CAR) didn’t have to resort to closures to make our taxpayers as compliant as they could be.” Rufino said even as he pointed out “difficulties” posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Summary of collection performance per district office (Jan-Dec 2021): Baguio City’s revenue collection posted the highest with P2.858,996 billion; followed by Benguet with P1.063 billion; Kalinga-Apayao with P727.021 million; Abra P 521.814 million; Ifugao P380.335 million; and Mt.Province P371.410 million for a total of P5,999.974 billion regionwide.
Based on Cumulative Revenue Collection by Type of Tax: Income tax contributed the highest with P3.695 billion followed by Value Added Tax at P1.481 billion; other taxes P435.844 million; Percentage Tax P376.049 million; while Excise Tax P11.032 million.
For the current year (2022), as of April, the agency has collected P2,388,774,620.32 billion, equivalent to 24.12 percent growth. All district offices posted positive growth, except Ifugao which posted a negative growth (16.64 percent).
Historically, the Summer Capital-Baguio City topped its collection with P1.126 billion; Benguet P400.906 million; Kalinga -Apayao P301.148 million; Abra P275.244 million; Mt Province P151.111 million; and Ifugao P133.441 million short of its P150.963 target for the first quarter (2022).
Irene Goze, Collection Division (BIR-CAR) clarified, as far as the agency’s collection, it is to be noted that “Collection data as of May 16, 2022, subject to change depending on the reconciling items from National Office.
Other points that BIR-CAR presented include: tourism receipts have significantly increased, especially in Baguio City, noted by the increase of economic activities, brought by the “easing” of entry protocols; tax base in the region had been widening; high public spending by the local government units, contributing high-income tax receipts, among others.
BIR-CAR also noted several registration engaging online businesses, however, the agency urged new those in online business to register to avoid future legal cases.
Moreover, the agency noted an “increase” in electronic filing and payment. Also in 2021, some 73 cases of “delinquent taxpayers” were resolved through the “persuasive” way applied by the agency.
In line with the BIR campaign against erring taxpayers – Run Against Tax Evaders (RATE), the local agency has filed three cases, mostly in Abra.
Among the RATE cases filed include non-filing of income tax and undervaluation. Meanwhile, Rufino clarified that “it’s not a recognition, we (BIR) are just protecting the revenue base,” referring to the issuance of BIR receipts to the National Electrification Administration (NEA)-appointed general manager of Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO).
Primo Agatep/ ABN

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