The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is silent over the mounting request by taxpayers nationwide to suspend the online filing of 2015 income tax returns (ITRs), or extend the submission beyond the April 15 deadline.
But informed sources said the BIR may issue new guidelines next week allowing taxpayers to file their ITRs manually, or extend the deadline to accommodate taxpayers who have been experiencing difficulties in accessing the BIR webpage.
The same sources said the BIR management is awaiting reports and recommendations coming from regional and district offices which are being besieged with complaints about the inaccessibility of the BIR website before making any decision.
The BIR has come out with instructions and alternative sites (Revenue Memorandum Circular Nos. 14-2015 and 16-2015) this week on how to download the electronic tax forms (eBIRForms).
In filing ITRs, taxpayers are no longer required to enroll or register, one of the major problems they encountered in reaching the BIR computer platform.
They are asked to simply email their returns via additional routes like www.knowyourtaxes.ph and wait for BIR notification or advice.
Professional groups like the Tax Management Association of the Philippines (TMAP) and some lawmakers endorsed taxpayers’ appeal to delay the implementation of the computer filing system until it has perfected the procedure.
Selected groups of taxpayers are now required to file their ITRs electronically, including those with “no payment” returns, government offices, accredited accountants and their clients.
Manila Bulletin
