BIR cites Tan as model taxpayer

MANILA, Philippines - For top businessmen and entrepreneurs, he’s a taipan. For foundations and non-government organizations, he’s a philanthropist. But for the Bureau of Internal Revenue, he might as well be deemed as their number one guy, since he’s their model taxpayer.

BIR deputy commissioner Nelson Aspe wrote Megaworld chairman & CEO Andrew Tan recently, thanking him “for expressing support for the BIR’s continuing tax campaign to shore up much needed revenue for the government.”

Aspe also congratulated Tan for recording P98,586,296.35 in individual income tax payments for fiscal year 2010, including final taxes paid on dividend income. “With this accomplishment, you are ranked number one in our latest tally of individual taxpayers with the highest income tax payments actually received in cash for the taxable year 2010,” the commissioner declared.

Now that it’s tax season once again, perhaps the BIR needs a role model taxpayer like this business tycoon to remind corporations and individuals of their tax obligations and to settle the same honestly and dutifully.