BIR offers abatement program to taxpayers

The Bureau of Internal Revenue has offered an abatement program to all taxpayers with existing delinquent accounts or assessments as of June 30.

BIR regional director Jaime Santiago said the program is under Revenue Regulations No. 15, 2005 and Revenue Memorandum Order No. 23, 2006.

Covered by the program are delinquent accounts or accounts receivable cases; income tax second installment cases; dishonored checks cases; cases with administrative protest pending with different BIR offices; assessed cases, whether preliminary or final, as of June 30; and civil tax cases being disputed before the Department of Justice and other courts.

Other cases covered include those with pending request for compromise settlement under BIR regulations; pending request for abatement under RR 13-2001; failure to withhold withholding taxes discovered upon audit; criminal violations except those under the RATE Program; accounts payable to BIR; and letter notice cases.

Taxpayer shall pay an amount equal to 100 percent of the basic tax using BIR Form 0605.

Santiago said the deadline under this program will be on October 31, urging taxpayers to visit the nearest BIR offices for further clarifications. - Gregg M. Rubio