Fewer glitches, complaints in this year’s ITR filing

MANILA, Philippines – Less system glitches led to a smaller number of complaints from taxpayers in this year’s income-tax filing season that will end on April 15, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said.

“There were lesser complaints now than last year,” BIR deputy commissioner Lilia Guillermo said in a text message yesterday.

She did not cite data, however, on the lesser volume of complaints. The STAR also sought data from different BIR offices, but they still have to respond as of press time.

Income-tax filers have until Friday to pay their dues with the bureau without any penalties.

BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said there will be no extension of the deadline.

Guillermo urged taxpayers to file early. “We hope that taxpayers will not wait for the deadline to file online because there is also traffic over the air,” she said.

Late filers will be slapped a 20-percent interest and 25-percent surcharge based on the amount due. Additional surcharges will be paid by taxpayers who did not use the required e-filing system.

Last year, the BIR came under withering public criticism after requiring taxpayers to file their dues online. However, the system turned out to be either slow or prone to breakdowns. This led to some delay in payments.

After the public outcry, the BIR extended by two months the filing of “No Payment” returns, or those who did not need to settle anything.