DOJ summons actor for P4.45-M tax rap

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has summoned actor-director Zoren Legaspi in its preliminary investigation of the P4.45-million tax evasion charge filed against him by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) earlier this month. 

In a subpoena issued last week, investigating Assistant State Prosecutor Stewart Allan Mariano ordered Legaspi to appear before the DOJ in a hearing at 10 a.m. today and answer the charges involving his alleged misdeclaration of income in 2010 and 2012. 

It alleged that Legaspi evaded payment of taxes worth P4.45 million in those years.

According to declared income payments made to Legaspi by withholding agents, the actor received a total income of P9.64 million in 2010, and P6.49 million in 2012.

Legaspi, however, declared a gross income of only P6.79 million in 2010 and P1.82 million in 2012. The BIR alleged that he underdeclared his taxable income by P2.85 million or 42 percent in 2010, and P4.67 million or 256 percent in 2012.

The BIR said as a result of his acts and omissions, Legaspi’s aggregate income tax liability for 2010 and 2012 amounted to P4.45 million, including surcharges and interests, broken down into P1.92 million for 2010 and P2.53 million for 2012.