The continuing Tax Compliance Verification Drive of the Bureau of Internal Revenue Region 12 resulted in improved tax collections with statistics from January to August showing the agency exceeding its goal by 12.25 percent.

BIR Region 12, covering Negros Island and Siquijor, collected P2,142,128,186.44 in the first eight months of 2005. Its goal is only P1,908,317,292.67.

Norma Bayoneta, head of Taxpayers' Assistance Unit, yesterday told the DAILY STAR the TCVD, which involves taxmapping or monitoring operations, has largely helped in increasing tax collections because taxpayers have now become more informed and educated of their tax obligations.

She said tax violators have become fewer since 2003 as reflected in the fines and penalties from erring establishments.

In 2003, almost P5 million was collected, while in 2004, only about P1.5 million. As of September this year, fines and penalties totaled P967,000, from 1,225 establishments apprehended.

Bayoneta said that, through the TCVD, the tax monitors ensure that business establishments are registered, issue official receipts, display BIR notice and comply with the mandatory business requirements.

Aside from conducting tax mapping operations, the BIR Region 12 is also intensifying third party information drive with the local government units and national government agencies and collection of delinquent accounts.

Moreover, Bayoneta appealed to taxpaying public to demand for ORs for all their purchases and to owners of business establishments to issue ORs for every purchase.

We base the taxes we collect on the official receipts and we can only maximize collection with the support of the taxpayers and the business establishments, she said.

BIR Revenue Region 12, headed by Director Esmeralda Tabule and Assistant Director Diosdado Mendoza, oversees the Revenue District Office 76 in Victorias City; RDO 77, in Bacolod City; RDO 78, in Binalbagan; and RDO 79, in Dumaguete City.*NLG

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