The Bureau of Internal Revenue in Dumaguete City has announced the extension of time within which to avail of the Improved Voluntary Assessment Tax, and its abatement program.

Revenue District 79 officer Arturo Acabal said the extension up to March 31 is aimed at giving delinquent taxpayers more time to clear their records with the BIR. A number of local government units in Oriental Negros have availed of the program, particularly the abatement of tax, which will result in condonation of penalties.

Acabal said that 285 cases against delinquent taxpayers are being processed. Taxpayers would rather settle their obligation than face tedious court litigation, he said. Under the IVAT, concerned taxpayers are immune to investigation by paying the basic tax plus the 30 percent increment. However, the national government is yet to come up with a fair methodology in computing the goals of each Revenue District Office.

The national target is P730 billion for this year, to be distributed in the entire country, Acabal said.

The provincial BIR office collected P831 million last year, and expects to collect P940 million this year based on the 13 percent growth rate.

Of the four revenue district offices in Negros Island, Revenue District 79 in Dumaguete has the highest IVAT collection with P15 million, while Bacolod City, Binalbagan and Victorias, placed second, third and fourth, respectively.*JG

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