THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has extended the deadline for the filing of the 2019 annual Income Tax Returns (ITRs) by a month to May 15, 2020, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.
The BIR issued revenue memorandum circular no. 28-2020 yesterday on the extension of deadline from the original date of April 15, after legislators called on the agency to move the deadline as Luzon is placed under an enhanced community quarantine.
The circular, dated March 18 and signed by Caesar Dulay, BIR commissioner, said this one-month extension for income tax filing and payments has been granted without the imposition of penalties to taxpayers.
“This emergency measure is being offered to provide relief to Filipino taxpayers who will not be able to prepare, let alone file, the necessary ITR documents on or before the original annual deadline of April 15 because of skeletal workforce arrangements and enhanced community quarantine rules that the national government has implemented to contain the pandemic,” the DOF said.
The DOF, however, said an unintended result of the deadline extension is an estimated delay and shortfall in tax collections of around P145 billion, which may have to be covered by additional borrowings by the national government.
The government is thus appealing to those who are able to file within the deadline or even as early as now to do so through mechanisms that have been made available by the BIR, including online filing and payment platforms.
The DOF said this will help the government raise enough funds for the scaled-up national efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“There are more than 100 days between the start of the year and the original tax filing deadline of April 15 to prepare tax filing materials,” the DOF said.
“Some taxpayers have prepared for this early. Those who are or will soon be ready are requested to file and contribute to the government’s efforts to fight COVID-19 and stimulate economic activity amid a possible growth slowdown,” it added.
Carlos Dominguez, DOF secretary, however told reporters via Viber the possible delayed collection of the P145 billion in taxes will have “no impact” on the government’s spending plan.
In a previous revenue memorandum circular, the BIR had announced that taxpayers who are enrolled in the Electronic Filing and Payment System may settle their tax liabilities with the respective authorized agent banks (AABs) where they are enrolled.
Meanwhile, the following payment options are available for those who shall file their annual ITR through the EBIRForm Facility: over-the-counter payment through AABs; revenue collection offices in areas where there are no AABs; or via electronic/online payment through Land Bank of the Philippines’ Link.Ziz Portal, Development Bank of the Philippines’ Pay Tax Online; Union Bank Online Web and Mobile Phone Payment Facility; and via GCash or PayMaya.
PayMaya Philippines said it is waiving the P20 biller convenience fee for BIR tax payment from March 19 until May 31, 2020 made through its app.
Aside from using the app, taxpayers can also make use of online tools such as JuanTax (www.juan.tax) and Taxumo (www.taxumo.com) to help them prepare their tax returns as well as pay their income taxes, Paymaya said.
These websites are also equipped with PayMaya Checkout, so they can pay via Pay with PayMaya using their mobile numbers or using any credit, debit, or prepaid card.
Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente Sotto III yesterday thanked Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez for acting on the senators’ requests to extend the filing of income tax returns amid the prevailing Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine due to spread of COVID-19.
Sen. Christopher Go welcomed the move, saying this will give the people the chance to focus first on their safety and the welfare of their family at this crucial time.
