BIR: No extension for April 15 ITR filing deadline

MANILA, April 11 ------ The Bureau of Internal Revenue reminded taxpayers to file their annual income tax returns on or before April 15, Tuesday. Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said there will be no extension of the deadline. "Wala na pong palugit, uulitin po natin, dahil nagsimula na po tayo ng kampanya ng as early as February at gumagana po ang online facilities po natin at nagkaroon din po tayo ng extension ng mga banking hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.” he said in a television interview. 

Lumagui urged taxpayers to file online through the Electronic Filing and Payment System and get electronic forms from their website, www.bir.gov.ph. Micro and small taxpayers have the option to file through the bureau’s online facilities using the old BIR forms 1701 and 1701-A, according to the commissioner. “Pero kung gusto po nating gamitin ang bago pong forms, iyong mas pinaiksi po natin na form ay puwede pong mag-manual filing, iyan po iyong 1701 MS na form para doon sa updated forms po,” he added. 

For taxpayers who have no access to the internet, the bureau chief encouraged them to use the e-lounges in BIR offices. “Libre po ang paggamit diyan, may computer po diyan at may internet po at tutulungan po kayo ng aming mga revenue officers para ma-fill-up itong mga forms na ito at makapag-file at makapagbayad ng tamang buwis,” Lumagui stated. 

Lumagui called on taxpayers to file as early as they can to avoid incurring 12 percent interest and 25 percent surcharge once they file their annual ITRs beyond the deadline. 

Source: news.abs-cbn.com