Gawin nang May 15! BIR urged to extend April 15 deadline for filing income tax returns

By Billy Begas

Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez has urged the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to extend the deadline for the filing of the 2020 income tax returns by at least 30 days.

“Because of the pandemic, the current lockdown and the policy that discourages people from going out of their homes and limits face-to-face interaction, the DOF and the BIR should give millions of taxpayers or their representatives longer time to file their tax returns and make payments,” said Rodriguez.

The deadline is on Thursday, April 15.

Rodriguez pointed out that it is not always possible for taxpayers or their representatives like accountants and bookkeepers to submit the returns online, since some supporting documents are kept in office premises that are closed due to the lockdown.

He said some tax return filers may be sick and have to isolate themselves to prevent virus transmission, making it difficult if not impossible for them to comply with the filing requirement.

While those who can personally file their returns, are having difficulty going to BIR offices due to limited public transportation.

Rodriguez said that some BIR offices may be closed for disinfection, while many banks authorized to receive tax returns are in limited operation due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

He added that in the case of corporations, the BIR has yet to make changes in its tax returns to reflect the lower income tax rates for them under the CREATE law President Rodrigo Duterte signed recently.

“Clearly, there is an urgent need for the DOF and the BIR to extend the filing deadline to give taxpayers or their representatives more time to comply with the filing requirement. The extension would also enable the BIR to introduce the adjustments required by the new law,” Rodriguez stressed.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)