THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) recently issued Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 2-2012 (RMC) reminding Revenue Collection Officers (RCOs) of their limited power to accept tax payments of internal revenue taxes during specified deadlines and issuance of revenue official receipts (RORs).
The RMC reminds that pursuant to prevailing regulations, the authority of RCOs located in areas where there are Authorized Agent Banks (AAB) to issue RORs shall apply only on the following deadlines:
1. On Jan. 31 – for the payment of the Annual Registration Fee;
2. On the 10th day of the month – for the remittance of withholding taxes;
3. On the 20th day of the month – for the filing and payment of business taxes such as the percentage and VAT;
4. On the 25th day of the month – for the filing and payment of quarterly VAT; and
5. For the annual income tax payment of individual taxpayers as well as calendar-period corporate taxpayers, the issuance of RORs shall start five working days prior to and until April 15.
Furthermore, the issuance of RORs by RCOs shall be limited to tax payments only in cash not exceeding P20,000 per return.
However, there shall be no limit on the amount if payment is made through check.
Non-compliance to the existing rules, policies and guidelines on the acceptance of tax payments by RCOs assigned in areas where there are AABs will subject the concerned revenue officials and employees to administrative disciplinary action under the Revised Code of Conduct for BIR Officials and Employees, as promulgated under Revenue Memorandum Order No. 53-2010.
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You may contact the author at rester.nonato@yahoo.com.