BIR runs after Makati inn, ad agency

THE BUREAU of Internal Revenue (BIR) has filed complaints against an advertising firm and a tourist inn, both based in Makati City, for their alleged failure to pay taxes worth P50 million in 2008.

Sued in the Department of Justice were Adformatix Inc., an advertising agency located in Legaspi Village, and Lucid Tower Tourist Inn Apartelle Corp. in Barangay La Paz.

Named respondents were Adformatix chair Guillermo Garcia, president Liane Vergara, treasurer Lolita Ordonez, vice president for accounts Ma. Minerva Dimson and manager Nestor Reantaso, and Lucid president Florentino Lucido and treasurer Eufemia Ofelia Pangilinan.

According to BIR deputy commissioner Estela Ansales, Adformatix failed to pay taxes amounting to P42.75 million, inclusive of increments. The figure includes P4.8-million income tax, P1.04-million final withholding tax, P0.36-million final withholding value-added tax (VAT), and P36.55-million expanded withholding tax.

Lucid Tower was cited for alleged failure to pay taxes in 2008 worth P11 million, inclusive of surcharges. The amount covers P8.02-million income tax, P2.81-million VAT, P.25-million documentary stamp tax, and P34,000 compromise penalty, Ansales said.

The BIR official said the two companies were served preliminary and final assessment notices detailing the discrepancies, as well as preliminary collection letters, final notices and warrants of distraint or levy.

They failed to protest or contest the assessments, making them final, executory and demandable, Ansales said.

The two companies and its officials were charged with violation of the National Internal Revenue Code, particularly Section 55, for willful failure to pay taxes. Jerome Aning