‘Social distancing’ BIR says paying taxes online safer
MANILA, Philippines — Taxpayers can pay online to avoid huge crowds and long lines amid the COVID-19 scare. Rosario Padilla, head of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) collection service, said that aside from being convenient, online filing and payment is a form of social distancing to avoid contracting and spreading the virus.
Taxpayers can download the eBIRForms Package version 7.6 from the BIR’s website and practice on the forms offline before uploading the final version online, Padilla said.
Payment can also be made online through the BIR’s partners for e-payment including PayMaya, GCash, LBP LinkBiz ATM/Debit Cards, DBP Tax Online Credit, and the BIR’s e-payment filing system.
Authorized agent banks will extend their operating hours to 5 p.m. from April 1 to 15, and will be open on Saturdays during this period.
Those who prefer to file their income tax returns in person can proceed to the BIR’s tax filing assistance centers in district offices, Padilla said.
