BIR targets youths in tax info campaign

By: Rachelle M. Nessia

(Dumaguete City, October 13, 2010) --- The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) here is targeting youths in the province in its advocacy campaign for efficient tax payments.

Local BIR Taxpayer Services Division Chief Jose Senador, in a forum attended by 100 college students of Negros Oriental State University in Siaton Campus, stressed that it is easier to start the advocacy among youths. “When you talk about taxes to adults, the common immediate reaction is negative as they consider it a burden,” said Senador.

By making the youths understand the importance of paying the appropriate and correct taxes,  Senador hopes that this would produce future professionals who are more supportive to the government’s tax collection campaign.

He likewise stressed that even the students are already paying taxes indirectly with each purchase they make. “When you buy your phone load, or any item you buy that is P100 and above, you should always ask for a receipt,” he reminds the students.

Senador told students to immediately report to the BIR office whenever a store refuses to issue a receipt or does not immediately issue one.

He said the common practice among local stores is for salesgirls to ask customers if they need a receipt. “This is wrong. They should immediately issue receipts whether the customer asked for it or not,” stressed Senador.

Non-VAT stores are required to issue a receipt for every purchase worth P25 and above, while VAT-registered establishments are to issue receipts for purchases from P1.00 and above.

However, vendors selling food products inside the public market are not required to issue a receipt. “But once they transfer elsewhere and sell their products outside the public market, then they are required to issue a receipt,” said Senador.

The forum in NORSU Siaton Campus is the second in a series of symposiums conducted jointly by BIR and the Philippine Information Agency in the province. (PIA/RMN)