The Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr., ordered and led the nationwide filing of 74 criminal complaints for tax evasion approximately amounting to P 3.58 Billion before the Department of Justice against erring individuals and corporate taxpayers in violation of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended (NIRC).
The filing of these cases was made through its Run After Tax Evader Program.
The BIR established this R.A.T.E Program to require revenue officials and employees to investigate criminal violations and assist in the prosecution of criminal cases. Enforcement of tax laws is needed to enhance the voluntary compliance of taxpayers. This is the reason why one of the main thrust of Commissioner Lumagui is Intensification of Enforcement Activities.
Also present in the filing of these cases are Deputy Commissioner for the Legal Group Marissa O. Cabreros, Deputy Commissioner for the Operations Group Maridur V. Rosario, Assistant Commissioner James H. Roldan of the Enforcement Advocacy Service, Assistant Commissioner Jethro M. Sabariaga of the Large Taxpayers Service, Prosecution Division, LT Collection Enforcement Division and revenue officials from the participating Revenue Regions.
The Revenue Regions and LT Division which filed separate criminal cases against the aforementioned tax evaders are:
The following violations were charged against the erring taxpayers: Willful Failure to Pay Taxes; Willful Attempt to Evade or Defeat the Payment of Taxes Due; Willful Failure to Pay/Remit its Income Tax Liabilities. This includes those who filed their tax returns, without corresponding payment.
“We would like to remind tax evaders that the BIR is serious in pursuing its enforcement activities on a national scale. We are also sharing this to the public because we want to assure you that the BIR is committed to ensure that everyone is paying their fair share of taxes,” Commissioner Lumagui said.
Recently, Commissioner Lumagui also led the BIR during its first nationwide raid of illicit cigarettes (January 25, 2023). Filing of criminal cases against these illicit cigarette traders is soon to follow.
“As tax filing season is approaching, let this serve as a warning to taxpayers who intend to fraudulently evade payment of taxes that they better file and pay the correct taxes,” Commissioner Lumagui warns.
