Why BIR has yet to collect estate taxes

President Rodrigo Duterte had this to say as he called out the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for its alleged failure to collect estate taxes, in what Malacañang amounts as just a “reminder” to the tax agency to act on its mandate.

In his regular public address aired Tuesday night, Duterte reasoned taxes could have helped the cash-strapped government bankroll some of its programs.

“Saan tayo maghanap ng pera ng ganoon na kadali na siguro?” the President asked when he justified his decision to not suspend e-sabong operations.

Duterte did not name whose estate taxes are yet to be settled. Asked to clarify Duterte’s statement, acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar refused to confirm whether the President was referring to a specific issue.

“The President only reminded the BIR to act on its mandate, and that is to collect taxes,” Andanar said.

“Hindi lang sa kung sinong politiko o personalidad aba’y dapat sa lahat ng hindi nagbabayad eh habulin ng BIR sapagkat kailangan ng karagdagang pondo ang ating national government,” he added.

In recent days, presidential candidates and several groups have called on the BIR to go after the Marcos family’s estate taxes amounting to P203.8 billion. | Sean Rafio