BIR

2021 BIR National Tax Campaign launched

House Resolution commending BIR 2020 performance issued
BY Mary Aileen Lim

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) launched its Commissioner’s Message

2021 BIR National Tax Campaign with the theme
“Sama-Sama sa Hamon ng Panahon: Buwis Ko, Para
sa Pilipino” on February 17, 2021 at the Philippine
International Convention Center (PICC).
The event was aired live via Facebook, and was
spearheaded by Commissioner Caesar R. Dulay and
Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III. It was
highlighted with a panel discussion moderated by Mr.
Deo Macalma, Radio Anchor of DZRH and participated
in by the country’s largest taxpayers, namely: Vice
Chairman of UnionBank of the Philippines, Justo
A. Ortiz; Chairman, CEO and President of PLDT, Inc.,
Manuel V. Pangilinan; Chairman and CEO of Ayala
Corporation, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala; President
of San Miguel Corporation, Ramon S. Ang; and
President and Chairman of ICTSI and Chairman of
Bloomberry Resorts Corp., Enrique K. Razon, Jr.
During the virtual tax campaign kick-off, Commissioner
Dulay thanked the taxpayers’ cooperation in helping
the BIR collect the much needed revenues, especially
this time of COVID-19 pandemic. He encouraged
taxpayers to take advantage of the tax amnesty and the
compromise settlement option.
“Salamat sa inyo at patuloy tayong magtulungan. We
are here to serve you. All we need is your compliance
with the law as we implement the law. And if we are
to help you, it should be within the bounds of the law,
gagawin natin ‘yun,” Commissioner Dulay said.
The Commissioner also acknowledged the teamwork of
the revenuers, stating the importance of patriotism and
nationalism as public servants. “Gusto natin gawin ang
trabaho para sa bayan. Andito tayo, nag-seserbisyo at
hindi pinag-seserbisyuhan,” the Commissioner added.

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Finance Secretary’s Message
Secretary Dominguez, on the other hand, expressed his
optimism that the BIR will continue to attain its collection
goal despite the challenging public health crisis. “Our
revenue generating agencies kept our nation’s lifeblood
flowing. To the credit of the Bureau of Internal Revenue
and the able leadership of Commissioner Billy Dulay, our
main agency was able to overshoot its revised collection
target by 15.7% in 2020. That accomplishment goes a
long way in reinforcing our fiscal position. I am confident
that the agency will continue to make progress in
applying digital technology for all its processes,”
Secretary Dominguez said.
During Mr. Deo Macalma’s interview of the country’s
largest taxpayers, they all pledged their support and
cooperation to the BIR’s tax collection efforts this year.
They also lauded the digital transformation initiatives of
the BIR that made tax return filing and payment easier
for taxpayers despite the limitations brought by the
community quarantines.
2020 BIR Major Accomplishments
Part of the tax campaign kick-off program is the
presentation of the BIR’s 2020 Major Accomplishments
through an audio-visual presentation (AVP). Based on
the presentation, the BIR was able to collect P 1.95
Trillion in 2020 through its various programs being
implemented. Very notable among the programs are the
strict monitoring of taxpayers’ compliance through the
Taxpayer Account Management Program (TAMP) and
conduct of intensified audit and enforcement activities,
such as Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) Program and
“Oplan Kandado” Program. Said activities resulted to
the shutdown of two (2) Philippine Offshore Gaming
Operators (POGO) entities and seizure of assorted
cigarette products with more than 22 Million counterfeit
tax stamps valued at P 1.228 Billion.
Close monitoring of withholding tax remittances of
NGAs, LGUs and top withholding taxpayers were
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pursued during the pandemic through the use
of electronic facilities (i.e. email and telephones/
cellphones).
Additional payment channels were also launched
in 2020 resulting to increase on the use of the BIR’s
eFiling and ePayment facilities to 94% vs. 6% manual
filing/payment. In fact, P 1.665 Trillion of the BIR’s
collection in 2020 was made thru the BIR’s various
ePayment channels.
In the area of taxpayer assistance, through the Bureau’s
implementation and strict observance of “Ease of
Doing Business”, the BIR was given 85% satisfaction
rating by ARTA and was given a commendation by the
8888 Office of the President Complaint Center for the
Bureau’s 100% resolution rate for complaints received.
Several revenue regulations and circulars were also
issued by the BIR in 2020 to implement the provisions
of the “Bayanihan Acts”, in addition to the Bureau’s
involvement in the giving of “ayuda” to the employees
of the most affected sectors of the economy under the
Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS) Program.
BIR Plans and Programs for CY 2021
In the AVP, the Deputy Commissioners likewise shared
their Plans and Programs for CY 2021, each carrying an
affirmative word of encouragement for the revenuers.
The Operations Group will continue its “Teamwork”
in monitoring taxpayers’ compliance. “We will have
dialogues with taxpayers and will continuously remind
them of their obligations to file and pay their taxes.
Sama sama tayo sa isang direksyon,” DCIR Arnel SD.
Guballa said.
The Legal Group believed in the “Sama samang effort
ng BIR at pakikiisa ng taxpayers”. “We will ensure
that taxpayers are paying the right amount of taxes
on time. Pagtitibayin pa natin ang RATE to further
enhance compliance with the tax laws,” DCIR Marissa
O. Cabreros said.
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The Information Systems Group used the word
“Adaptive” by continuing to train and improve the
skills of the revenuers. “We will accelerate the digital
transformation of the BIR for an improved taxpayer
experience through the use of electronic filing and
payment channels,” DCIR Lanee C. David said.
For the Resource Management Group, “Unity” is
important not only for the operations of the BIR but also
for the revenuers as well. “We will continue to expedite
recruitment of skilled workers as well as the promotion
of competent revenuers to fill up vacant positions,”
DCIR Celia C. King said.
Congress’ Commendation for BIR 2020 Performance
During the one-on-one interview of Commissioner
Dulay, Mr. Deo Macalma congratulated him and the
entire BIR workforce for receiving a commendation from
the House of Representatives (through the issuance of
House Resolution No. 1538) “for achieving an all-time
high of 15.14% over its tax collection target for the
Fiscal Year 2020”.
In response, Commissioner Dulay expressed his
appreciation to Congress for the commendation
accorded to the BIR. “Kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa
parangal na ibinigay ng House of Representatives”, he
said. He then acknowledged the contributions of the
revenue officials and personnel in producing a very
good performance for the BIR in 2020.
“It’s a team effort…sila talaga ang gumawa ng
magandang performance”, said the Commissioner. He
also thanked Secretary Dominguez for his full support
to the revenue-generating initiatives of the BIR.
In House Resolution No. 1538, it was stated that the
“BlR has exceeded its tax collection target for the Fiscal
Year 2020 despite the crippling effect of the COVlD-19
pandemic on the national economy”. A total of P 1.94
Trillion was collected by the BIR last year, exceeding its
goal of P 1.69 Trillion by 15% or P 255.19 Billion. The
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last time the BIR reached its goal was in 2001 and 2003.
Commissioner Dulay attributed the good performance
of the Bureau in 2020 to the use of technology (i.e.
cellphones, internet, etc.) in reaching out to taxpayers
to remind them about the tax deadlines and extension
of tax deadlines, and in making the presence of the BIR
felt by them during community quarantines.
“BlR Commissioner Caesar R. Dulay’s decisive
leadership, together with the entire economic team
of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (headed by Finance
Secretary Carlos Dominguez III), has steered the
Bureau to surpass its fiscal target through sustained
implementation of various fiscal measures aimed at
improving the tax collection efficiency of the national
government, such as the strict implementation of the
Taxpayer Account Management Program, monitoring
of tax remittances, and escalation of tax awareness
learning activities at the local level despite the global
health crises brought about by the COVID-19 Pandemic,”
the Resolution stated.
“This sterling performance of the Bureau of lnternal
Revenue for FY 2020 under the leadership of
Commissioner Caesar R. Dulay, despite the current
economic challenges, should be held up as an example
for other public servants to emulate.... “, the Resolution
further stated.
For 2021, the Commissioner said that the BIR will
continue implementing its existing programs, such as
close monitoring of TAMP Taxpayers, RATE Program
and “Oplan Kandado” because they have been proven
effective in generating revenues. The digitalization of
the Bureau’s operations will also be continued to make
tax return filing and payment of taxes more convenient
for taxpayers.
House Resolution No. 1538 was introduced by
Pampanga 2nd District Representative, Hon. Juan Miguel
Macapagal Arroyo and Leyte 1st District Representative,
Hon. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
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