PNA
MANILA – Ghost receipts will come back to haunt businesses that use them to evade taxes, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. warned on Wednesday.
Lumagui issued the warning following the filing of criminal charges against cosmetics firm Ever Bilena for its alleged use of fake or “ghost” receipts to reduce its tax liabilities.
In a post on his official Facebook page, Lumagui said the Department of Justice (DOJ) had found probable cause in the case and had already filed charges in court in April.
Four criminal information were filed against Ever Bilena Cosmetics Inc. and its president, Dioceldo Sy, and treasurer, Miami Siytaoco, before the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 33 for tax evasion and failure to supply correct and accurate information in its tax returns.
The cases are in relation to the BIR’s intensified Run After Fake Transaction (RAFT) Program involving fake/fictitious receipts.
The charges against Ever Bilena are also part of the BIR’s Fearless and Aggressive Enforcement Activities program, which targets tax evasion and fraud.
Based on the investigation of the RAFT Task Force, Ever Bilena used and claimed benefits from the ghost receipts issued by Decarich Supertrade Inc., a ghost company.
The BIR previously filed a criminal complaint against Ever Bilena before the DOJ on Feb. 1, 2024 for tax liabilities amounting to PHP1.6 billion.
“Ito po ay malinaw na tax evasion. Kaya’t paalala po natin sa ating mga negosyante… tigilin po natin ito. Wag po tayong gumamit ng ghost receipts, magbayad po tayo ng tamang taxes para makatulong po sa ating bayan (this is a clear case of tax evasion. We are reminding our businessmen… stop this practice. Don’t use ghost receipts, pay the correct taxes to help our country),” Lumagui said.
“Hindi mag aatubili ang BIR, katuwang ang DOJ, na magsampa ng kasong kriminal na tax evasion laban sa mga gumagamit ng mga ghost receipts (The BIR, in coordination with the DOJ, would not hesitate to file criminal charges of tax evasion against those who use ghost receipts).”
In the same post, Lumagui thanked the DOJ and Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla for backing the BIR’s campaign against tax evaders.
Under Section 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, any person found guilty of tax evasion may be punished by a fine of not less than PHP500,000 but not more than PHP10 million.
Guilty parties also face imprisonment of not less than six years but not more than 10 years. When the offender is a corporation, the penalty is imposed on the responsible officers. (PNA)
