BIR - La Union Posted Highest Collection in Region-1

                         AS OF JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union - The Bureau of Internal Revenue's District Office No. 03 based here has exceeded its collection target as of September by more than P245-Million.

RDO -3 Chief Charmaine C. de la Torre said recently that despite the pandemic brought by the phantom Corona Virus Disease-19, her office had already posted P1.937-Billion in taxes from January to September, exceeding its P1.691-Billion goal by 14.51%.

The present collection is the highest among the six revenue district offices in the four provinces' region.

The tax district covers nineteen towns and one city of the Northern Luzon's province.

Focusing on enforcement activities and taxpayer awareness programs, RDO-3 has been implementing closure orders for at least two (2) erring establishments for under-declaration of sales. The district office is also processing the filing of  Run After Tax Evaders (R.A.T.E.) cases against certain taxpayers for violation of the National Internal Revenue Code.

Revenue District Office-3 Chief Charmaine C. dela Torre (second from left) leads her staff in closing the business establishment of an errant taxpayer in an operation dubbed as "Operation Kandado (Padlock)".

Now on its 5th episode, the revenue district continues to educate taxpayers on various tax updates and regulations via virtual (online) learning.

 The most recent of which was the webinar on Voluntary Assessment and Payment Program (VAAP). Earlier, RDO-3 held a webinar on One-Time Transactions (ONETT) involving transfer of real properties. 

Earlier the district office had a webinar for taxpayers engaged in digital transactions (online businesses).

De la Torre explains that the virtual platform allows as many participants, even outside their revenue district, to be educated right at the comfort of their homes or offices, without the unnecessary cost of travel and risk of getting infected with COVID-19. She further claims that these enforcement and taxpayer awareness programs are meant to awaken consciousness and enjoin active participation of the taxpaying public in nation-building especially during these trying times.