BIR open to tax payments via credit cards

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) expressed willingness to accept tax payments via credit cards, adding that the proposal would require the assistance of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s largest business group. The proposal “will make it easier for some taxpayers who may not be liquid," BIR commissioner Sixto S. Esquivias IV said while at the sidelines of PCCI-sponsored tax seminar on Tuesday. "That is doable. We need a more detailed proposal on that. If taxpayers can pay through credit card, why not?" he added. Moreover, he also emphasized that the BIR, the Philippine government’s largest source of revenue, also “deserves" the private sector's help. "I appeal to your sense of patriotism and remind you we have the same civic duty of paying the correct amount of taxes," he said during a talk delivered at the seminar. “Through our partnership, this nation can survive the global crisis. Nandito ako ngayon, tiklop-tuhod at nagsusumamo sa inyo na sana ay huwag ninyong talikuran ang tungkulin bilang mamamayan ng Pilipinas. [I am here before you, kneeling and begging that you don’t renounce your duties as citizens of this country]." At the same time, the official announced that he was able to convince his boss, Finance Secretary Margarito B. Teves, to designate Marietta Lorenzo as the new deputy commissioner to handle tax reform administration. Lorenzo’s appointment “is very crucial in my agenda in BIR," Esquivias said. “We need to institutionalize many reforms in the BIR," he said. “We want to ensure these reforms will be continuing even if I am long gone. I want to leave a legacy of reforms in the BIR." - GMANews.TV