The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has filed criminal cases with an estimated tax liability of P1.8 billion against buyers and sellers of ghost receipts.
In a statement, the BIR said 15 criminal cases were filed before the Department of Justice yesterday.
A total of 69 respondents, which include corporations, corporate officers and accountants, were impleaded in the cases filed.
“The sale and use of ghost receipts is a tax-evasion scheme of the highest order. The BIR is committed to filing civil and criminal charges against all corporations, corporate officers and accountants involved in this syndicate,” BIR commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said.
“We are already preparing the next set of criminal cases,” he added.
The BIR said these buyers and sellers of ghost receipts come from different industries, such as construction and hardware, marketing of goods, equipments, office supplies, automotive oils, trading of metals, contractor electrical and mechanical systems, hotel and food services.
The tax bureau said this shows the magnitude of the syndicate because it covers an array of industries.
According to the BIR, these buyers and sellers have violated Section 254-Tax Evasion, Section 255-Failure to Supply Correct and Accurate Information in the Income Tax Returns and Value Added Tax Returns, Section 267-Perjury and Section 257-Making False Records or Report under the National Internal Revenue Code. – Angela Celis
