BIR files tax case vs Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines – This time, it’s the boxing icon.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the government’s main collection agency, has filed contempt charges against Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao for failing to present his tax records to the agency.

Pacquiao, a world boxing champion and one of the highest paid sports personalities, is the latest among the growing list of Filipino individuals and entities that the Aquino government has filed a case against as part of an ongoing name-and-shame campaign against alleged wrongdoers.

BIR Commissioner Kim Henares told the local media that Pacquiao is facing contempt charges but not tax evasion charges.

The BIR, through the agency’s regional director Rozil Lozares, issued a Letter of Authority to Pacquiao requiring him to submit documents to the agency regarding his earnings and corresponding tax payments.

“All our regional directors can issue a Letter of Authority. It’s a normal examination,” Henares said.

A Letter of Authority is an official document that empowers a Revenue Officer to examine and scrutinize a taxpayer’s books of accounts and other accounting records, in order to determine the taxpayer’s correct internal revenue tax liabilities.

Henares said the BIR has been asking Pacquiao to submit his tax records to the agency to check if there are deficiencies.

The tax bureau is particularly interested in the following from Pacquiao:

• annual income tax return in 2010
• book of accounts
• list of assets
• earnings from his fights against Antonio Margarito and Joshua Clottey
• data on product endorsements

Henares said that all taxpayers, especially those with businesses, are subjected to a tax audit by the agency at least once.

Since Pacquiao snubbed these request for documents, the BIR has filed the case before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Koronadal, the tax chief said. – Rappler.com