2014 supplemental info optional for taxpayers – BIR

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) announced that filing supplemental information would be optional for taxpayers for the calendar year 2014.

This amends an earlier issuance requiring mandatory disclosure of supplemental information when filing tax returns.

In Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) 13-2015 dated March 31, 2015, BIR Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares said the disclosure of the supplemental information will be optional on the part of the taxpayer under BIR form numbers 1700 and 1701 for income tax filing covering and starting with calendar year 2014, due for filing on or before April 15, 2015.

But the disclosure requirement under the supplemental information portion of form numbers 1700 and 1701 will be mandatory for income tax filing covering and starting with calendar year 2015.

“Thus, taxpayers are advised to demand from their payors and properly document their BIR form number  2307 and other pieces of evidence for final taxes withheld,” Henares stated in the RMC.

Taxpayers are also reminded to properly receipt and book their tax exempt income.

The circular amends  RMC 57-2011 as amended by the RMC Nos.21-2013 and the similar 9-2014, which made the filing of passive income optional.  

Opposition

Business groups submitted a joint position paper to the Department of Finance (DOF) and the BIR on March 27 opposing the mandatory submission of the Supplemental Information Return (SIR) as part of the income tax returns of individual taxpayers.

The business groups noted the mandatory disclosure is in violation of the individual’s right to privacy and the Bank Secrecy Deposit Law.

The SIR is a redundant requirement, which imposes additional burden to taxpayers but which will not necessarily add to the tax collections of the BIR, they added. 

Erroneous declarations in the SIR could also expose the taxpayer to penalties of perjury, just like other tax returns.

Lastly, the business groups also cited the administrative difficulty in complying with said disclosure, considering the nature of the information required to be reported. – Rappler.com