The local revenue district office of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) identified over 10 establishments in Palawan as candidates for closure under “Oplan Kandado” due to failure in registering their businesses.
Assistant revenue district officer Atty. John Rainier Camba said Tuesday, September 7, that the bureau already closed an unregistered establishment in El Nido during the first semester of 2021. The candidate establishments for Oplan Kandado are under the sale of goods or retail.
“Meron tayong mga candidate na ipapasa sa regional office, unregistered din. Mga nabisita namin sa prior months na hindi pa sila nagco-comply sa registration requirement sa pagbabayad ng penalty,” he said.
The BIR is giving them 48 hours to comply with paying penalties, according to Camba. If their penalties are not paid within 48 hours, a five-day warning will be issued, followed by a temporary closure order from the national office if the business continues to be noncompliant after the second notice.
“Hindi siya puwede mag-open kasi may sarili kaming padlock, ma-o-open lang ‘yon kapag nagbayad siya ng penalty. Mag-i-issue kami ng lifting order,” he said.
According to Camba, it’s likely that businesses didn’t register because they couldn’t go to Puerto Princesa owing to mobility limitations and anxiety caused by COVID-19 cases. He went on to explain that there are still a lot of misunderstandings regarding tax registration and payment.
He emphasized the need of registering all companies and sources of income with the BIR.
“Iniiwasan pa rin nila ‘yong misconception na kapag nag-register sila, automatic na magbabayad sila ng tax. Iyon ang kanilang misconception na kapag nag-register, magbabayad agad ang tax. Hindi naman ganoon ang scenario kasi magbabayad lang sila ng income tax kung lumagpas sila sa ceiling na P250,000 na income,” he said.
In 2020, there are no establishments that were temporarily closed by BIR due to movement restrictions caused by the pandemic.
“Kung may makikitang activities dito sa Palawan na meron kaming napasara, magkakaroon ng thinking na seryoso talaga ang BIR when it comes sa implementation, complying with the tax laws,” he said.
About Post Author
