The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has filed 78 tax evasion charges against delinquent business and individual taxpayers for refusal to settle tax liabilities amounting to more than P2.2 billion from January to August this year.
BIR Commissioner Lilia Catris Guillermo vowed to continue filing criminal charges to compel taxpayers to be more honest and prompt in settling their financial obligations to the government under the Run-After-Tax-Evaders (RATE) program.
The RATE was initiated by the BIR and it's mother unit, Department of Finance, since 2005 to prosecute those who cheat on their tax payments.
"The RATE aims to enhance taxpayers' voluntary compliance and promote public confidence in the tax system," said the BIR chief in a press statement.
In view of its deterrent effect on tax evasion, Guillermo added the RATE will remain on "the top list of the bureau's priority programs as well as the Oplan "Kandado" to widen the tax base and intensify investigation."