DOJ to 'relentlessly' pursue prosecution of tax evaders who 'use fake receipts'
The Department of Justice (DOJ) declared on Monday, March 4, its relentless prosecution of tax evaders who use fake receipts.
“We cannot simply tolerate tax evaders,” said DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla in a statement.
Remulla said that recently the DOJ filed multiple charges against Buildforce Trading, Inc., its corporate officers, and a certified public accountant for purposely defrauding the government of tax dues.
“The filing of cases is a welcome development in our fight against tax evasion. More cases are expected to be filed in the coming days,” he said.
The DOJ filed the case after a panel of prosecutors conducted a preliminary investigation on the complaint lodged by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) based on the results of the investigation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) which found that “Buildforce Trading produced fictitious receipts and invoices.”
“Following a comprehensive evaluation on the affidavits and evidence submitted by the parties, the panel of prosecutors filed before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) one (1) count each of attempt to evade or defeat tax, and willful failure to supply correct and accurate information in Income Tax Return, and four (4) counts of willful failure to supply correct and accurate information in Quarterly VAT (value added Tax) Returns against the corporation and its 2 corporate officers,” the DOJ said.
“Meanwhile, one count of making false entries, records or reports was filed before the Metropolitan Trial Court against the public accountant,” it also said.
“The panel of prosecutors recommended further investigation against the ghost/fly-by-night corporations and their buyer companies claiming false purchases and expenses using fictitious BIR sales invoice receipts for possible violations of the other penal laws under the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended, and of the Revised Penal Code and other penal laws,” the DOJ added.