BIR files tax charges against firms over ₱1.4-billion 'ghost receipts'
By Jun Ramirez
(BIR photo)
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed multiple criminal complaints against buyers of “ghost receipts” to crack down on fraudulent tax evasion schemes.
In a statement, BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. said the bureau filed criminal complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday, Aug. 7, against 23 corporations, 56 corporate officers, and 17 certified public accountants (CPAs).
“We have filed another set of criminal cases against those who use Ghost Receipts. 23 tax evasion cases against 23 corporations, 56 corporate officers, and 17 accountants. All of whom are involved in the use of Ghost Receipts to evade taxes,” Lumagui said.
The complaints allege violations of tax evasion, perjury, and false reporting. These entities from various industries, including construction, manufacturing, food, and electronics, are accused of using fraudulent receipts to create the appearance of legitimate business expenses.
The scheme allowed them to lower their tax payments, resulting in an estimated total tax deficiency of ₱1.41 billion. The BIR added that the suspicious purchases were made from “ghost corporations,” which are entities that exist only on paper without actual business operations or assets.
The BIR has already seen success in similar cases, having won all criminal complaints against the sellers of ghost receipts before the DOJ. The agency also secured victories against buyers, their corporate officers, and accountants,
The BIR highlighted previous DOJ resolutions, including those against large companies like Ever Bilena Cosmetics Inc. and CHG Global Inc. (World Balance), which are now pending before various courts.
“We will not stop filing tax evasion cases against those who use Ghost Receipts,” Lumagui said.
He added, “We have filed, and won, criminal cases before the DOJ even against large companies such as that of Ever Bilena and World Balance. The DOJ found probable cause to indict them for tax evasion for their use of Ghost Receipts. We will not stop. The proliferation and use of Ghost Receipts ends now.”