BIR expects P3.5M revenue from candidates in Capiz
ROXAS CITY – Officials of the Bureau of Internal Revenue in Capiz are optimistic that local candidates here during the May 10 elections will remit their withholding tax due to the government.
In a press conference facilitated by the Philippine Information Agency, Capiz Revenue District Officer Gil Tabanda said that they are expecting about P3.5-million revenue from the 437 candidates in the province.
Tabanda explained that the revenue due represents the 5-percent withholding tax per candidate who joined the recent local elections.
He added that based on records from the Commission on Elections here, there were 50 independent candidates, 387 candidates who belong to a political party, and 1 local political party accredited by the Commission.
As of June 17, BIR Capiz was only able to collect P374,522.11 or only more than 10 percent of the expected revenue from the candidates’ total expenditure.
He stressed that only 120 of the 437 candidates were also able to register as tax withholding agents, which is a requirement by their office in the remittance of the said tax.
Tabanda said that with the extension in the filing of the statement of expenditures as well as payment of the withholding tax for said candidates, they are hoping to collect said amount due to the government.
“After the deadline set by the COMELEC, the BIR could run after non-compliant candidates by sending them reminders, tax assessment and file the necessary legal action through summary procedure,” he stressed.
Under the law, and independent candidate is only allowed to spend P5.00 per registered voter, while a candidate with a political party is allowed to spend only P3.00 per voter.
Tabanda also revealed that per record of their office, candidates from the towns of Dumalag, Tapaz, Jamindan, Pilar and President Roxas were not yet able to file their withholding taxes.
On the other hand, he appealed to the candidates who win and lost in the local elections here to do their responsibility as required by law in filing their taxes to do away with the penalties and other sanctions. (PIA/Jemin B. Guillermo)
