By Cindy Ferrer/PNA
ILOILO CITY – The three branches of the DLS grocery store in Iloilo were simultaneously shut down by the Bureau of Internal Revenue 11 (Panay Island) for tax violations on Monday.
This following the closure here of three branches of a merchandising establishment also for tax violations four days ago.
Through the “Oplan Kandado” program, Alberto Olasiman, Regional Director of BIR-11 and Josie Lourdes Tang, Revenue District Officer of BIR’s district office 75 based in Zarraga, Iloilo, led the enforcement of the closure at the main branch of the establishment in Janiuay, Iloilo.
Another two teams of BIR implemented the closure in two other branches of the grocery store in Pototan and Jaro district in Iloilo City. They were assisted by the personnel of the Iloilo City Police Office and the Iloilo Police Provincial Office.
The closure order was signed by Arnel Guballa, Revenue Deputy Commissioner for Operations.
In a media interview, Olasiman said the establishments were closed because their tax declaration was found to be more than 30 percent short of the correct sales and they have incurred substantial deficiency in the taxes they pay.
“They have been doing that since 2016 until this year,” he said.
However, Olasiman did not disclose the exact amount of tax deficiency.
Olasiman recalled that it was September when the simultaneous tax surveillance was conducted in the three branches of the establishment because they suspect underdeclaration of their sales.
“It was conducted within 10 days and our personnel have been monitoring their daily sales,” he said, adding that they have found out that there was indeed an understatement on their sales.
Last October 9, BIR then issued five-day notice of violation against the establishment, but they still failed to amend and pay the tax deficiency.
Another 48-hour grace period was given to them last October 26, but the taxpayers still failed to act on their violation, Olasiman said. Then, they recommended to the central office for the closure of the establishments.
Meanwhile, Tang said they will wait for the owner to pay the tax deficiency before they will request for the lifting of the closure order and for them to reopen the business.
“We hope that the owner (of the establishment) could immediately settle their deficiency with us so that the closure of their establishment will not take long because we are willing to talk to them and if they are willing to settle their deficiency, we could request for the lifting of the closure,” she said.
Last December 13, three branches of the New Ginzu Merchandising located in Iloilo City and the towns of Miag-ao and Pototan were also padlocked due the tax violations.
However, Olasiman said the owner of the establishment already went to them last Friday and expressed their commitment to pay amend and pay their tax deficiency.
Olasiman reiterated his appeal to all the establishments in Panay Island to state their correct sales and pay right taxes so they will not be subjected to surveillance and closure.
