By Jun Ramirez

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said on Wednesday it has drastically cut the requirements for taxpayers to do business with the agency, and has been working on further enhancing the delivery of services to the public.

Bureau of Internal Revenue (MANILA BULLETIN)

Revenue Deputy Commissioner for Operations Arnel Guballa made the statement following a harsh criticism hurled by President Duterte during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) that the BIR, together with four other government offices, have been slow in delivering services to the public, and in answering 8888 complaints forwarded by Malacanang Complaint Center to the BIR.

Under the Ease of Doing Business Program (EODB), Guballa said the BIR has reduced the number of documents for applicants to register a business from 13 to only four so that it can immediately start operating.

He said every revenue district office nationwide has set up a single unified section to process the registration requirements and a special team from the national office was formed to conduct regular inspection of these field offices to ensure maximum compliance.

He said administrative charges have been filed against revenue officers found remiss in doing their jobs, while others were reprimanded.

The revenue official said the electronic customer satisfaction survey has been implemented to get accurate and automatic feedback on all complaints received.

He disclosed that by next year the bureau will accept online registration and updates, application and generation of the electronic certificate authorizing registration (eCAR) for the transfer of real estate properties and application for tax clearance for bidding purposes.

“These innovative electronic processes will allow taxpayers to get information online anywhere, anytime (24/7),” Guballa added.
On the 8888 complaint issue, it was learned that the BIR was recipient last year of a commendation from Malacanang “for complying with the requirements for implementation and operation of the 8888 Citizens’ Complaints Hotline.”

The Certificate of Collaboration was signed by former Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco, Jr.