BIR files P200-M tax evasion raps vs 2 firms

ABS-CBNnews.com

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has filed separate criminal complaints against two corporate taxpayers and its officers for violating tax laws.

The BIR filed charges against ePacific Global Contact Center Inc. as well as its president Rosendo Ballesteros, and vice president Alfredo Miguel Jr. for Willful Failure to Pay Taxes under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.

ePACIFIC, a Filipino company engaged in telecommunications, and its officers were assessed deficiency tax liabilities for taxable year 2005 of P153.7 million.

Also charged for the same violation were Energy Food Drinks Inc., its president Jaime Chua and senior vice president/treasurer Renato Chua.

Energy Food and its officers were assessed deficiency tax liabilities for taxable year 2008 in the sum of P59.43 million.

The BIR also filed a criminal complaint against Malabon employee Philip Tay Laude for willful attempt to evade or defeat tax, and deliberate failure to supply correct and accurate information in his Income Tax Return (ITR) for taxable year 2013.

Laude was sued for an aggregate income tax liability covering taxable year 2013 amounting to P21.98 million, including surcharges and interests.

Laude’s case stemmed from a preliminary investigation conducted by the BIR on his alleged perpetration of tax evasion schemes.

BIR investigations showed that Laude made several investments in 2013 amounting to P50.66 million with Timson Securities, Inc.; Emperor’s 168 Palace, Inc.; and First Paramount Holdings 888, Inc.

Records from the BIR, however, showed that he only declared earnings of P741,000 in 2013.

His wife, Marissa Laude, was also charged by the BIR with tax evasion last May 22 for making substantial investments which exceeded her reported income.