Incoming BIR chief targets lifestyle checks on social media influencers, professionals

Incoming Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) commissioner Lilia Guillermo floated the idea of checking the lifestyle of social media influencers and professionals in a bid to boost tax collection.

File photo: BIR logo

Lifestyle check on for influencers and professionals soon?

Guillermo called on them to settle proper taxes as the government faces mounting debt. Last April, the Philippines logged its record-high debt, reaching PHP 12.76 trillion.

Marami rin nakikitang citizens ang tataas ng lifestyle nila, yet kung compare mo taxes na binabayaran nila, ma-question mo rin: bakit ang dami mo properties? Display mo pa nga, she said.

Lifestyle checks among BIR officials will also continue under her leadership.

The incoming tax secretary also said she would take advantage of her experiences as a statistician, IT professional, and her stint at the central bank to increase the country's tax collection.

Guillermo said she is also targeting to lead the BIR's moral transformation. The agency is known as one of the most corrupt offices in the government.

She said the BIR would beef up its digital transformation to provide seamless services to Filipinos.

Make it easy for taxpayers to comply na madali sila magrerehistro, madali sila kukuha ng mga resibo, madali sila mag-pay ng taxes. So that in that case, it will be easy for them to comply. Papasok voluntary ang tax collection, she said.

Source: ABS-CBN