By Jun Ramirez

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) garnered P1.779 trillion last year which was P203.5 billion higher than the actual collection in 2016 of P1.576 trillion.

The take represented more than 97 percent of its collection goal of P1.829 trillion, or a shortfall of about P50 billion.

Observers in and out of the bureau considered the deficit “insignificant” as it has been sustaining hundreds of billions deficit for decades due mainly to erroneous economic forecast by fiscal authorities.

BIR Commissioner Caesar Dulay said they were able to approximate the collection assignment through various enforcement activities.

The BIR chief said 112 tax evasion cases worth R41 billion were filed against delinquent business operators nationwide.

Under the “Oplan Kandado” program, 125 business establishments were closed and allowed to resume operations after paying fines totaling to P252 million for various offenses including under declaration of sales and non-compliance with value-added tax rules and regulations.