BIR launches Internet lounges for taxpayers
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has launched its Internet lounge project with an initial facility at the Pasig City Hall to encourage taxpayers to avail themselves of its services online with free access.
Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim S. Henares said in a statement that some 30 revenue district offices in Metro Manila— including the RDO No. 43B where the initial “eLounge” is located—would have their own facilities by March, in time for the tax filing season.
RDOs outside Metro Manila will have their own eLounge depending on the availability of funds.
Henares said the BIR eLounge facility could improve the efficiency of taxpayer service through the use of information and communications technology.
“It operates like the ubiquitous Internet café to encourage taxpayers to take a more serious look at the BIR’s online services (dubbed eServices) and avail of them to speed up their transactions,” she said.
“Unlike in the business sector, however, availment of BIR eLounge services is free of charge,” she added. “The eLounge provides a more convenient option of availing the services of the BIR so I encourage all taxpayers to make use of the eLounge.”
Henares said that through the eLounge, the BIR’s eServices like the eFPS or electronic filing and payment system, would be easily accessible to taxpayers who wanted to transact business online.
Taxpayers can file returns electronically and pay their taxes through the Internet banking facility. They can also access from the eLounge information on tax compliance requirements on registration, filing of returns and payment of taxes, among others.
The eLounge, which is manned by a member of the BIR staff to help users, is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or later, depending on the needs of taxpayers.
In a related development, the Social Security System has expanded the services of its text-messaging facility to make members’ transactions more convenient, especially for those who live far from the agency’s branches, including overseas workers.
SSS vice president Mario Sibucao yesterday said members could now get updates on the status of their benefit claims and relay their concerns to the pension fund by sending a message using their mobile phones.
Sibucao said the enhanced Text-SSS facility also provided the location of the nearest SSS branch and the list of required documents for benefit claims and change in membership data.
“We expanded our services to include inquiries on the status of sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death and funeral claims as well as medical benefits under the employees compensation program, which SSS administers for private sector workers,” he said.
