7 firms face tax evasion charges

The Bureau of Internal Revenue on Thursday filed charges against seven Metro Manila companies and 13 individuals for allegedly evading the payment of about P390 million in taxes. AFP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Bureau of Internal Revenue on Thursday filed charges against seven Metro Manila companies and 13 individuals for allegedly evading the payment of about P390 million in taxes.

Among those charged was DG Gold Chain Distributions, its president Gregorio Mendoza and treasurer Larry Hernandez, for allegedly underdeclaring their purchases and sales in 2006, resulting in tax liabilities of P191.41 million—or P141.51 million in income taxes plus P49.90 million in value-added taxes.

R-Jell Marketing & Construction Co., based in Sta. Cruz, Manila, was charged with understating its taxable income from 2005 to 2008, resulting in unpaid taxes of P73.8 million, including surcharges and interest. The company’s three general partners were included in the suit.

Two other Manila companies, E & D Parts Supply Inc. and Haldane Philippines, together with their officers, were charged with willful failure to pay taxes totaling P39.22 million.

Also charged were Quezon City-based Q-Al General Merchandise, Banawe Paint Center & General Merchandise and Buildtosuit Corp., together with their proprietors and officials, which the BIR said owed the government a total of P85.43 million in income and value-added taxes.

The cases against the companies and individuals were the 258th to 264th suits to filed at the Department of Justice by the revenue agency under its “Run After the Tax Evaders” drive.–Jerome Aning