Of tax clearances & PhilGEPS certificates

WE have been so pregnant with cacophony of issues that had been whipped up by the conspiracy of political opposition, politicized clerics, pan-handling human rights NGOs and the CPP/NPA/NDF that we overlooked some significant developments which are of better import than the razzmatazz of Trillanes and the drama at the kangaroo courts in the Hague.

Let me bring home my points quickly and briefly. If online gaming operators can do it why cannot the government agencies? Just very recently, the Department of Finance Sec. Sonny Dominguez approved the proposal of the Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Cesar Dulay to devolve the processing of Tax Clearance Certificates to the regional offices of the BIR.

TCC is an important document for business establishments especially those who intend to transact with government offices. It is an important document required by Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) before a company could qualify to bid for either supply or undertake to construct government infrastructure projects.

Ms. Grace Evelyn Lacerna, BIR Chief of Accounts-Receivable Monitoring Division, bared that devolving the function of processing Tax Clearance Certificates accomplishing and submitting necessary documents transactions can now be done in the regional and district offices where the applicants reside. She explained that the new directive is aimed at cutting red tapes and help business establishments and individuals cut on costs.

In the case of PhilGEPS Certificates are already “downloadable” online from the applicants locations. This is a big relief for businessmen as they now can process their applications and submit soft copies of documents online. Fees are paid in the local Land Bank branch. This eliminates human contacts and therefore under-the-table deals are totally eliminated.

Tax Clearance Certificates starts with submission and complying with requirements and submitting these to the district BIR office. Tax clearance is issued by the BIR district office which is then brought to the Regional Office of the BIR for the issuance of TCC.

In both cases, applicants need not fly to Manila. That saves them thousands of pesos in transport, meals and lodging and going through the hustle and bustle of horrendous Manila traffic.