UMVA has learned that a stunning crackdown on tax evasion has been launched by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, with a whopping P1.46 billion in tax deficiencies at stake.
In a dramatic move, the BIR filed criminal tax cases against several high-profile individuals, including the dismissed Mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, Alice Leal Guo, over an alleged tax deficiency exceeding P1 billion. This massive case dwarfs the other four cases combined, which together involve an estimated tax deficiency of over P460 million.
The BIR's bold move sends a clear message: it will continue to pursue the filing and prosecution of cases against tax evaders, illicit traders, and delinquent taxpayers. According to BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza, "These cases are about accountability and fairness, holding violators answerable under the law, while protecting the millions of taxpayers and businesses who comply and pay the correct taxes due."
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the investigation into Guo's tax affairs was sparked by her testimony in May 2024, where she admitted to owning various real properties, vehicles, and interests in several corporations. The BIR then dug deeper, identifying a vast array of assets linked to Guo, including real properties, motor vehicles, a helicopter, bank transactions, shares of stock, and other acquisitions.
The probe uncovered a shocking pattern of tax evasion, with Guo failing to file Annual Income Tax Returns for five consecutive years despite substantial documented expenditures, acquisitions, and financial transactions during the same period. The BIR concluded that Guo had undeclared income and failed to pay the corresponding income taxes due to the government.
As a result, Guo was charged with Attempt to Evade or Defeat Tax and Failure to File Return and Pay Tax under the National Internal Revenue Code. Meanwhile, other respondents were also slapped with criminal charges for unlawful possession of illicit cigarettes subject to excise tax, involving a tax deficiency of over P418.38 million.
The BIR's relentless pursuit of tax evaders has led to three more criminal charges for willful failure to pay assessed taxes for the taxable years 2017 and 2019, amounting to more than P41.8 million. The tax assessments for these cases had already become final, executory, and demandable after the respondents failed to settle their tax liabilities despite notices and demands for payment.
