Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. warned taxpayers on Tuesday to avoid dealing with unscrupulous individuals posing as “fixers” who claim to settle tax obligations.
Lumagui issued the warning following the arrest of a syndicate on April 12 that allegedly extorted P3.6 million from a taxpayer by promising to “fix” their tax problems.
The syndicate members, all private citizens, claimed to have connections with high-ranking BIR officials. They used forged signatures of the top BIR officials including the commissioner and deputy commissioners.
“The arrest of this syndicate of fixers serves as a reminder to all taxpayers to avoid dealing with these groups and to always verify the authority of any person in dealing with your tax obligations,” said Lumagui.
“We urge the public to report such individuals or groups to the BIR. We will help you entrap and arrest them,” he said.
The fixers allegedly used acknowledgment receipts with forged signatures for “processing of documents,” “extension of compliance with computerized accounting system” and “processing and fixation of transfer” between Revenue District Offices.
The BIR said these processes are already regulated and can be done within their offices. Taxpayers do not need fixers as the BIR has established guidelines through revenue memorandum circulars, revenue memorandum orders, and other regulations, it said.
Lumagui said that in February, a BIR employee was caught extorting a bike shop and arrested through an entrapment operation with the help of law enforcement agencies. He said that in May 2023, the agency also filed criminal charges against a BIR employee who tampered with sales machines to help a taxpayer evade taxes.
Lumagui said there is no place in the country for such criminals. He said the BIR is committed to working with other government agencies to apprehend, prosecute and jail these individuals.