BUREAU of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. warned the passers of the May 2023 Licensure for Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) of the pitfalls if they use fake and/or “ghost receipts” in the exercise of their profession.
This comes after Lumagui filed a criminal case for tax evasion with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and a revocation of license with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) against a CPA the BIR accused of being involved in a fake/ghost receipts syndicate, the bureau’s statement read.
The BIR statement issued last Tuesday said the same CPA—which the bureau didn’t name—also lost her accreditation with the BIR after the agency revoked the same because of her involvement in the said syndicate.
“As the Filipino community welcomes you into the practice of your profession, remember the values and ethical standards befitting your stature in our society,” Lumagui was quoted in the statement as saying. “The CPA involved in the fake/ghost receipts syndicate is now facing a criminal case with the DOJ and a revocation of her license with the PRC. The BIR also removed her accreditation.”
The BIR added that Lumagui created the National Task Force-Run After Fake Transactions for the purpose of stopping the decades long practice of taxpayers buying receipts in order for them to evade taxes. He has filed criminal and administrative cases against sellers and CPAs involved.
Buyers are currently being made to explain their transactions with these sellers, the BIR said. Failure to do so would result into payment of deficiency taxes and a criminal case for tax evasion.
“Buyers of fake/ghost receipts have to explain their transactions with the sellers who are part of this syndicate. All concerns should be raised to the BIR. Failure to explain these transactions will result into the filing of criminal cases for tax evasion against all corporate officers,” the BIR statement read.