BIR Files Tax Evasion Complaint Against Rappler
The local media news outlet Rappler is now facing a tax evasion complaint filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenues (BIR).
On Thursday (March 08, 2018), BIR has filed tax evasion charges against Rappler’s President Maria Ressa, treasurer James Bitang, and the company’s Holding Corporation.
The personalities involved in the case were also accused of spreading alleged false information regarding the annual tax return of the company way back in 2015.
Rappler allegedly failed to file its income tax and value-added tax that it has gained from Philippine Depositary Receipts transactions, according to the BIR.
BIR revealed that Rappler Holdings Corp bought common shares worth P19.2 million on different dates. The controversial news site allegedly sold PDRs amounting P181.7 million to two foreign entities.
“As a consequence of its acts and omissions, the aggregate tax liability of [Rappler] amounted to P133,841,305.75 broken down as follows IT — P91,320,481.08; and VAT — P42,520,824.67,” BIR said quoted by Philstar.
The Bureau explained that Rappler allegedly violated the Rappler violated Sections 253(d) and 256 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.
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