BIR increases 2019 revenue target

despite missing 2018 goal

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 1) — Despite failing to reach its
2018 collection goal, the country's tax agency increased its revenue target
for this year.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Friday said it wants to collect

₱2.33 trillion this 2019--14 percent higher than last year's goal of ₱2.04
trillion.

While the agency is hopeful about hitting the full-year collection target, BIR
Commissioner Cesar Dulay admitted it will be difficult.

"It's difficult but the difficulty will not stop us from exerting all out efforts to
go for the goal," Dulay said at the agency's 2019 tax campaign kick-off.

The commissioner said the agency will intensify campaigns like Oplan
Kandado, where the BIR shuts down delinquent businesses, and running
after tax evaders.

BIR, in a report to the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday,

said it raised ₱1.961 trillion in 2018, missing its ₱2.044-trillion full-year
target by 4.01 percent.

It attributed the deficit to lower collection from excise taxes and value
added taxes, which are both included in the Tax Reform for Acceleration
and Inclusion law.

Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez still praised the BIR's performance,

saying he remained "confident" that the agency will achieve a higher
collection rate in 2019.

"Through 2018, the bureau's collection reached ₱1.96 trillion or 10.15

percent higher than the 2017 collection," Dominguez said. "This year, even
if the goals are set higher, I am confident the Bureau will achieve a higher
attainment rate."