PIA-10 News

BIR accepts optional filing of Annual Information Return
by Elaine O. Ratunil

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Mar. 11 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue will allow the filing of the Annual Information Return (AIR) or BIR Form No. 1705 on an optional or voluntary basis, at least for taxable year 2010.

This statement came from Regional Director Esmeralda M. Tabule of BIR Revenue Region No. 16 (RR 16) who reiterated the latest pronouncement of Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares on filing of AIR.

Tabule said the BIR through the Commissioner Henares will issue another Revenue Regulation to effect the said decision which was announced during the Large Taxpayers Service 2011 Tax Campaign Kick-off, recently.

Allowing the filing of the AIR on a voluntary basis for taxable year 2010, will give affected taxpayers time to acquaint themselves with the new requirement and see how they can effectively comply.

This will also allow the BIR to monitor its implementation on a pilot basis and make the necessary adjustments where needed.

However, Tabule clarified that the filing of the AIR will be mandatory starting taxable year 2011.

Meanwhile, she said the deadline for filing is April 15 each year for those filing the ITR or Income Tax Returns (BIR Form No. 1700 or 1701) as well as the AIR and May 15 each year for those filing the AIR only.

Those filing their returns electronically shall, in the meantime, submit in hard copies the e-filed ITR and the AIR within ten (10) days from the filing of the electronic return until such time that electronic filing of the AIR becomes available. (PIA-10)


BIR RR16 clarifies Revenue Regulations 2-2011 by Elaine O. Ratunil

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Mar. 11 (PIA) – Pure compensation income earners who derive income from two or more employers are required to file an Income tax Return (ITR), together with the Annual Information Return (AIR).

This clarifications was given by Regional Director Esmeralda M. Tabule of the Bureau of

Internal Revenue, Revenue Region 16 (BIR-RR16) on Revenue Regulations 2-2011 issued by the bureau, recently.

Tabule said RR 2-2011 addresses the issue on the non-inclusion in the list of top individual taxpayers of famous and wealthy personalities, many of whom earn income which are either subject to final withholding tax or exempt from tax.

Another issue it tackles is the impending government requirement of Income Tax Returns as basis for the granting of loans, licenses, franchises, and the like.

Under RR 2-2011, individuals, estates and trusts required by law to file an Income ITR should file the said tax return together with the AIR and that the AIR shall include income subjected to final withholding tax and exclusions from gross income.

Individuals who are not required to file a tax return or those qualified for substituted filing may, however, file a tax return for loan, travel and other purposes, in which case, they should also file the AIR.

Others not required to file an ITR but are required under the regulations to file an AIR only are the following:

Pure compensation income earners whose annual taxable income derived from within the Philippines exceeds Php500,000 in taxes and on which income the correct income tax has been correctly withheld.

Individuals, estates and trusts whose sole income has been subjected to final withholding tax in excess of P125,000, annually, whether remitted or not to the BIR and individuals whose sole income is exempt, where the aggregate amount exceeds P500,000, annually.

However, pure compensation income earners who derive income from two or more employers are required to file an ITR together with the AIR, Tabule added. (PIA-10)


Lanao del Norte LGU hosts tennis workshop

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, Mar. 11 (PIA) – Lanao del Norte (LDN) is becoming the preferred destination of several spectator sports in Mindanao.

“Tennis is one of the most popular sports in the province with numerous tournaments being held here, every year, so we have thought of coming up with a program to promote it,” Gov. Khalid Q. Dimaporo said.

Thus, the highly anticipated “Recreational Coaches Workshop” was sponsored by LDN last March 8-10, 2011, at the Mindanao Civic Center (MCC) Tennis Court, in Sagadan, Tubod, this province.

The event was also made possible thru the efforts of Jean Henri Lhuillier, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cebuana Lhuillier, who is an avid supporter of the sport.

Facilitated by American Ted Sayrahder, a Pro 1 Workshop Instructor of the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), the 3-day training was organized by the provincial government for tennis coaches.

Sayrahde, who began to play tennis during his early years in the US Air Force, is presently, one of the most effective and popular tennis coaches in US.

“This workshop will help you begin to think like a teacher and develop group management skills but the core message is to have fun and play to learn,” he said.

He also qualified what a good tennis teacher or coach can do to ensure a positive first experience and provide a strong foundation for playing the sport, some of which are:

“A good coach talks less but demonstrates more and makes his players feel that it’s fun to play the sport.

A good coach must possess patience, perseverance, ample knowledge and skills and knows how to motivate his players to achieve the purpose and objective of the learning process.”

The first day of the workshop was open to the public with more than 90 coaches attending during which demonstrations on the different types of warm up activities were taught.

Meanwhile, the participants who were also classified as Class A players came from the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Pagadian, Ozamiz, and Iligan and some were Physical Education (PE) Instructors from the Lanao del Norte Schools Divison of the Dept. Of Education (DepEd).

Advance tennis techniques and exercises were taught to the participants during succeeding days of the workshop. (LAR-PIO/LDN/PIA-10)


Do good to your fellowmen – 4ID Chaplain tells troops

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Mar. 11 (PIA) – The 4th Infantry Division (4ID), Philippine Army, joins the rest of the world in commemorating this year’s lenten season.

The observance of lent is a tradition, we, Filipinos had kept and cherished throughout all these years,” Maj. Gen. Victor A. Felix, 4ID Commanding General, said.

“We respect all beliefs and will take part in any religious celebration since these traditions and customs are part of the lives of our people and soldiers, as well,” Felix said.

To start with, a procession headed by Maj. Leonides C. Cruel Jr. took place last March 11, inside Camp Evangelista, Patag, this city, followed by a holy mass on Ash Wednesday in the afternoon inside the Camp’s St. Ignatius de Loyola Chapel.

The activity was participated in by the men and women, both civilian and uniformed personnel, of the division.

The 4ID Chaplain reminded everyone during the mass that the ash cross on the forehead is to remind us all that “from dust we shall return to dust,” so we should make the most of the time we have by doing good to our fellowmen.

For his part, Maj. Eugenio Julio C. Osias IV, 4ID Spokesperson and Commanding Officer of the 4th Civil Military Operations (Kasaligan) Battalion, said that the religious activity is part of each soldier’s life.

“We take part with the rest of the world in celebrating the Lenten season, yearly, to give out the message of peace and hope to each and everyone,” Osias added. (4CMO/PIA-10)