GHOST RECEIPTS. Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. speaks at the Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime held on Sept. 5 in Cambridge, United Kingdom. Lumagui presented the BIR's efforts to combat ghost receipts. (Photo from BIR)
MANILA – Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. recently presented the BIR's initiatives against ghost receipts during the Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime (CIDOEC) in Cambridge, United Kingdom.
In a statement Friday, the BIR said Lumagui is the first Philippine government official to have been invited as speaker in the event held last Sept. 5.
"I am grateful to be the first Philippine government official to have been invited as a speaker in the Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime," Lumagui said.
"Our fight against Ghost Receipts, through the Run After Fake Transactions (RAFT) task force, has gained international recognition. This is the new standard of the BIR, we want an agency that is at par with international institutions," he added.
An example of a sophisticated tax evasion scheme is the use of ghost receipts.
Buyers of these receipts use it to lower their tax liabilities illegally because the sellers or issuers of such receipts do not have legitimate business activities.
The seller or issuers are merely companies that were created so their receipts can be used to pad the expenses of buyers.
Earlier this month, the BIR and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), committed to working hand-in-hand to run after criminals engaged in violations of tax and anti-money laundering laws.
"Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime has recognized our efforts in fighting economic crimes. The BIR has partnered with Ateneo to strengthen our RAFT task force," said Lumagui.
Lumagui said the BIR earlier achieved 100 percent nationwide ISO certification to professionalize its services.
"The BIR's involvement with internationally-acclaimed organizations such as Cambridge International Symposium, Ateneo, and ISO shows our commitment to being a professional agency with international standards," he said.
The CIDOEC is a forum for the discussion and analysis of issues related to economically motivated crime and misconduct and its prevention and control. (PNA)
