BIR ready to take over some of Customs' functions

MANILA -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue is amenable to accepting some of the functions of the Bureau of Customs, as proposed earlier by Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima. "We're willing to help in anyway we can, we will just follow whatever instructions are given to us," BIR Commissioner Kim Henares told ANC Headstart. She explained her agency's system can also be used to differentiate between the legitimate importers and illegal firms. Moreover, additional budget required to do the additional task will be minimal, she noted. "The accreditation--we're already doing that, giving tax clearances to government bidders... so it's not a real problem. And it's easy because 80% of what Customs collects are really internal revenue taxes," Henares said. "[As for the] post-entry audit, we normally audit taxpayers, so we will just include it in the audit," she continued. Purisima last week said the Finance department is studying the transfer of the Customs bureau's port accreditation and post-audit functions to the BIR. This is being planned to curb smuggling in the Bureau of Customs.