MANILA, Philippines – For too long, many business enterprises have had to suffer in silence over the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s Letters of Authority (LOAs), or what some lawmakers say is an “extortion scheme” by some BIR personnel. 

LOAs authorize BIR revenue officers to examine the books and records of a taxpayer. These are considered the starting point of any BIR audit or investigation.

Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito had described it as a shakedown of many local and foreign firms that even prompted a number of embassies to bring up the issue privately with select officials.

BIR Commissioner Charlito Mendoza told the Senate blue ribbon committee on Tuesday, February 10, that the tax bureau has filed cases against 25 BIR personnel, and is investigating 30 employees over alleged misuse of LOAs.

The BIR has also issued new guidelines wherein LOAs will now be limited to one letter per taxpayer per taxable year. LOAs will now also be system-generated to minimize human intervention.

Rappler’s business reporter Tatiana Maligro is sitting down with Rappler columnist and tax expert Mon Abrea of the Asian Consulting Group for an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session at 3 pm on Tuesday, February 17, to discuss this controversy, and we’re inviting everyone to join us.

To join the AMA:

1. Download the Rappler app for iOS or Android, and create a free account. The web version is also available here.
2. Tap the app’s Community tab and join the Front Page chat room.
3. Enter the Front Page chat room at 3 pm on Tuesday, and send your questions or thoughts there. A moderator will be steering the chat to guide everyone.
4. We will read your chat room messages during our livestream of the AMA, and Mon Abrea will respond on-air. Watch the livestream on this same page or head over to Rappler’s YouTube channel.

See you on February 17! – with reports from Tatiana Maligro/Rappler.com