By DANNY O. SAGUNPIA-Pangasinan Infocenter

CALASIAO – The Bureau of Internal Revenue regional office here launched last Friday its eService and eLounge aimed at strengthening the bureau’s collection efficiency.

With the computerized tax system, taxpayers from the region can now access and avail of electronic services that include electronic filing and payment system (eFPS), eRegistration, electronic accreditation and registration, and data entry and validation and other electronic services, Regional Director Alfredo Balicanta, Jr. said.

The eFPS is web or Internet service that allows taxpayers paperless filing of tax returns and payment of taxes as well as submission of information needed by the bureau such as sales and purchases and other attachments. The system is available in the BIR portal https://my.bir.gov.ph.

The eREG is an expanded Etin, a web-based application system that enables taxpayers to register either as professionals, single proprietors, local employees, or mixed income earners and to conveniently secure TIN online.

Issuance of accreditation certificate and processing of Permits to Use Sales/Special Purpose machines were made easier thru eACCREG, while eRELIEF Data Entry/Validation Program is the electronic submission of quarterly sales/receipt and summary list of purchases.

The rollout of these eServices will bring the bureau closer to its goal of providing taxpayers excellent service while maximizing revenue generation, Balicanta said.

The eLounge is located at the ground floor of the BIR building and open to all taxpayers free of charge. The lounge, similar to an Internet café, will be transferred to its new site once a new P2.5 million building to be funded by Speaker Jose de Venecia is finished, it was gathered.

Commissioner Jose Mario C. Bunag, in his message read by his chief of staff, lawyer Cartherine Uy, thanked the taxpayers here for making Region 1 top in collections nationwide. He said that with such services, the bureau will increase its tax collection this year.

Revenue district office No. 4 head Joseph Catapia reported that Region 1 collected P4.4 billion last year, up by 25.51 percent or P897 million more than its target of P3.5 billion. Catapia also said that his district collected P895 million in 2005, way above its target of P752 million, or P143 million more than the district’s goal.