Taxpayers line up to file their Annual Income Tax Return (AITR) at Bureau of Internal Revenue office in Intramuros, Manila on April 17, 2023.  Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file

Most Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) offices in the country opened their doors to the public on Saturday ahead of the deadline for the filing of annual income tax returns on April 15, 2024.

Happie Viego, an officer at the Revenue District Office 29 in Manila said, they anticipate many taxpayers to come Saturday, despite it being a weekend, because of the scheduled jeepney strike next week.

“Kasi 'di ba sa news, meron ding tigil-pasada. Para naman hindi masyadong mahirapan yung taxpayer, open din kami ngayong weekend to accommodate them,” said Viego.

(As announced in the news, there will be a jeepney strike. So that our taxpayers will not have a hard time, we remained open this weekend to accommodate them.)

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The nationwide jeepney strike is also the reason why 66-year-old Teresa Dimalanta decided to file her ITR for taxable year 2023 this Saturday.

“Kasi sa Lunes merong ano eh, yung ano ng jeep, mahirap sumakay,” she said.

(Because on Monday, there won’t be any jeepneys around, it will be hard to catch a ride.)

Viego said taxpayers also have a more convenient option of filing their AITR online through the eBIRForms or eFPS which are downloadable from the BIR website. 

She added that taxpayers will receive an online confirmation upon submission so they also do not need to go the BIR office for a stamp.

“Gagawa ka ng account tapos once you have the account na for the taxpayer, ia-upload niyo na lang isa-isa yung financial statements and other attachments para doon sa ITR. Once na mag-submit ka doon, may confirmation na yun. Good as filed na talaga siya,” she said.

(You will create an account. Once you have an account already as a taxpayer, you will just have to upload one-by-one your financial statements and other attachments for the ITR. Once you submit it there, you will also receive a confirmation. That’s considered good as filed.)

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To avoid the long queue for the manual filing, Cheryl Salazar opted to try filing her ITR at the BIR’s E-Lounge where she was assisted by a BIR personnel. She also brought her own son and nephew to help her out.

“Inask ko lang yung help ng anak ko tsaka nung pamangkin ko, mas techy sila. Since naman bakasyon muna nila,” said Salazar.

(I asked the help of my son and nephew because they are more techy. It works that they are on vacation from school now.)

Meanwhile, income tax payments can also be done electronically through electronic payment (ePAy) platforms or manually through Authorized Agent Banks.

BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. earlier said that there will no longer be an extension for the filing of annual ITR. He also warned the public against late filing.

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“Iwasan na po natin yung pag-late filing dahil po may kaukulang penalties po yan,” he said.

(Let’s avoid late filing because this will result in penalties.)

Penalties include additional surcharge, interest, and compromise fees.