MANILA — The Bureau of Internal Revenue is open to extending the May 27 deadline for the submission of inventory for unused official receipts of value-added tax-registered persons and businesses, pursuant to the implementation of the Ease of Paying Taxes Act.

The inventory shall indicate the remaining number of unused booklets and their corresponding serial numbers.

“I-e-extend po natin…Nakita natin na marami po tayong taxpayers na pumupunta sa opisina at hindi pa nakakapag-comply. Kaya binibigyan pa natin sila ng panahon,” BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.

Under the law, instead of official receipt, a sales invoice is required for the sale of services, similar to the sale of goods, as rules on VAT treatment for both are harmonized. The threshold for issuing duly registered sales invoices increased to P500 from P100.

Taxpayers, however, may still use their remaining official receipts as invoice until December 31, 2024, if they submit an inventory not later than May 27. They will just have to strike through the phrase “Official Receipt” on the document and stamp the word “Invoice” before issuing it.

Asian Consulting Group’s Chief Tax Advisor Mon Abrea urged the government to extend the May 27 deadline for the submission of inventory.

“Kapag mayroon kang isandaang branches, bawat branch magsa-submit ng inventory report. So sana palawigin ‘yung deadline. Sana gawing online para hindi na mano-manong gagawin ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.

Some businesses also appealed for the extension of the December 31 validity of unused official receipts. The BIR Chief said the matter is under consideration by the agency.

“Pinag-aaralan natin, tinitingnan natin na wala na tayong gagawing deadline kundi hanggang maubos ang official receipts, para hindi naman masayang ang mga naimprentang official receipts. Basta sumunod lang sa guidelines na itinakda kung paano iko-convert itong official receipts na naimprenta natin to an invoice,” Lumagui explained.

“At least next year pa sana. Half year pa ng next year. Kasi syempre ‘yung cost pa ng pagpapa-print, tapos kung marami pa kayong unused,” Marie Fernandez, an accounting supervisor at a construction company said.

The BIR said the Ease of Paying Taxes Law benefits taxpayers by removing the P500 annual registration fee, reducing the income tax return pages for micro and small taxpayers, and allowing taxpayers to registers either electronically or manually.