One of the world’s richest athletes, boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, is fighting out of the ring with the Bureau of Internal Revenue whose head, Kim Henares, says that “Filipinos generating income abroad] have to report and show proof that taxes had been paid.” INQUIRER AND AP FILE PHOTOS
MANILA, Philippines—Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares warned boxing champion Manny Pacquiao to pay them so they don’t have to go to the next point which is the filing of tax evasion complaint.
“Please pay us…so we don’t have to go to the next decision point,” Henares said at a press conference Thursday.
While Henares refused to comment on whether they will file a case against Pacquiao, BIR Deputy Commissioner Estela Sales said they were studying that option.
Still, Henares said they have not filed a tax evasion complaint against Pacquiao even if they are collecting a total of P2.2 billion in tax liabilities.
She said they have given the boxing champ two years to submit all the documents that they have been asking to prove that he has paid proper taxes but Pacquiao failed to do so.
“Out of respect for him, we have given him two years to submit his proof. He said the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) does not issue a certified true copy and Bob Arum said it will take them three months before they can acquire such documents but we have given them two years,” Henares said.
The BIR is running after Pacquiao for his 2009 income. Henares said Pacquiao did not declare any income earned in the US in 2009, despite winning against Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto that year.
Henares added that Pacquiao underdeclared his income in the Philippines despite his shows and endorsements in the country.
“When you misdeclared your income, there is already a violation,” Henares said.
BIR records showed that Pacquiao was the top taxpayer in 2008 for having paid P125 million. However, in 2009, he was only the 113th top tax payer for paying only P7.4 million.
“Lahat na ng leeway binigay namin pero kami pa ang masama (We’ve given him all leeway but it now looks like we’re the villains),” Henares lamented.
Once tax liability is paid, Henares said the warrants of distraint and levy will be lifted
She added that instead of complaining, Pacquiao should appreciate the Bureau of Internal Revenue for the leeway it had given him
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