The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) attributed its success in meeting its 2024 collection target, the first time in 20 years, largely to its crackdown on the use of ghost receipts through the Run After Fake Transactions (RAFT) task force. The agency created the task force in 2023.
“The BIR’s fight against Ghost Receipts will set the standard for corporate accountability, for financial integrity,” BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said.
“The BIR will imprison corporate executives of big businesses involved in Ghost Receipts. We have proven that, and we will continue doing the same. This is not merely a matter of audit. This is already a matter of imprisonment,” he said.
Top News Asia magazine honored Lumagui as one of its “Men of the Year,” featuring him on the cover of its April 2025 issue alongside other high-ranking government officials. A separate article in the magazine also highlighted the success of the RAFT task force, the BIR’s nationwide crackdown against ghost receipts.
“The BIR is grateful for the recognition given by Top News Asia magazine. All credit goes to the men and women of the BIR,” Lumagui said.
“As long as we follow our pillars of good governance, we will continue to meet our objectives. Of particular importance is our nationwide crackdown on Ghost Receipts. Gone are the days when big businesses use fabricated receipts in their tax returns. In the words of TNA magazine, this is a turning point for corporate accountability,” he said.
The BIR said its success was largely attributable to increased tax compliance by corporations due to the “chilling effect” of the RAFT Task Force. The agency said corporations are now afraid of using ghost receipts because they will be audited.
The BIR said it is set to file criminal cases for tax evasion against violators. In recent weeks, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has ruled in favor of cases filed by the BIR against users of ghost receipts.
The same cases have been filed in the courts, which ultimately will issue warrants of arrest against the responsible corporate officers. A major government contractor and a large cosmetic company have already been charged before the courts, and warrants of arrest will be subsequently issued for their use of ghost receipts, it said.
