Source: Public Relations and Information Department

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Congress to establish school for tax collectors
04 November 2009 08:56:48 AM
Writer: Abigail Modino, MRS-PRIB

A lawmaker today filed a bill creating a tax academy to train tax collectors and improve tax collection efficiency in the country.

Rep. Exequiel B. Javier, (Lone District, Antique), principal author of House Bill 6881, said the measure seeks to establish a tax school to serve as a learning institution for tax collectors and administrators in government and selected applicants from the private sector.

Javier, chair of the House committee on ways and means, said the proposed Tax Academy is designed to train, mold, enhance and develop tax collectors and administrators and help them improve their tax collection efficiency.

"The academy will be similar to the local executive academy, judicial academy, and tourism academy which have been established already," Javier said.

Javier said tax collectors and administrators should be equipped with the requisite knowledge, training, skills and expertise including moral fitness and work ethics, in the performance of their duties.

"The measure recognizes the vital role of taxpayers' information and education to facilitate compliance with tax laws and regulations and revenue generation efforts," Javier said.

"The creation of the Tax Academy of the Philippines will follow the directions of neighboring countries in Asia which have greatly benefited from the creation of their respective tax academies," Javier added.

Under the bill, the Tax Academy shall be staffed by a corps of professional instructors with sufficient knowledge, education, training and actual experience in taxation, public finance and revenue administration.

The measure shall allow the Tax Academy to enter into agreements with the University of the Philippines, public and private universities and training institutions for the development and implementation of its curriculum, career development and continuing education in tax collection, auditing, administration and compliance.

The Academy shall have a Board of Trustees as its governing board with a representative from the Department of Finance as ex-officio chairman, and a Senior Deputy Commissioner of Internal Revenue as ex-officio vice-chairman. It also includes three representatives from the academe with at least five years of teaching experience from a reputable school.