MANILA -- Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair Sherwin Gatchalian urged the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to clarify its rules on using invoices instead of official receipts.

Under the government's Ease of Paying Taxes Act, all taxpayers using manual official receipts will have to start issuing valid invoices. 

Those who have unused official receipts may convert these to invoices by striking out the words "official receipt," then stamping these documents with the word "invoice.

Those who fail to comply with this can face a severe fine or even imprisonment. 

The new rule took effect on April 27, but the deadline to report the inventory of unused receipts is set for May 27.

"Enterprises must be allowed to use all of their existing OR booklets without expiration," Gatchalian said in a statement. 

The lawmaker added, "All applications and communications with the BIR should be conducted through online channels, and taxpayers should not be required to visit BIR branches in person."

A tax expert had earlier said the BIR should address the public's concerns about the new rule, and make sure that it really simplifies the taxpaying process.

BIR urged to address concerns on issuing invoices

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