How to Verify My Income Tax Return (ITR)

Dear Attorney,

I have recently filed my Income Tax Return (ITR) but want to ensure that it has been properly submitted and verified by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). Could you guide me on the steps or procedures to verify if my ITR has been received and processed successfully? I want to make sure that I comply with all legal requirements and avoid any potential issues with my tax filings.

Sincerely,
A Concerned Taxpayer

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Insights

Verifying whether your Income Tax Return (ITR) has been successfully filed and processed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is a crucial step to avoid potential penalties or issues with non-compliance. The BIR, as the national tax authority in the Philippines, offers several methods for verifying your ITR. Below are the key steps and procedures to follow:

1. Check Your Filing Receipt Upon filing your ITR, whether online or at a BIR office, you should receive an official receipt or acknowledgment. For electronic filing, this is typically an email confirmation with an attached electronic filing reference number (e.g., an eFPS confirmation for those using the BIR's Electronic Filing and Payment System). For manual filing, ensure that you retain the stamped BIR form with the date and time of submission. This document serves as initial proof of submission.

2. Electronic Filing Verification (eFPS/eBIRForms) If you used the BIR’s Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS) or the eBIRForms system, you can verify your ITR submission by checking the status online. Log in to your eFPS or eBIRForms account, and you should find a history of your tax filings. Look for the submission date and reference number to confirm that the ITR has been filed.

3. Confirmation from the BIR You can also verify the status of your ITR by contacting your Revenue District Office (RDO). Provide your TIN (Tax Identification Number) and relevant details about your tax filing. The BIR staff can cross-check their records to confirm whether your ITR has been processed or if there are any issues that need to be addressed. Some taxpayers also opt to visit their RDO in person for this purpose.

4. BIR Portal Access For additional peace of mind, you may access the BIR's online portal or app, which provides services for tracking the status of tax payments and filings. Make sure that you use your registered TIN and account credentials to log in.

5. Follow-Up for Non-receipt of Confirmation If you do not receive any confirmation of your ITR filing within a reasonable time (usually a few days for eFPS and a few weeks for manual filing), it is prudent to follow up directly with your RDO or send an inquiry via email to the BIR. Include your TIN, details of the submission, and any reference numbers.

6. Potential Issues to Look Out For There may be instances where ITR filings fail to go through due to technical errors (especially in eFPS or eBIRForms), incomplete submissions, or discrepancies in the information provided. If the BIR identifies any issues with your submission, they may reach out to you for clarification or correction. Failure to respond to such notices in a timely manner can lead to penalties or further scrutiny.

7. Proof of Compliance It is critical to retain all receipts, confirmation emails, and filing acknowledgments for future reference. These documents will serve as evidence of your compliance with tax regulations should the BIR question your ITR at a later date or in case of an audit.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your Income Tax Return has been properly filed and verified. It is always advisable to be proactive in this process to avoid any misunderstandings or issues with tax authorities.