BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. has filed 23 tax evasion complaints before the DOJ, targeting corporations and individuals accused of using ghost receipts to evade over ₱1.41 billion in taxes.

In a firm statement, Lumagui revealed that 56 company officers and 17 Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) were among those charged, linked to 23 corporations allegedly involved in the illegal issuance or use of fake receipts to understate tax liabilities.

The move comes as part of BIR’s intensified crackdown on fraudulent accounting practices. Lumagui emphasized that both small and large firms have already been held accountable, citing victories against well-known brands such as Ever Bilena and World Balance in previous DOJ cases.

Ghost receipts—fake documents used to inflate company expenses—are a long-running tactic in tax evasion schemes. The BIR warns that it will not relent in its campaign, targeting both companies and professionals who facilitate or turn a blind eye to such practices.

The cases are part of the BIR’s larger campaign against syndicated tax evasion schemes that undermine revenue collection and honest competition in the market. Lumagui reiterated that the bureau will continue going after entities using these fraudulent methods, emphasizing that accountability is a must in the tax system.

The ₱1.41 billion deficiency marks one of the more substantial rounds of cases in the bureau’s ongoing anti-tax fraud initiative.

No official statements have been released yet by the companies involved at the time of writing.

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