Makati Revenue Regional Director Anselmo Adriano said the filing of ITRs will ensure that the document can be easily available when needed by the taxpayer such as when he applies for a loan with banks or a visa when traveling to a foreign country.

Adriano added that ITRs are also required when entering into government contracts for the supply of goods and services.

"The University of the Philippines and other state colleges and universities and selected schools of higher learning also require ITRs from parents of students seeking socialized or lower tuition fees," he said.

Under the substituted filing system, salaried workers are no longer required to file their returns as the job is taken over by their employers who are mandated by law to submit their employees’ returns in computer diskettes.

Adriano suggested to taxpayers with no-payment or exempt returns to also file their returns so they will not have a hard time entering into transactions requiring submission of ITRs.

The revenue official reminded individual and corporate taxpayers to file their returns now and not wait for the April 15 deadline to avoid confusion and hassles that occur during the last-minute rush.

He reiterated the April 15 deadline will not be extended and penalties will be imposed for late filers.

Meanwhile, as part of its tax information drive, Adriano said his office has enlisted the support of barangay chairmen not only in Makati City but in other cities and towns of the region like Pasay, Parañaque, Taguig, Pateros, Muntinlupa, and Las Piñas.

He said barangay officials will be requested to put up streamers in their villages and distribute flyers as the April 15 deadline nears.

Adriano also announced that the Makati regional office surpassed its collection target for March when it raised a total of R3.6 billion, R238 million more than its target of R3.4 billion.

He said the substantial surplus has narrowed the collection deficit obtained in the first two months of the year.