MANILA, Philippines -- Banks authorized by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to accept tax payments will be extending their banking hours up to 5 p.m. from April 1 to April 15 to accommodate more taxpayers filing their 2010 income tax returns (ITRs).

Revenue Deputy Commissioner for Operations Nelson M. Aspe made the announcement yesterday in behalf of BIR Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto Henares who is in London on official mission.

Aspe said the BIR, the authorized agent Banks (AABs), and the Bureau of Treasury have earlier signed a memorandum of agreement extending banking hours from 3 p.m. top 5 p.m. during the tax filing season.

Likewise, he said AABs are mandated to be in operations for two Saturdays immediately prior to April 15, the deadline in the submission of 2010 ITRs.

He said, however, banks will open today in lieu of the coming Saturday (April 9) which is a holiday in observance of the "Araw ng Kagitigan" celebration.

For the two-week period, banks will be fielding more personnel and opening additional counters to effectively service taxpayers.

Aspe advised taxpayers with "no-payment," to file their ITRs with the revenue district office which has jurisdiction over their residence, or place of work, or business.

"Banks will only accept and process ITRs with payments," he stressed.

Henares has earlier instructed regional directors and district offices nationwide to set up tax filing booths outside their offices preferably in areas frequented by people like shopping malls, city and municipal halls to make it easier for taxpayers to file their returns.