MANILA — Actor Richard Gutierrez on Thursday filed a counter–affidavit before the Department of Justice in connection with the tax evasion complaint filed by Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) against Gutierrez and his production company for allegedly owing the government of nearly PHP38.57 million in unpaid taxes.
Gutierrez denied the allegations as he personally submitted his counter-affidavit in DOJ on Thursday seeking the dismissal of the complaint about lack of probable cause.
“As far as I am concerned, my company has filed and paid the proper taxes to the government,” Gutierrez told reporters.
His lawyers said they have attached in the counter-affidavit a duly-stamped 2012 Income Tax Return (ITR) to prove that there is no failure to file an ITR or that there was an underdeclaration of taxes paid.
Based on the complaint filed by BIR last April, Gutierrez and his production company, R Gutz Production Corporation, where he sits as president, faces two counts of willful attempt to evade or defeat the payment of income tax (IT) and Value Added Tax covering taxable 2012 and for deliberate failure to file ITR for taxable year 2012.
“As a consequence of their acts and omissions, R Gutz and its president, Richard Gutierrez, were assessed an estimated aggregate deficiency tax liability for taxable year 2012 in the total amount of PHP38.57 million, including surcharges and interest, broken down into IT — PHP27.45 million; and VAT — PHP11.12 million,” the BIR said.
Gutierrez and his company declared PHP311,111 in sales in 2012. However, their clients said they bought PHP39.9 million from the entertainment firm during the same period, based on a list of purchases.
The R Gutz is a domestic corporation registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission with registered business address at No. 53-C Anapolis Street, San Juan City. It is engaged in the business of production, processing and marketing of telemovies, telesine, movies recordings, television shows and other forms of entertainment — events, sports promotion of talents, television, and live shows for local and international consumption. with Monica B. Guevarra-OJT/PNA