BIR files tax evasion case vs wife of Kapa ministry founder

Bir Deputy Commissioner Marissa Cabreros and BIR Assistant Commissioner James Roldan announce on Thursday, Aug. 29, the filing of a tax evasion case against Reyna Apolinario, the corporate secretary of Kapa Community Ministry International Inc. She is also the wife of Kapa founder Joel Apolinario. /Moira Encina/Eagle News/

(Eagle News)–The Bureau of Internal Revenue has filed a tax evasion case against the corporate secretary of Kapa Community Ministry International Inc.

The charges against Reyna Lobitana Apolinario, also the wife of Kapa head pastor and founder Joel Apolinario, that were filed before the Department of Justice stem from her alleged willful attempt to evade or defeat tax, failure to file returns, supply  correct and accurate information, pay taxes, withhold and remit taxes and refund excess taxes withheld on compensation for taxable years 2017 to 2018.

The BIR pegged her total income tax liability to P168.2 million.

According to the BIR, based on its investigation, Apolinario filed an   ITR for taxable year 2016, and declared an  income of only P 20657800, and an income of P117110000 and P12.06 million, respectively, for taxable years 2017 and 2018.

However, the BIR said in 2018, the beginning capital in her declared audited  financial statements ballooned to P306.90 million.

“Considering the previous income declarations and payments of (Apolinario), this points to undeclared sources of income amounting to P307.70 million for taxable year 2017, which includes cash (P140 M), luxury vehicles (P27.60 M), heavy equipment (P65.70 M), real properties (P45.10 M), and other assets/investments,” the BIR said.

The BIR added a list provided by the Land Transportation Office showed that nine vehicles  were registered under her name but these were not declared in her financial statements submitted to the BIR in 2017 and 2018.

The BIR Integrated Tax System also showed that she has thirteen businesses under her name which were not declared, the BIR said.

“As a result of her acts and omissions, (she) was sued for an estimated total income  tax liability amounting to P168.2 million, inclusive of surcharges and interests broken down into: 2017-P163.9 million: and 2018 P4.3 million,” the BIR said.

The case is the 497th filed under the Run After Tax Evaders program of the BIR under BIR Commissioner  Caesar Dulay.