How to Get Your ITR Stamped as True Copy (in Cebu City)

By Mustachio @mustachio2011
We all want things to be free and easy. Applying for a visa to Korea for trips of less than 59 days is free. (Yay!) And the list of requirements for applicants who are employees is short and simple enough. (Double yay!) But, alas, when you're applying in the consulate in Cebu, you don't simply hand the consulate staff a copy of your ITR—unless it has been stamped and certified by BIR as a true copy. (Well, you can, but the consulate staff will hand it back to you and will not accept your application!)
Since I work for a company that falls under the Large Taxpayers Division (LTD) of BIR, it wasn't as simple as popping by the BIR office and flashing them my ITR. I had to prepare some documents and go to two different BIR offices.
If you, like me, work for a company that's under the LTD of BIR, here's what you need to do:

Prepare the following:
  • Copy of ITR that you want certified
  • Request letter signed by you and your company HR or your manager
  • Copy of your ID
  • Php 115 in exact amount (Php100 for certification fee and Php15 documentary stamp)

And then get your butt to the BIR offices:
  1. Go to the BIR Regional Office Building and get a priority number for the Cashier/Window 12.
  2. Give the cashier your ITR copy and pay the certification fee and documentary stamp fee (total of  Php115). The cashier will give you a receipt with the documentary stamp attached.
  3. Go to the BIR Large Taxpayers Division Office (a 10-minute walk from the Regional Office).
  4. Present your request letter, photocopy of your ID, copy of ITR that you want certified, certification fee receipt with attached documentary stamp. The BIR staff will verify your ITR, stamp and sign it, and stick the documentary stamp on it.
If you work for a company that does not fall under the Large Taxpayers Division of BIR, you only need to go to the BIR Regional Office Building for the certification. Please inquire from BIR for the exact process.
BIR Regional Office Building
Archbishop Reyes Avenue, Cebu City
(032) 231 1593
BIR Large Taxpayers Division Office (BIR LTDO)
8th Floor Pag-Ibig Fund – WT Corporate Tower
Mindanao Avenue, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City
(032) 233 9820