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Friday, August 07, 2015

How to Enter Negative Values on the eBIRforms v5.0 [Tutorial]

Update 09/15/2015: eBIRforms version 5.1 is live! Download it here: http://ftp.pregi.net/bir/ebirforms_package_v5.1.zip

I've spent the better part of last weekend finding a way to enter negative values on BIR's eBIRforms and found no solutions posted online. Trying to input a number with the - minus sign, or the ) parentheses is simply not possible! I tried calling the BIR Hotline, but concerns regarding eFPS and eBIRforms can only be answered during regular business hours. I had no choice but to wait until then to call. I wasn't surprised that I was put on hold for almost half an hour before my call was even answered. To save you all that trouble, I'm writing this tutorial on how to input negative numbers on the eBIRforms v5.0.

Before we proceed, the disclaimers: I am not affiliated with the BIR nor am I a CPA. So I'm afraid I won't be of any help should you have other questions about eBIRforms. You are however still welcome to post in the comment section below, and let's hope someone would be able to provide an answer to your inquiry.

Moving on, first you need latest version of eBIRforms as of writing, that would be version 5.0. Download it HERE

Always make sure you're using the latest version of eBIRforms
STEPS:

  1. Open a word processor program. (Doesn't matter what program you use, you just need to be able to type the negative value you want to insert into the form).
  2. Enter the value with the - minus sign. (Do not use commas!)
  3. Copy the text. (Cut will work too, but with copy you don't have to retype the entire thing if something goes awry.)
  4. Paste the text onto the cell. Use CTRL+V. (Right clicking will not work!)
Below is a visual tutorial. Click photos to embiggen.

NOTE: I'll be using Item 35 of the 1701Q form. Since that's the form and the cell that I needed to input negative values in.

Here are samples of word processor programs that I tested this method on:



Google Docs
Notepad
Sticky Notes
This is how it would look like when you copy the negative value into the form:
Remember to use CTRL+V
Once you click outside of the cell, eBIRforms would automatically add the comma (if applicable) and perform proper the computations.
Negative value entered!
!!REMINDER!!
BIR Form 1701Q is due on the 15th of August!

Now you know how to enter negative values on the eBIRformsThat's all there is to it! It's a damn shame that I had to wait days before I was able to find out the solution to this issue. I hope the next version of the eBIRforms would enable taxpayers to input negative values without needing to resort to any workarounds. 

Please feel free to share this post. Please leave a comment below if it this post helped you. Thank you!

BIR CONTACT CENTER
Telephone: (02) 981 8888
Email: contact_us@cctr.bir.gov.ph