The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has asked vape merchants to register their business to avoid serious consequences in the future.
BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. said criminal charges for tax evasion will be filed against those who will not comply with the revenue regulations on the trade.
The BIR earlier filed tax evasion cases worth more than P1 billion against five major importers and distributors of vapes before the Department of Justice.
Vape products include vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine, novel tobacco and their devices. They are available in various e-market platforms and social media websites.
Revenue Regulations No.14-2022, stipulates that first time offenders are liable to be fined P2 million and send to jail up to two years.
For the second offense, the penalties are P4 million fine and imprisonment of up to four years; and P5 million fine and a jail term of six years await the third offender.
If the violator is a foreign national, he would face immediate deportation after serving the jail term.