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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider BIR steps up monitoring of vape sellers after major tax evasion case

BIR steps up monitoring of vape sellers after major tax evasion case

Published Feb 26, 2024 02:05 am

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said it is now closely monitoring the vape industry following a successful enforcement action against a “big-fish” for tax evasion.

BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. said the agency had won the case against vape seller Tap Fog and its conspirator before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for an alleged tax liability of P1.2 billion.

"This is a testament to our promise that after the execution of raids, cases will be filed. In the case of Tap Fog, a big-fish vape seller, the courts have already ordered the issuance of warrants of arrests,” Lumagui said in statement on Monday, Feb. 26.

The BIR reported that the criminal information was filed with both the Court of Tax Appeals and the Metropolitan Trial Court.

“Both courts have already ordered the issuance of warrants of arrest against the Tap Fog group,” the bureau said.

The vape company is facing charges for offenses such as unlawful possession or removal of articles subject to excise tax. 

It is also charged with selling heated tobacco and vapor products below the required taxes and using false stamps or labels on their products. 

Additionally, the company is accused of attempting to evade taxes willfully and failing to pay taxes as required by law. 

“The BIR is closely monitoring the vape industry. Comply with the registration and taxation requirements under our laws,” Lumagui said.

“The vape industry is already a regulated industry, the BIR has already established a system for the proper registration and payment for this purpose,” the agency added.

Legal actions were instigated as a result of raids conducted by the BIR in November 2022, where unregistered vape products, functioning as cigarette alternatives, were seized.

Related Tags

Bureau of Internal Revenue Flava Corporation vape products
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