BIR chases billions from online sellers

Uncollected taxes from online businesses may have already reached billions of pesos, according to the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

- By MARCO LUIS BEECH

BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said the agency is intensifying efforts to monitor online sales and coordinate with digital platforms to ensure compliance with tax laws and prevent further revenue losses.

“What we can say for certain is that online transactions have grown significantly, which is why we really need to concentrate our efforts on closely monitoring online sales and activities,” he told The STAR.

The BIR issued a revenue memorandum circular last year, ordering electronic marketplace operators to impose a one-percent withholding tax on their sellers and merchants.