Tax bureau destroys Illicit vape products
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) destroyed P1.34 billion worth of illicit vape products seized for tax violations.Summary
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) began destroying 448,494 units of illicit vape products on Monday, representing an estimated tax liability of P1.34 billion. These products were seized due to non-payment of excise taxes, lack of required tax stamps, and failure to register with the BIR. Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza emphasized the government’s intolerance of the sale of untaxed vape products, highlighting the dual purpose of excise taxes: revenue generation and consumption regulation, particularly among young people. The BIR also expressed concerns about the safety of unstamped and unregulated vape products, as their contents and safety cannot be verified. The destruction process, conducted in accordance with the Tax Code, was coordinated with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to ensure adherence to environmental standards. The BIR anticipates increased enforcement efforts in the coming year and encourages consumers to report the sale of illicit vape products. The BIR also expects to collect P3.1 trillion in revenues this year, below the initial target of P3.219 trillion, due to economic headwinds and spending slowdowns.
(Source：The Manila Times)
