Taxing online sellers not a new policy — Palace

The policy of requiring online sellers to register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and pay taxes started during the Aquino administration, Malacañang said Monday.

In a televised briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the Duterte administration is only implementing the policy that was crafted during the term of BIR Commissioner Kim Henares.

“Ipinatutupad lang po natin ang instruction at isang batas na pinasimulan ni Presidente Noynoy Aquino,” Roque said.

BIR records show that Henares issued Revenue Memorandum Circular 55-2013 in August 2013, which reminded parties in online business transactions of their tax obligations. The 2013 circular also stated that any person engaged in internet commerce who fails to comply with applicable tax laws, rules and regulations will be penalized.

Some senators have slammed the latest move of the BIR, claiming it was ill-timed and insensitive amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri on Sunday proposed instead to impose heavy taxes on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

Last Friday, the Department of finance clarified that the current BIR memorandum requiring those into digital transactions to register and declare past transactions was not meant to squeeze money out of online sellers’ incomes.

Roque reiterated that online sellers earning P250,000 and below annually are exempted from paying taxes. — RSJ, GMA News