Buy-and-sell websites such as Sulit, AyosDito, Ensogo and eBay Philippines are all liable for tax evasion, according to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
“We will file cases against sellers who fail to issue receipts and pay taxes, but we will also file cases against the websites which provide such service,” BIR Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares said as reported in InterAksyon.com.
Similar to mall operators, buy-and-sell websites offer commercial space for lease where businesses can offer their products and services online. The only difference is that these entities offer such services over the Internet.
According to BIR, it is the responsibility of website operators or owners to ensure that companies availing their commercial spaces online are BIR-registered tax payers. This is also stated in Revenue Regulation 12-2011.
“In the same way, if you operate a buy and sell website, you have to make sure that your members or subscribers are registered with us. These websites have to make sure that the sellers are issuing receipts, otherwise, they will also be held responsible,” Henares said.
“Their businesses should be registered to us, and they should be paying the corresponding taxes. Otherwise, we will run after them,” Henares added.
As of this writing, no further statement has been announced yet from the said local buy-and-sell websites.
- RJ David (Co-Founder of Sulit.com.ph) commented “Similar to what I mentioned before, the BIR has to invite all major online players and sit down to discuss this topic.”
Update:
- We’ve contacted Sulit, AyosDito, Ensogo and eBay Philippines for any comment (or violent reaction) about the story.
- Included RJ David’s comment.
Photo Credit: Malaya
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