Kinumpirma ng Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) na kinatigan ng korte ang kasong kriminal na inihain nito laban sa vape seller na Tap Fog at mga kasabwat nito.
Sa isang pahayag, sinabi ng BIR na naglabas na ang Court of Tax Appeals at Metropolitan Trial Court ng Warrants of Arrest laban sa mga nasa likod ng nasabing kumpanya.
Nag-ugat ang paghahain ng kaso ng BIR sa isinagawang raid noong 2022 kung saan nadiskubreng sangkot ang kumpanya sa pagbebenta ng iligal na vape.
Ayon naman kay BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr., patunay ito ng seryosong kampanya ng BIR laban sa mga pagbebenta ng untaxed vape products.
“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. The BIR is closely monitoring the vape industry. Comply with the registration and taxation requirements under our laws. The vape industry is already a regulated industry, the BIR has already established a system for the proper registration and payment for this purpose,” ani Commissioner Lumagui.
Batay sa criminal complaint, aabot sa P1.2-billion ang estimated civil liability ng Tap Fog kasama na ang multa.
Kabilang sa mga kasong naisampa rito ang mga sumusunod: Unlawful Possession or Removal of Articles Subject to Excise Tax without Payment of the Tax in violation of Section 263, Selling of Heated Tobacco Products and Vapor Products at a Price Lower Than the Combined Excise and Value-Added Taxes in violation of Section 263-A, Selling or offering for sale any box or package containing articles subject to excise tax with false, spurious or counterfeit stamps or labels or selling from any such fraudulent box, package or container as aforementioned in violation of Section 265, Willful Attempt to Evade or Defeat Tax in violation of Section 254, and Willful Failure to Pay Taxes in violation of Section 255, in relation to Sections 15, 171, 172 at 253 (d), all of the NIRC of 1997, as amended. | ulat ni Merry Ann Bastasa