Nasamsam ng mga operatiba ng Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) ang nasa higit 60,000 units ng vape na nagkakahalaga ng ₱151-million sa isinagawang pagsalakay sa tatlong bodega sa Manila at Rizal na naglalaman ng iligal na vape.
Ayon kay BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr., ang ikinasang raid ay bunsod ng hindi pagpaparehistro ng naturang negosyo at hindi pagbabayad ng excise taxes.
Haharapin ng mga salarin ang mga sumusunod na kasong sibil at kriminal sa ilalim ng National Internal Revenue Code:
Violation of Section 106 – Value-Added Tax on Sale of Goods or Properties, Section 130 – Filing of Return and Payment of Excise Tax on Domestic Products, Section 131 – Payment of Excise Taxes on Imported Articles, Section 144 – Tobacco Products, Heated Tobacco Products, and Vapor Products, Section 146 – Inspection Fee, Section 248. Civil Penalties, Section 249 – Interest, Section 254 – Attempt to Evade or Defeat Tax, at Section 263 – Unlawful Possession or Removal of Articles Subject to Excise Tax Without Payment of the Tax.
Kasunod nito, muling nagpaalala si Commissioner Lumagui sa mga nagnenegosyo ng vape na tiyaking legal ang kanilang negosyo at nagbabayad ng tamang buwis ng hindi managot sa batas.
“Register your vape businesses and we will help you. Pay the proper excise taxes on your vape products and we will help you. The raids and confiscation of vape businesses and products is the result of your non-registration and non-payment of excise taxes. The BIR is here to help in the registration and proper payment of taxes of all vape businesses. We will guide you every step of the way,” ani Commissioner Lumagui.
Matatandaang nitong Marso lang nang isang bodega rin ng iligal na vape sa Laguna ang sinalakay ng BIR kung saan higit 100,000 bote ng vape ang nakumpiska. | ulat ni Merry Ann Bastasa
