BIR encourages online sellers in Central Luzon to register

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) urges online sellers in Central Luzon to register.

BIR Regional Investigation Division Assistant Chief Ester Roda Formoso shared that there are only 552 registered online sellers in the region as of September last year.

“Online sellers do not have fixed stores so it is difficult for us to oversee their transactions. With that, we are highly encouraging them to register, file, and pay for their income taxes,” she said.

Formoso added that requirements in the registration process are valid ID, proof of residence, P500 for registration fee, and P30 for document stamps.

In addition, BIR requires online sellers to issue printed official receipts or invoices to their customers.

“In lieu of our authority to print, BIR has printed receipts. Online sellers can avail these in BIR offices, amounting to PhP30 only per booklet. They can use these in their transactions,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Formoso pointed out that sarisari store owners are required to register and pay an annual registration fee of P500.

“Under the tax code, any person who profits, engaged in business, or the exercise of profession needs to register. For sari-sari store owners, the deadline for the payment of registration fee is on January 31,” she explained.

Owners are exempted to issue receipts with transactions worth PhP25 or less.

Minimum wage earners are not required to register and pay taxes provided that their annual income is not more than P250,000 per year.

She added that BIR caters to complaints or e-complaints sent in their websites, as she reminds the public that the Regional Investigation Division will inspect and check their tax compliance. (PIA 3)