SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has encouraged consumers to report sellers who fail to issue receipts for goods purchased online.
BIR Regional Director for LaQueMar (Laguna-Quezon-Marinduque) Michael Remir Macatangay said the bureau has started implementing a new law on digital taxation focused on educating both sellers and buyers on tax compliance.
“If you encounter online sellers who do not issue receipts for your purchases, you may report it to us. Sometimes taxpayers, or even sellers, have not yet gone through the education or assistance stage, so we need to help and teach them proper business practices,” Macatangay stated during the Kapihan sa PIA Calabarzon program.
Part of the BIR’s campaign is to “assist, educate, monitor, and enforce” to ensure compliance on digital taxation, with focus on the assist and educate phases.
With the growing online marketplaces in the country, the bureau noted lapses in the proper issuance of receipts among small online sellers and start-up entrepreneurs.
The BIR has been holding orientation-seminars and information drives to guide business owners on how to comply with their tax obligations while observing fair competition.
The BIR stressed that receipts serve as proof of purchase, protecting both buyers and sellers.
“Tell us, and we will help you. First, we will help the sellers comply, and second, we will help you as consumers by ensuring that you get a receipt for your purchases,” Macatangay said.
As part of its broader modernization program, BIR is also exploring digital solutions to make it easier for businesses, especially those engaged in online selling, to comply with invoicing and reporting requirements.
The bureau continues to remind the public to ask for receipts when making online purchases, noting that this simple practice contributes to nation-building by ensuring that correct taxes are collected.
