The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Monday urged the public not to patronize and obtain their taxpayer identification number (TIN) card from online sellers. The BIR reiterated the warning after discovering that several individuals are offering TIN ID assistance via Facebook, Shopee, Lazada and other online selling platforms. ‘These offers of TIN ID assistance posted in online channels or selling platforms are not authorized by the BIR and are, therefore, considered illegal. Please do not be deceived or misled by such offers,’ Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said. The BIR said its Client Support Service conducted a dialogue with representatives of Shopee and Lazada last month to call their attention on such illegal activities, and to request them to immediately remove all advertisements/postings offering TIN ID assistance. ‘TIN cards are not for sale, and are only issued or released by the BIR through its authorized personnel. Do not get TIN or TIN cards from unauthorized BIR personnel, non-BIR personnel or through Facebook, Shopee, Lazada and other online selling platforms, because they are considered illegal, fraudulent and fake,’ Lumagui said. The BIR reiterated that getting a TIN or TIN card is free of charge and does not require third-party services for it to be issued. To ensure the authenticity and legitimacy of the TIN and TIN card being issued, Lumagui advised the public to transact only with authorized revenue personnel at the Revenue District Office (RDO) having jurisdiction over their residence and to follow the established process for obtaining both. He also reminded everyone to exercise caution when giving their personal information online to prevent identity theft and other cybercrimes. ‘The BIR remains committed to protecting the integrity of the taxation system and ensuring compliance with tax regulations. We urge the public to cooperate and report any sellers of TIN or TIN ID to the BIR through our Hotline number (02) 8538-3200 or via email at [email protected]. By reporting such activities, you are helping the BIR put a stop to this unlawful practice,” Lumagui said. According to BIR, several entrapment operations and arrests of sellers of TIN ID assistance services were already made by the BIR regional and district offices since 2019 in Laoac, Pangasinan; Cebu City; Bukidnon; Gumaca, Quezon; Pila, Cabuyao and Sta. Rosa, Laguna; and Cordillera Administrative Region. The offenders were apprehended, and legal proceedings were initiated to ensure that appropriate penalties were imposed.
Source: Philippines News Agency