MANILA -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Monday said that it would file more cases against illicit vape importers and distributors this year, noting that there are still several retailers who sell unregistered products.

The BIR is already in the process of filing cases, Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. told state television PTV.

“Siguro ngayong first quarter ay mayroon na tayong isasampang mga kaso laban sa mga illicit vape traders,” he said.

“Ang ginagawa nila ay ang idinidisplay nila ang mga may compliance… pero nakatago yung mga produktong ilegal at nagbebenta pa din,” he said.

In 2024, the BIR said that it confiscated 560,000 units of vape products with a total of P415 million in tax liabilities.

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“Sana naman ay magsilbing leksyon ito na wag na natin tangkilikin ang illicit vape products,” Lumagui said.

“Ngayon umaasa tayo na lahat ng importers at distributors ay magcomply para patas din ang laban,” he said.

The BIR is also working to go after online retailers after a law on the imposition of taxes on digital service providers was passed last year, he said. 

“Maraming online sellers ang kumikita nang bilyong-bilyon na hindi nagrereport ng tama,” Lumagui said. 

“Gusto din naman natin na maging patas ang treatment natin dahil yung mga nasa traditional brick and mortar stores ay nagrerehistro at nagbabayad ng tamang buwis,” he said. 

“Gusto lang natin na level ang playing field aty lahat ay magbayad ng tamang buwis,” he added. 

In 2024, the BIR exceeded its collection target of P2.84 trillion after it garnered P2.86 trillion in taxes last year. 

In 2025, BIR is expected to collect P3.232 trillion, which is 13 percent higher than its collection last year. 

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