The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is now on a mission to crush online sellers offering Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN) and TIN cards.
BIR officials stumbled upon the so-called “TIN assistance” service sold on e-commerce platforms Lazada and Shopee.
“These offers of TIN ID Assistance posted in online channels/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 in a statement.
“TIN cards are not for sale, and are only issued/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,” he added.
Lumagui expressed concern that the sale of fake TIN IDs would result in identity theft and tax fraud, as he warned that those caught with the bogus proof of identification would face charges.