BIR warns public against online tax ID card scheme

By Julito G. Rada

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) urged the public on Monday to be vigilant against unscrupulous individuals who offer their services on how to get a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and TIN cards through online selling platforms.

BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. issued the statement following the recent discovery of several “enterprising” individuals offering “BIR TIN ID ASSISTANCE” through Facebook, Shopee, Lazada, and other online selling platforms.

“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,” Lumagui said in a statement.

The BIR, through its Client Support Service, has conducted a dialogue with representatives of Shopee and Lazada on May 31, 2023, to call their attention on such illegal activities, and to request them to immediately remove all advertisements/postings offering TIN ID assistance.

Several entrapment operations and arrests of sellers of TIN ID Assistance services were also 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 on them. Said arrests and filing of criminal cases highlight the seriousness of the BIR in addressing the proliferation of unauthorized TIN issuance and selling of TIN Cards.