Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said Monday the agency assessed P5.4 billion in tax liability on the part of three warehouses/factories containing illicit cigarettes in Indang and Dasmariñas, Cavite on March 21, 2024.
“This is one of the largest raids against illicit cigarettes in the history of the BIR, having an estimate of P 5.4 billion in total tax liability,” Lumagui said in a statement.
He said the BIR would continue targeting large-scale illicit cigarette traders. “We advise everyone to register their cigarette operations with the BIR and to pay proper excise taxes on those products,” he said.
“The BIR aims to protect legitimate businesses so if you register and pay your proper taxes, your businesses will be compliant. We want a level playing field so we protect registered businesses and raid illicit trade,” he said.
The BIR recovered master cases of cigarettes, machines, sacks of raw tobacco and fake internal revenue stamps.
Lumagui said the perpetrators behind the three warehouses/factories would face criminal and civil cases for violations of the National Internal Revenue Code.