Philippines warns POGOs about tax evasion

The Finance Secretary in the Philippines issued a warning to POGOs and said the government will go after all companies that don’t pay their respective taxes.

The Philippines.- There’s a major concern in the Philippines about gambling and, particularly, Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). That’s why finance secretary Carlos Dominguez III has issued a warning to POGOs and their providers over tax evasion.

The official reminded me that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has already hit three operations with its task force. Moreover, it has collected €21.4 million in unpaid taxes from one of them.

“Basically we’re going hard against people who are evading taxes,” Dominguez said.

Major raid

The Philippines decided to raid its largest POGO operation over a tax issue. The company failed to properly register and pay its taxes and got shut down.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Department of Finance (DOF) closed branches of New Oriental Club 88 Corporation (NOCC). The company had registered an office in Makati City, but not another one in Parañaque, BIR Deputy Commissioner Arnel Guballa explained.

Taxation

The Department of Finance of the Philippines said that the POGOs can be subject to taxes by the local government. He countered the opinion by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), which had said the opposite thing.