Online selling businesses that are either micro, small, medium, or large are required to register, according to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Online sellers must submit Form 1901 with trade name registered at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and personal information, to be issued a certificate of registration.

The tax to be imposed upon online selling businesses depends upon range of the income, according to Atty. Michael Alparaque, group supervisor of BIR’s Assessment Section.

If the annual gross income reaches P3 million, Value-Added Tax (VAT) applies. If gross income is below P3 million, online sellers pay percentage tax only.

Online sellers are required to issue invoice to customers to be attached to the parcel of goods. It was learned that the invoice is now used; the official receipt (OR) has already been removed through a policy on “ease of paying taxes.”

Food classified as agricultural products, as well as medicines, are exempted from VAT, Atty. Alparaque pointed out.

Judenn Parreño, an online seller, is in favor of the BIR guidelines to avoid unscrupulous customers.

BIR has conducted a mapping on online sellers in Western Visayas.

Violators will be fined P20,000.