Philippines: BIR Sets Deadline on Cigarette Tax Stamps

Source from:  Manila Bulletin  10/13/2014

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares yesterday announced that local cigarette manufacturers have until tomorrow to affix tax stamps on every cigarette pack.

The BIR chief extended the original October 1 deadline prescribed by Revenue Regulations No. 7-2014 due to technical problems encountered in the printing of the strip stamps.

The government-owned APO Production Unit of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) won the printing contract last year in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Stamp Integrated System (IRSIS) Corporation which oversees the printing and distribution of the stamps.

Henares said the October 15 deadline will be no longer extended, warning that those who do not comply or resort to using fake stamps face imprisonment of up to eight years and a fine of not more than P50,000.

"With respect to imported cigarettes, no importation and subsequent release of cigarette from the customhouse shall be allowed unless the new stamps shall have been affixed thereto effective January 1, 2015," Henares said.

The tax stamp comes in six different color designs to distinguish the cigarette packed by hand or by machine and those subject to high and low tax brackets.

The stamps may be ordered in banderols, or pre-cut according to the machine requirements of the users. Enditem