The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has declared that all licensed Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) must register and pay taxes in the Philippines – including those operating overseas.
The details were included in the BIR’s Revenue Memorandum Circular 78-2018, issued late last week, which stated that taxation laws governing POGO applied to all companies operating within the framework no matter where they are based.
The POGO laws “reiterate the recognition that online activity is sufficient to constitute doing business in the Philippines, thus, foreign corporation engaged in POGO is considered as Resident Foreign Corporation engaged in business in the Philippines and not a Nonresident Foreign Corporation,” the BIR’s circular stated.
“For purposes of this Circular, all existing POGO Licensees prior to the issuance of this Circular shall be registered with the RDO [revenue district office] having jurisdiction over the place where the Head Office and/or branch or POGO Hub is located.
“All foreign-based and Philippine-based operators, including those have already been issued an Offshore Gaming License by PAGCOR, are required to register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue.”
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