The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Wednesday warned the public against a fraudulent scheme targeting individuals with foreign-sourced trading income, dismissing a circulating document demanding fees as “fake.”
In an advisory dated December 17, 2025, Internal Revenue Commissioner Charlito Mendoza flagged a counterfeit memo purportedly issued by the agency’s International Tax Affairs Division. The fake document falsely claims that recipients of foreign funds must secure a “Foreign Trading Income Clearance” and pay a mandatory “Taxable Verification Fee” before their money can be released.
“The BIR categorically states that the said document is fake,” the bureau said in its statement. “It was neither issued by the ITAD nor the BIR.”
Authorities stated the scam is part of an “organized fraudulent scheme” designed to exploit unsuspecting taxpayers. The agency clarified that it does not process such clearances or require verification fees for foreign trading income.
The bureau also cautioned Filipinos against official-looking notices sent via messaging apps. “The BIR does not communicate and send notices to its taxpayers via WhatsApp, Messenger, or any similar messaging platforms,” the advisory noted.
Taxpayers were reminded that legitimate tax payments must be made exclusively through authorized agent banks, revenue collection officers, or official electronic gateways such as LandBank, UnionBank, and Maya.
The BIR urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious documents to their nearest office.
