The Bureau of Internal Revenue closes down three branches of a POGO firm for lack of registration requirements.

Government efforts to run after errant Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) service providers gained traction after the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) shut down Great Empire Gaming and Amusement Corp. (GEGAC) on Wednesday.

GEGAC, the first POGO ordered closed by the BIR, has offices in Subic, Quezon City and Parañaque.

The Quezon City branch employs around 8,100 foreign workers while a few hundred more are situated in the Parañaque and Subic offices.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said GEGAC was non-compliant with Sections 108 and 115 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.

“GEGAC has no registration for VAT (value-added tax) purposes,” Dominguez said.

To recall, Dominguez ordered the immediate closure of tax-evading POGO providers as they drag the pace of BIR’s collection efforts.

“Close down organizations that don’t withhold and remit the proper amount taxes from their employees. This will be done together with Departments of Labor and Employment, of Justice, Bureau of Immigration, Office of the President and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.,” Dominguez said.

The Finance chief also instructed the BIR to reject all “lump sum” offers or any arrangement terms.

“The collections should be per individual. You force the issue and bring them to the court. I mean, close them down,” Dominguez said.