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After influencers, BIR tells Axie Infinity players to register and pay taxes

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Axie Infinity game" src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/business/08/24/20210824-axie-infinity.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Screengrab from Axie Infinity game</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - Besides social media influencers, the Philippines’ main tax collection agency said people who earn money from playing online games also need to register and pay taxes. </p><p>The Bureau of Internal Revenue said on Tuesday that income from playing online games like Axie Infinity can be taxed. </p><p>“Maraming nagsasabi: Naku BIR, bakit mo kami bubuwisan e naglalaro lang kami. Unfortunately, yung serbisyo ng pagalalaro, diyan ho kayo binabayaran ng income, kumikita kayo,” said BIR Deputy Commissioner Marissa Cabreros. </p><p>(Many are saying: Why is the BIR taxing us when we’re just playing? Unfortunately, while you play, you get paid income, you earn.)</p><p>Axie Infinity is an online game from Vietnamese company Sky Mavis which lets players earn cryptocurrencies in the game, which can then be exchanged for pesos. </p><p>The game’s popularity reportedly exploded in recent months, with thousands of players in the Philippines attracted to its play-to-earn model.</p><p>“At the end of the day may flow of income na pumasok sa ating players, so income din po ‘yan na pu-pwede pong maging taxable,” said Cabreros during Tuesday’s Laging Handa briefing.</p><p>(At the end of the day, there’s a flow of income to our players, so that is still income that can be taxable.)</p><p>The BIR earlier issued a memorandum circular ordering social media influencers to register and pay taxes.</p><p>It said that &quot;certain social media influencers have not been paying their income taxes, despite earning huge income from the different social media platforms.&quot;</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/08/17/21/bir-reminds-social-media-influencers-pay-your-taxes">BIR: ‘Certain’ influencers not paying income taxes, despite ‘huge’ earnings</a></li></ul><p>An industry group representing social media influencers has sought a dialogue with authorities to ease the burden of tax compliance.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/08/20/21/influencers-say-open-to-dialogue-with-govt-on-tax">Influencer group says BIR circular timely, open for dialogue on tax compliance</a></li></ul><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1755004" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

The Bureau of Internal Revenue said on Tuesday that income from playing online games like Axie Infinity can be taxed. 