Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza, left, and Department of Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go demonstrate the new 2026 Interactive Digital Tax Calendar during the National Tax Campaign kickoff in Manila on Feb. 13.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) kicked off its 2026 national tax campaign on Friday, Feb. 13, signaling a shift toward digital-first enforcement and taxpayer services as the government seeks to sustain a revenue windfall following a record-breaking collection year.
BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza led the launch at the Philippine International Convention Center, unveiling a strategy centered on the theme “Mahusay na Serbisyo, Katumbas ng Buwis Mo.”
The program emphasizes that efficient public service is the direct trade-off for tax compliance. The event, attended by Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go and various private sector leaders, serves as the formal start of the bureau’s annual drive to meet the government’s fiscal requirements for nation-building.
The bureau is entering the 2026 cycle on a high note after collecting ₱3.105 trillion in 2025, exceeding its internal targets. The growth was bolstered by the conclusion of the Estate Tax Amnesty program, which ended in June 2025.
According to bureau data, the amnesty alone generated ₱4.603 billion from more than 100,000 participants in the first half of last year, clearing a massive backlog of long-standing estate liabilities under simplified settlement terms.
A cornerstone of the 2026 agenda is the aggressive push for digital transformation to curb leakages and simplify the filing process. The agency reported that e-payment collections accounted for 85 percent of total tax revenue in 2025, a figure Mendoza expects to grow as new tools are deployed.
Among the latest innovations is an interactive digital tax calendar and a new “Registration Seal Badge” featuring QR codes. The badge is now mandatory for e-commerce and online businesses, allowing consumers and regulators to instantly verify a merchant's legitimacy via the bureau’s website.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. addressed the bureau and stakeholders via a recorded message, stressing that revenue collection must remain anchored on public trust.
The president noted that the administration’s “Bagong Pilipinas” vision relies on the BIR's ability to make the tax system more predictable and fair, rather than just hitting numerical targets.
Mendoza echoed this sentiment, stating that the agency’s success should not be measured solely by Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing figures, but by client satisfaction.
He committed to balancing firm enforcement with a vow to provide faster, more transparent service.
The bureau also introduced a new “Letter of Authority Verifier” via its ChatBot REVIE, a tool designed to protect taxpayers from unauthorized audits by allowing them to verify the authenticity of field officers' credentials in real-time.