The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) exceeded its collection target for April, defying the potential slowdown from a deadline extension for annual income tax filings (AITRs).

In a statement on Thursday, May 14, the agency reported that it collected ₱422.38 billion in gross revenues last month, surpassing its goal by ₱12.77 billion, or 3.12 percent.

The April tax haul also slightly increased by ₱551.11 million compared to the same period last year, or a 0.13 percent year-on-year growth.

The better-than-expected collection was achieved despite President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordering an extension for filing the 2025 AITR, which was intended to provide taxpayers additional time to comply with documentation requirements without incurring penalties.

Historically, the April 15 deadline serves as the most significant revenue-generating window for the bureau, and extensions often delay the recording of these crucial inflows.

BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza attributed the resilient figures to aggressive tax campaigns conducted across the National Office, Revenue Regions, and the Large Taxpayers Service.

These initiatives encouraged early and voluntary compliance among the country’s top earners and corporations before the extended deadline took effect.

The sustained collection performance reflects a combination of higher taxpayer confidence and the bureau's ongoing digital transformation, Mendoza said.

He noted that the agency’s “DARES” reform agenda has streamlined services, making it easier for the public to settle obligations electronically.

For the first four months of 2026, the BIR’s total gross collections reached ₱1.155 trillion, 0.84 percent above the government’s target for the January-to-April period.

When compared to the first four months of 2025, total collections rose by ₱39.972 billion, representing a year-on-year expansion of 3.58 percent.

The bureau remains optimistic that it will maintain this momentum through the second quarter. Mendoza stated that the agency is on track to meet its annual revenue targets, fueled by the expectation of a surge in payments by the mid-May cutoff.

Taxpayers who utilized the extension are required to file and pay their 2025 taxes by May 15, 2026.

The BIR continues to urge the public to complete their filings ahead of the final deadline to avoid technical bottlenecks and last-minute processing delays. (Jun Ramirez)