The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) issued a final call to taxpayers to settle their obligations on Friday, May 15, the end of the one-month extension for the 2025 tax year.

In a statement, BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza urged the public to utilize electronic channels to complete filings and payments before the midnight cutoff to avoid late-interest charges and surcharges.

The May 15 deadline follows an order from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to extend the traditional April 15 cutoff, a move intended to provide relief and ensure higher compliance.

Mendoza expressed gratitude for the executive intervention, noting that the additional 30 days provided ample time for individuals and corporations to organize their financial statements and satisfy their tax liabilities.

Internal Revenue officials are now shifting focus toward collection and attachment submissions. While many have already completed the primary filing process, the BIR chief emphasized that taxpayers must also submit required supplemental documents by the end of business Friday, May 15.

Failure to provide these attachments can result in the filing being deemed incomplete, potentially triggering administrative penalties.

To manage the expected surge in last-minute activity, the BIR has mobilized its full administrative machinery.

Revenue District Offices and “eLounges” across the country are operating at maximum capacity to provide technical support for those navigating the bureau’s digital platforms.

A centralized Electronic Tax Filing Center has also been established to troubleshoot issues related to the online filing portals and various e-payment gateways.

Strategic oversight for the final push is being conducted from a National Command Center located at Revenue Region No. 7B in Mandaluyong City.

From this hub, Mendoza and his deputy commissioners are monitoring real-time data from the field, ensuring that any system bottlenecks or localized disruptions are addressed immediately. The command center will remain active until the close of the filing window to maintain continuous service.

Taxpayers are encouraged to use authorized agent banks and mobile payment apps to facilitate their transactions.

Under the law, late filings are subject to a 25 percent surcharge on the tax due, plus annual interest.

The BIR maintains that these electronic options are the most efficient way to ensure payments are recorded within the legal timeframe, shielding taxpayers from avoidable financial hits. (Jun Ramirez)