Tax revenue collection benefited from the extended filing season, driving the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) year-to-date collections to ₱1.43 trillion as of end-May—up from the ₱1.35 trillion recorded in the same period in 2025.

This 5.5-percent increase in cumulative revenues for the first five months exceeded the BIR’s ₱1.42-trillion target, the country’s largest tax collection agency said in a statement released Monday, June 15.

BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza attributed this sustained growth to the institutionalization of the BIR DARES reform agenda, which has streamlined tax administration through digitalization and simplified compliance.

The five-month momentum was anchored by a robust performance in May, when collections hit ₱279.1 billion—a 14.2-percent surge from the ₱242.704 billion collected in May 2025. This year-on-year spike was primarily driven by a strategic extension of the tax filing season, which was ordered to mitigate the impact of national energy challenges.

Mendoza said the extension granted by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. “helped taxpayers manage their finances and comply with their tax obligations in a more orderly manner during this energy crisis.”

“It gave taxpayers additional time to file and pay correctly while easing compliance pressures during a difficult period,” the BIR chief added.

The BIR also surpassed its monthly target by ₱78.2 million despite operational hurdles faced by regional offices.

Mendoza credited the agency’s revenue regions, district offices, Large Taxpayers Service (LTS), and national office for their efforts during the extended filing season. “This was especially important as some areas had to continue serving taxpayers despite power and internet interruptions,” he said.

Apart from the temporary filing extensions, the BIR credited the long-term revenue surge to systemic upgrades under the DARES agenda.

Major milestones during the month included the launch of a new portal for large taxpayers, the introduction of QR-enabled registration for online businesses, and simplified process for business closures.

Looking ahead, the BIR remains focused on balancing taxpayer support with rigorous enforcement. Mendoza noted that the May outcome proves revenue growth and ongoing reforms can coexist.

“We will continue to support taxpayers through clearer rules, simpler processes, and better digital services, while protecting the revenue base through stronger enforcement and compliance monitoring,” Mendoza said. (Derco Rosal)