BIR extends tax deadlines to Aug. 17 for areas hit by 'habagat'
By Jun Ramirez
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has pushed back deadlines for specified tax filings and payments to Aug. 17 for regions hit by heavy monsoon rains, providing relief to affected individuals and businesses in Luzon.
Under Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 89-2026, the extension applies to tax obligations falling due between Aug. 10 and Aug. 16. The measure covers 58 field offices, comprising 53 Revenue District Offices and five Large Taxpayer Audit and Excise Divisions located in regions bearing the brunt of the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat.
The relief covers a broad range of compliance requirements, including tax filings, payments, remittances, registration updates, and other mandatory submissions. Taxpayers may utilize online channels such as e-Filing, e-Payment, and the Electronic Filing and Payment System, as well as over-the-counter manual processing.
BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza said the decision aims to safeguard public safety and ensure taxpayers are not penalized while coping with adverse weather conditions. The extension gives taxpayers additional runway to fulfill their obligations without risking administrative fines or interest charges.
To ensure smooth processing, Authorized Agent Banks will continue to accept tax returns and payments from affected taxpayers through Aug. 17 without imposing penalties, pursuant to Bank Bulletin No. 2026-09.
The tax authority’s directive follows Memorandum Circular No. 123 issued by the national government, which authorized work-from-home arrangements for public sector personnel in Metro Manila and 15 neighboring provinces on Aug. 10 as persistent downpours triggered widespread localized flooding and transportation disruptions.
The extension offers much-needed flexibility to corporate entities and individual taxpayers alike, ensuring compliance operations remain manageable despite operational halts caused by the severe seasonal weather. The tax agency advised taxpayers in the affected areas to monitor official announcements for further guidance on submission procedures as banking operations normalize.