BIR reminds candidates to declare unused campaign funds

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May 9, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines —  As the campaign period winds down, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has reminded candidates to declare unused election funds so they could be subject to income tax.

In an interview with PTV yesterday, BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui called on national and local candidates to declare any unutilized campaign resources.

“They can keep the excess from the contributions they receive. There’s no problem with that as long as candidates pay the income tax,” Lumagui said.

Before the campaign started in March, the BIR already laid down the regulations including the five percent creditable withholding tax on expenses of all individual candidates and party-lists.

This is necessary considering that expenses subjected to the tax are tagged as utilized campaign funds.

After the election, candidates are mandated to file their statement of contributions and expenditures with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“If candidates fail to do this, there will be penalties and it can be considered as tax evasion if proven,” Lumagui said. “This is separate from the Comelec, which could also be a ground for disqualification.”

33 tons of campaign posters removed

Meanwhile, 33 tons of illegally posted campaign materials have been removed.

The dismantling of the illegal campaign materials took place from Feb. 11 to end-April under the Commission on Elections’ “Oplan Baklas,” the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said.

Personnel from the MMDA and other government agencies removed the materials from “tall poles, trees, electric posts, bridges, pedestrian footbridges, electric wires, and other non-designated areas.” – Ghio Ong