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Aubrey Rose Inosante - The Philippine Star
April 12, 2026 | 12:00am
“This is a very encouraging development, as it reflects not only growing public trust in our digital platforms, but also a broader appreciation for faster, safer and more efficient tax compliance,” he told The STAR in a Viber message.
Businessworld / File
MANILA, Philippines — More taxpayers are choosing to file and pay their annual income tax returns (AITRs) online as the April 15 deadline draws near, reflecting growing trust in the digital platforms of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Commissioner Charlito Mendoza said.
“This is a very encouraging development, as it reflects not only growing public trust in our digital platforms, but also a broader appreciation for faster, safer and more efficient tax compliance,” he told The STAR in a Viber message.
Mendoza said that to further assist taxpayers during the filing season, the BIR has set up electronic tax filing and tax assistance centers and e-lounges in all revenue district offices across the country to extend on-site guidance and support.
These facilities, which are open even on Saturdays, are intended to help taxpayers comply more easily with their obligations, particularly those who may need assistance in navigating the electronic filing process, he said.
“Ultimately, our message to taxpayers is clear: file early, pay on time and take full advantage of the assistance channels made available by the bureau so that compliance becomes easier for everyone,” Mendoza said.
The BIR chief added that authorized agent banks will be open on March 28 and April 11 to accept tax payments.
In addition, Mendoza noted that the AITR filing plays a very important role in pursuing the agency’s P3.431-trillion annual revenue goal in 2026.
“Collections generated during this period provide a significant boost to revenue in the early part of the year and help build strong momentum toward the bureau’s full-year collection target,” he said.
The BIR reported preliminary collection performance of P530.06 billion in the Jan. 1 to Feb. 28 period, beating its P527.78-billion internal target by 0.43 percent or P2.28 billion.
“Just as importantly, strong AITR compliance reinforces voluntary compliance, which remains one of the most important foundations of a healthy, stable and sustainable tax system,” Mendoza added.
