PASAY CITY — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) officially launched its 2026 National Tax Campaign at the Philippine International Convention Center on Friday, shifting its focus toward digital transparency and taxpayer satisfaction under the theme, “Mahusay na Serbisyo, Katumbas ng Buwis Mo” (Excellent Service, the Equivalent of Your Taxes).
The launch comes on the heels of a record-breaking 2025, where the bureau collected Php 3.105 trillion, surpassing its annual target. BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza emphasized that while revenue generation remains the priority, the bureau is now prioritizing “client satisfaction” to encourage voluntary compliance.
To streamline compliance, the BIR introduced several digital tools aimed at eliminating bureaucracy and protecting taxpayers from fraud:
- Interactive Digital Tax Calendar: An online platform to help taxpayers track filing and payment deadlines in real-time.
- LOA Verifier: A feature integrated into the “REVIE” ChatBot that allows taxpayers to instantly verify if a Letter of Authority (LOA) for an audit is authentic.
- QR-Coded Registration: New Certificates of Registration (COR) now feature a QR code and a “Seal Badge” for e-commerce sites to verify business legitimacy.
Data from 2025 shows these digital efforts are gaining traction, with e-payment collections now accounting for 85 percent of total tax revenue.
Policy Successes
The bureau also reported a significant windfall from the Estate Tax Amnesty program, which concluded in June 2025. The extension allowed over 100,000 taxpayers to settle long-standing liabilities, generating Php 4.603 billion in the first half of last year alone.
In a video message, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reminded the bureau that “revenue collection rests on public trust,” urging the agency to keep the tax system predictable and fair. Finance Secretary Frederick Go also attended the event, reiterating the Department of Finance’s support for the BIR’s ongoing modernization.
Commissioner Mendoza concluded the kickoff by framing the agency’s goals beyond the budget: “No matter how high the target, we should not lose sight of the fact that how we treat the public is as important as the money we remit to the Treasury.”