By Tracy Cabrera
DILIMAN, Quezon City — With tax collections reaching more than ₱2 trillion in the first seven months of the current year, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is on track to meet its 2026 target, according to Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza.
Official data from the BIR showed that gross collections reached ₱2.003 trillion from January to July, exceeding the ₱1.990-trillion goal for the period and also higher than the ₱1.9 trillion collected in the previous year.
“We have already collected around 60 percent of our full-year target. Th(is) show(s) that better taxpayer service, clearer rules and effective enforcement can support stronger compliance and collection,” Commissioner Mendoza cited.
In July alone, the BIR collected ₱358.44 billion, beating the monthly target of ₱336.07 billion and also exceeding the year-earlier ₱339.03 billion.
“We have been pursuing reforms under ou five-point BIR DARES agenda, which seeks to improve tax administration through simpler rules and processes, expanded digital services, enhanced audit safeguards and stricter enforcement against deliberate non-compliance,” he underscored.
DARES stands for Digital and Data Transformation, Audit Reform and Accountability, Revenue Collection and Base Protection, Employee Empowerment and Welfare Promotion, and Service Excellence and Stakeholder Engagement.
“The reforms we have implemented form part of (our) broader effort to improve compliance while protecting the government’s revenue base,” Mendoza pointed out.
“We will continue helping taxpayers comply correctly and on time, while making sure that taxes properly due are collected fairly and efficiently,” he committed.
In ending, the revenue chief noted that government revenues are expected to reach ₱5.205 trillion next year, based on projected data from the Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing for 2027.
“The 2027 revenue goal is equivalent to 15.7 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and is 8.28 percent higher than this year’s lowered target of ₱4.807 trillion. Of the total, ₱4.851 trillion will come from tax revenues, of which the BIR is expected to account for the largest share,” Mendoza concluded.
ia/xf
