BIR May collections up 14.15% at P279.14 billion

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said it collected P279.14 billion in gross revenue in May, up 14.15% from a year earlier.

In a statement on Monday, the BIR said collections last month exceeded its P279.056-billion goal for May.

BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza attributed the increase to the extension of the annual income tax return filing from the original April 15 cutoff to May 15.

“The extension granted by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. helped taxpayers manage their finances and comply with their tax obligations in a more orderly manner during this energy crisis,” he said.

“It gave taxpayers additional time to file and pay correctly while easing compliance pressures during a difficult period,” he added.

The Philippines was placed in a state of energy emergency in March to give the government powers to deal effectively with the Middle East conflict.

For the five months to May, the BIR collected P1.434 trillion, up 5.49% from a year earlier. 

The five-month collection also exceeded the agency’s P1.424-trillion target by P9.709 billion.

“The May results show that revenue growth and BIR DARES reforms can move together,” said Mr. Mendoza, referring to BIR’s Digital and Data Transformation, Audit Reform and Accountability, Revenue Collection and Base Protection, Employee Empowerment and Welfare Promotion, Service Excellence, and Stakeholder Engagement agenda.

“We will continue to support taxpayers through clearer rules, simpler processes, and better digital services, while protecting the revenue base through stronger enforcement and compliance monitoring,” he added.

In May, the BIR launched several reforms including the establishment of the Taxpayer Portal for the Large Taxpayers Service, while rolling out the Registration Seal Badge and QR-enabled Certificate of Registration for online businesses.

It also simplified closure and cancellation of BIR registrations and issued measures to implement the new mining royalty regime.

For 2026, the BIR’s revenue collection target, according to the Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing, is set at P3.58 trillion, while its emerging collection goal stands at P3.43 trillion, 4% lower than the original target, according to Revenue Memorandum Order No. 009-2026. — Justine Irish D. Tabile