President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. commended the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for its digital transformation initiatives, calling its modernization efforts a crucial step in making tax compliance easier and more accessible for Filipino taxpayers.
Speaking at the BIR 2025 National Tax Campaign Kickoff, the President emphasized that a modern tax system benefits both businesses and the economy.
“Makikita po yun dahil mas magiging madali at magiging streamlined po lahat ng mga proseso na ginagawa natin sa BIR.”
“The digital transformation program has revolutionized taxpayer services… tax compliance is now more convenient for businesses, allowing them to focus on their businesses’ growth and their productivity. That is the modernization we aim for in a tax system that truly serves the people,” said the Chief Executive.
Under Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr., the BIR has rolled out several key initiatives to simplify tax compliance:
– Online Registration and Update System (ORUS): Allows taxpayers to register and update their information seamlessly.
– Digital TIN IDs: Provides instant access to valid tax identification, reducing the need for physical visits.
– Electronic One-Time Transactions (eONETT): Speeds up tax document approvals and registrations.
– Expansion of eLounges: Provides taxpayer assistance within BIR offices for navigating digital services.
– Upcoming Contact Center: A planned initiative that will allow taxpayers to resolve concerns via phone or online, eliminating the need for unnecessary trips to BIR offices.
During the event’s panel discussion, Lumagui stressed that the BIR is prioritizing the digitalizing tax services so that taxpayers can experience a faster, hassle-free system that promotes voluntary compliance and trust in government processes.
According to the BIR chief, “sinisiguro natin na kung ano man yung magiging ultimate result ng ating digital transformation ay mararamdaman ng mga taxpayers. Makikita po yun dahil mas magiging madali at magiging streamlined po lahat ng mga proseso na ginagawa natin sa BIR.”
“Kaya dyan din po tayo nakatutok na gagawin po natin yan. Dahil ultimately, ang gusto natin ay mas mapaganda, mapabilis ang serbisyo ng BIR. So, again, dyan magtataas ang compliance.”
During the event’s panel discussion, business leaders acknowledged the positive impact of BIR’s modernization efforts. George Barcelon, Chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), highlighted the importance of engaging businesses in tax reforms and digitalization.
“The BIR, under Commissioner Lumagui, has been very receptive to feedback. We have a multi-sectoral group that meets regularly with BIR to discuss prevailing issues, and digital transformation is key to addressing many concerns,” shared Barcelon.
“Most of our entrepreneurs are micro and small businesses. In that aspect of the technical capability, we have to handhold them. So, we are cascading all the issues that are being brought forward to us to BIR so they can look at it and amend or tweak whatever is fair and doable,” he added.
Content creator Boss Toyo, on the other hand, shared his personal experience of transitioning to tax compliance and how digital services have made the process easier.
“Parang before, maiisip mo, parang uy, BIR, kailangan magbayad tayo. May takot eh, meron ganong factor pagkanarinig mo yung BIR, di ba? Pero nung later on, pag basta maayos kang, inaayos mo yung mga dapat mong ayusin sa BIR, yung paano ka mag-comply, wala ka naman dapat katakutan. Kasi being compliant lang naman talaga yung solusyon, pero yung sinasabi nilang nakakatakot na BIR, mawawala yun once na naging compliant ka sa BIR.”
