BUSINESS groups issued statements last week commending recent Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) reforms, including a one-time tax abatement program for micro taxpayers and the abolition of redundant value-added tax (VAT) audit units.
Under Revenue Regulations 4-2026 issued June 22, micro taxpayers with gross sales not exceeding P3 million and total basic tax liabilities or penalties of up to P80,000 per taxable year may settle delinquent accounts, outstanding assessments, and open stop-filer cases under the abatement program.
The BIR has also abolished the Large Taxpayers VAT Audit Unit and the VAT Audit Section under regional offices through Revenue Administrative Order 004-2026, which took effect June 1, moving toward a single-instance audit framework.
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) lauded both measures, alongside the renewal of the BIR-Private Multi-Sectoral Group partnership.
“These reforms directly respond to the business community’s call for a simpler, fairer, and more predictable tax system,” PCCI president Ferdinand Ferrer said, adding that the single-instance audit framework reduces taxpayer burden and curbs opportunities for abuse.
PCCI taxation committee chairman Benedicta Du-Baladad said the abolition of redundant audit units eases compliance costs and fosters voluntary compliance, while the BIR-PMSG renewal ensures continued dialogue on future reforms.
The Philippine Exporters Confederation noted that the abatement program promotes voluntary compliance while easing financial burdens on small businesses.
The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines added that measures streamlining audit procedures and clarifying accountability are important to improving taxpayer confidence and ease of doing business.
