THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) posted a double-digit increase in collections in May, beating its target as administrative reforms and an extended filing season supported taxpayer compliance.
The agency collected a total of P279.135 billion, up 14.15 percent or P34.610 billion from the P244.525 billion recorded in the same month last year.
The May result also surpassed the BIR’s P279.056-billion goal for the month by P78.22 million and extended a streak of meeting revenue targets this year.
Tax chief Charlito Martin Mendoza attributed the strong performance to the extended filing season, which gave taxpayers additional time to meet their obligations
“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 in a statement on Monday.
“It gave taxpayers additional time to file and pay correctly while easing compliance pressures during a difficult period,” he added.
Marcos in April ordered the extension of the filing deadline for 2025 annual income tax returns to May 15 from April 15 to provide some relief for taxpayers struggling to cope with the energy crisis.
Mendoza also credited BIR personnel across the country for maintaining operations during the extended filing period.
“I commend our Revenue Regions, Revenue District Offices, Large Taxpayers Service, and National Office for the work they put in during the extended filing season,” he said.
“From our frontline personnel assisting taxpayers in our offices and eLounges, to our back-end teams ensuring continuity of operations, everyone had a part in this result,” Mendoza added.
“This was especially important as some areas had to continue serving taxpayers despite power and internet interruptions.”
The double-digit May performance helped lift the bureau’s collections in the first five months of the year to P1.434 trillion, a 5.49-percent increase or P74.582 billion from the P1.359 trillion collected in the comparable 2025 period
The five-month haul likewise exceeded the agency’s P1.424-trillion target by P9.709 billion. The BIR has been tasked to collect P3.579 trillion this year.
Mendoza said ongoing reforms under the BIR’s DARES agenda also contributed to sustaining revenue growth while making it easier for taxpayers to transact with the agency.
Among the measures rolled out in May were the launch of the Taxpayer Portal for the Large Taxpayers Service, the implementation of the Registration Seal Badge and QR-enabled Certificates of Registration for online businesses and the Ease of Closing Business reform, which simplified procedures for the closure and cancellation of BIR registrations.
The bureau also issued guidelines implementing the new mining royalty regime under Republic Act 12253.
“The May results show that revenue growth and BIR DARES reforms can move together,” Mendoza said.
“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.
