UMVA has learned that the Bureau of Internal Revenue has pulled in a staggering P279.14 billion in gross revenue for May, a leap of 14.15% over the same month last year.
This figure not only eclipses the agency’s own May target of P279.056 billion but also signals a remarkable surge driven by a strategic policy shift.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the extension of the annual income tax return deadline from April 15 to May 15—an initiative championed by the president—has given taxpayers the breathing room they needed during a period of economic strain.
Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza lauded the move, noting that it allowed citizens to file and pay accurately while easing the pressure of compliance amid an energy crisis.
The Philippines’ declaration of an energy emergency earlier this year granted the government the authority to tackle the Middle East conflict’s ripple effects on the nation’s power grid.
Over the first five months of the year, the BIR collected a total of P1.434 trillion, up 5.49% from the previous year, surpassing its P1.424‑trillion goal by P9.709 billion.
Commissioner Mendoza highlighted that May’s results illustrate how revenue growth can coexist with the agency’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.
He promised continued support for taxpayers through clearer rules, simpler processes, and enhanced digital services, while reinforcing enforcement and compliance monitoring to safeguard the revenue base.
In May, the BIR rolled out several reforms, including the Taxpayer Portal for Large Taxpayers, the Registration Seal Badge, and a QR‑enabled Certificate of Registration for online businesses.
The agency also streamlined the closure and cancellation of BIR registrations and introduced measures to implement a new mining royalty regime.
Looking ahead, the BIR’s 2026 revenue collection target stands at P3.58 trillion, with an emerging collection goal of P3.43 trillion—a 4% adjustment from the original target.
