MANILA — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) collected ₱279.135 billion in gross revenues in May 2026, recording a 14.15 percent year-on-year increase and surpassing the agency's monthly collection target, according to BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza.
The May figure exceeded the Bureau's ₱279.056-billion target by ₱78.22 million and was higher by ₱34.610 billion compared with the same month in May 2025, continuing an upward trend in government tax collections that has persisted through the first five months of the year.
Cumulative collections from January to May 2026 reached ₱1.434 trillion in gross revenues, surpassing the Bureau's five-month target of ₱1.424 trillion by ₱9.709 billion — a year-on-year growth of 5.49 percent, or ₱74.582 billion above the corresponding period in 2025.
Extended Filing Season Credited for Strong May Performance
Commissioner Mendoza attributed the strong May performance to the extension of the filing season authorized by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., which was granted in response to an ongoing energy crisis affecting the country.
In a statement released by the Bureau, Mendoza said the extended deadline allowed taxpayers greater flexibility in managing their financial obligations and contributed to a more orderly compliance process during a period of widespread difficulty.
"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. It gave taxpayers additional time to file and pay correctly while easing compliance pressures during a difficult period," Mendoza said.
The filing extension was implemented amid nationwide power and internet interruptions that complicated normal tax filing procedures for both individual and corporate taxpayers across several regions of the Philippines.
BIR Field Offices and National Teams Sustain Operations Amid Power Disruptions
Commissioner Mendoza also recognized the contributions of personnel across all levels of the Bureau, citing the efforts of frontline staff who continued to serve taxpayers despite infrastructure disruptions during the extended filing period.
He specifically credited the Bureau's regional and district offices, the Large Taxpayers Service, and various teams under the National Office for maintaining operational continuity throughout what he described as a challenging period.
"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. This was especially important as some areas had to continue serving taxpayers despite power and internet interruptions," Mendoza said.
The Bureau operates a network of regional offices, district offices, and eLounges — digital assistance centers designed to help taxpayers with electronic filing and payment — spread across the country. These facilities continued to function during the extended season to accommodate taxpayers who needed in-person assistance.
Five-Month Gross Revenue Surpasses ₱1.434 Trillion Mark
The cumulative five-month performance represents a significant milestone for the Bureau, which has now exceeded its year-to-date collection target by ₱9.709 billion through the end of May 2026.
The 5.49 percent year-on-year growth recorded from January to May 2026 reflects sustained revenue momentum despite the energy crisis and related economic pressures that have affected business activity across multiple sectors of the Philippine economy.
The BIR is the primary revenue-generating agency of the national government and plays a central role in funding public expenditures, including infrastructure, social services, and debt obligations. Consistent above-target performance from the Bureau reduces reliance on borrowings and supports fiscal balance.
Taxpayer Portal and New Digital Tools Launched Under DARES Agenda
The May revenue results were achieved alongside a series of reform measures under the BIR's DARES agenda — a reform framework focused on digitalization, administrative efficiency, and enhanced taxpayer services.
During May 2026, the Bureau rolled out several new programs and tools, including the launch of the Taxpayer Portal for the Large Taxpayers Service, designed to streamline compliance for the country's largest corporate filers.
The Bureau also introduced the Registration Seal Badge and QR-enabled Certificate of Registration for online businesses — a measure aimed at improving tax compliance monitoring in the rapidly growing digital commerce sector. Additionally, the BIR implemented the Ease of Closing Business reform, which simplified the process for closing or cancelling BIR registrations, reducing administrative burdens for businesses exiting the market.
Further, the Bureau issued implementing measures for the new mining royalty regime under Republic Act No. 12253, which governs how royalties from mineral extraction are computed and remitted to the government.
Mendoza: Revenue Growth and Reform Can Advance Together
Commissioner Mendoza underscored that the May results demonstrated the Bureau's capacity to simultaneously pursue revenue targets and advance institutional reforms — two objectives that have sometimes been viewed as competing priorities in tax administration.
"The May results show that revenue growth and BIR DARES reforms can move together. 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," Mendoza said.
The DARES agenda has been a central pillar of the BIR's operational strategy under Mendoza's leadership, encompassing reforms to digitalize tax processes, improve audit and enforcement capabilities, reduce taxpayer compliance costs, and simplify registration and filing procedures.
Context: BIR's Role in National Fiscal Health
The BIR accounts for the bulk of the national government's tax revenues, making its monthly collection figures closely watched indicators of fiscal health. Collections that consistently meet or exceed targets provide the Department of Finance and the national government with greater flexibility in financing expenditures without increasing the deficit.
The five-month surplus of ₱9.709 billion above the cumulative target marks a positive trajectory heading into the second half of 2026, with the Bureau expected to maintain reform-driven revenue generation strategies in the months ahead.
No additional projections or revised full-year targets were announced alongside the May 2026 results, according to the Bureau's released figures as reported by Kuryente News.
The BIR is expected to release June 2026 collection figures following the close of that month's filing and payment cycles.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Bureau of Internal Revenue / BIR Official Facebook Page