Manila: The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) announced it has surpassed its seven-month tax collection goal, attributing this achievement to enhanced taxpayer compliance and intensified enforcement.

According to Philippines News Agency, the BIR reported a collection of PHP2.003 trillion from January to July, exceeding its revenue goal of PHP1.990 trillion by PHP13.53 billion. This collection also marks a 5.4 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

In July alone, the BIR collected PHP358.44 billion, surpassing the monthly target by PHP22.37 billion and exceeding last year's collections by PHP19.41 billion. BIR Commissioner Charlito Mendoza noted that the agency has already collected about 60 percent of its full-year target for 2026. This reflects the improvement in taxpayer compliance and the sustained collection efforts across Revenue Regions, Revenue District Offices, and the Large Taxpayers Service.

Commissioner Mendoza stated that the agency is guided by the President's directive to make government services more accessible to taxpayers and by Finance Secretary Frederick Go's direction to make tax administration fairer and more efficient for businesses and investors. He emphasized that better taxpayer service, clearer rules, and effective enforcement can support stronger compliance and collection.

Under its five-point reform agenda, BIR DARES, the bureau continues to simplify tax rules and processes, expand digital services, improve taxpayer assistance, and strengthen audit safeguards. The agenda, which stands for Digital and Data Transformation, Audit Reform and Accountability, Revenue Collection and Revenue Base Protection, Employee Empowerment and Welfare Protection, Service Excellence and Stakeholder Engagement, aims to improve compliance while protecting the government's revenue base.

Commissioner Mendoza affirmed the bureau's commitment to assisting taxpayers in complying correctly and on time, ensuring that taxes due are collected fairly and efficiently.