Manila: Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. announced that the agency's personnel have visited over 200,000 establishments across the country as part of its Friendly Tax Compliance Verification Drive (TCVD). This initiative aims to educate businesses on their tax compliance requirements.

According to Philippines News Agency, Lumagui stated that the BIR's nationwide taxpayer education campaign is a shift towards becoming a taxpayer-centric agency. The TCVD, conducted from February 10 to 14, focused on helping taxpayers understand their obligations, identify common issues, and guide them in ensuring compliance with tax laws.

During the inspections, the BIR discovered that approximately 12 percent of the establishments visited were unregistered, highlighting the ongoing need for promoting proper business registration. Many businesses were also found to be unaware of their tax obligations.

Common violations identified included operating without proper registration, not maintaining books of accounts at the business location, and failing to display a certificate of registration. Additionally, some businesses were advised to improve record-keeping practices, such as timely entries in their books and proper invoice issuance.

The BIR reminded all taxpayers to file their 2024 Annual Income Tax Return and pay the exact tax due by April 15, 2025. Those needing assistance are encouraged to visit their nearest BIR Revenue District Office or access resources on the official BIR website.

Lumagui emphasized that taxpayer education and improved services lead to better voluntary compliance, reinforcing the partnership between the BIR and the private sector in nation-building.