The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has reported strong collection figures in the first four months of 2025, even as the country’s economic managers adjusted its full-year revenue target downward due to tempered economic growth prospects.
In a video message posted on his official Facebook page, BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. announced that the agency collected a total of ₱1.1 trillion from January to April 2025, net of tax refunds.
According to Lumagui, “lumagpas sa target ang koleksyon ng BIR para sa unang apat na buwan ng 2025. Mula Enero hanggang Abril ngayong taon, naka-kolekta na po tayo ng 1.1 trillion pesos net of tax refund.”
Lumagui attributed the agency’s strong performance to heightened enforcement efforts and continued digital transformation of its services.
“Mas mataas po ito ng 7.045 billion pesos kaysa tinakdang target para sa period na ito; at 140.695 billion pesos o 14.5% ang itinaas kumpara sa koleksyon noong parehong panahon noong 2024.”
The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) recently revised its 2025 revenue program, reducing the overall collection goal for the year to ₱4.520 trillion from the previous ₱4.644 trillion, citing global uncertainties and lower-than-expected economic activity.
The BIR’s own collection target has been trimmed to ₱3.219 trillion from ₱3.232 trillion.
Despite this recalibration, the BIR continues to press forward with its reforms. Lumagui attributed the agency’s strong performance to heightened enforcement efforts and continued digital transformation of its services.
He pointed out that the revenue collections of the Bureau “ay bunga ng pinaigting na tax enforcement lalo na ang kampanya laban sa pagbebenta at paggamit ng ghost receipts. Ginamit po natin ang batas para papanagutin ang mga hindi sumusunod at hikayatin sila na mag-comply.”
Aside from this, he also emphasized the role of digitalization in improving compliance.
“Tuloy-tuloy rin ang digitalization ng aming core services mula sa registration, filing, hanggang payment systems. Ang streamlining na ito ay naglalayong gawing mas maging madali at mas magaan ang pagbabayad ng buwis, upang mas marami pa ang sumunod sa tamang paraan,” explained the BIR chief.
As BIR reforms take root, Lumagui called on all taxpayers—especially non-compliant ones—to fulfill their obligations under the law. He likewise thanked taxpayers for contributing to the agency’s tax collection efforts.
“Sa pamamagitan ng aming enforcement at digital reforms, nais naming himukin ang lahat ng taxpayers, lalo na ang mga hindi pa sumusunod, na tuparin ang kanilang obligasyon ayon sa batas,” he said.
“Sa tuloy-tuloy na digital transformation, mas madaling pagbabayad ng buwis, masinsinang enforcement laban sa mga tax evaders, at tapat na serbisyo mula sa aming kawani; kasama po kayo sa tagumpay ng BIR, sa tagumpay ng bagong Pilipinas.”
