Bureau of Internal Revenue Issuances
REVENUE MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR
RMC No. 13-2026
February 27, 2026
Circularizing Republic Act No. 12312, entitled “An Act Banning and Declaring Illegal Offshore Gaming Operations in the Philippines and Other Operations Related thereto, Repealing for the Purpose Republic Act Numbered Eleven Thousand Five Hundred Ninety, Otherwise Known as ‘An Act Taxing Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations’, and for Other Purposes”
Tax And Business Related News
BIR WEEKENDER BRIEFS
Volume No. 17 Issue No 8 Week ending February 27, 2026 – BIR Website
Nationwide Simultaneous CHAT Day – Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza, together with the Deputy Commissioners (DCIRs), led the conduct of the Nationwide CHAT (Counsel, Help, Assist Taxpayers) Day on February 23, 2026. They joined revenue officers in visiting business establishments as they guided and encouraged taxpayers’ voluntary compliance.
Click the link below to read the full news from the source:
https://bir-cdn.bir.gov.ph/BIR/pdf/v17n8%20highres.pdf
BIR launches South Luzon tax campaign, flags digital reforms ahead of filing season
BIR Website / February 27, 2026
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Friday, February 27, launched the South Luzon leg of its 2026 Regional Tax Campaign, with Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza outlining digital reforms, enforcement efforts, and workforce upgrades aimed at improving tax compliance ahead of the April filing season.
Click the link below to read the full news from the source:
https://bir-cdn.bir.gov.ph/BIR/pdf/PR17FEB2726.pdf
BIR ‘saves’ P461-M in revenue from crackdown vs. illicit cigarettes
Philippine News Agency / Ma. Teresa Montemayor / February 20, 2026 – MANILA
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Friday said sustained enforcement operations in Pampanga this month maintained an estimated PHP460.98 million in government revenue as part of its nationwide campaign against illicit tobacco.
Click the link below to read the full news from the source:
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1269481
Caraga hosts BIR’s 2026 tax campaign kickoff in Mindanao
Philippine News Agency / Alexander Lopez / February 20, 2026 – BUTUAN CITY
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) formally launched its 2026 tax campaign in Mindanao on Friday here, urging taxpayers to comply with their obligations under the theme, “Mahusay na Serbisyo, Katumbas ng Buwis Mo.”
Click the link below to read the full news from the source:
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1269462
Legarda eyes tax reliefs to privately owned heritage buildings, houses
Philippine News Agency / Leonel Abasola / February 23, 2026 – MANILA
Senator Loren Legarda is pushing for the passage of a measure seeking to grant incentive mechanisms to privately owned heritage buildings and ancestral houses. Senate Bill No. 1852, or the “Strengthening the Conservation and Protection of Philippine Cultural Heritage Through Heritage Incentives,” aims to address the high cost of conservation, restoration, and maintenance, which are key factors behind the deterioration or loss of many historic structures.
Click the link below to read the full news from the source:
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1269560
Pest control, not machine guns: Proportional reform for Philippine tax administration
Bilyonaryo.com / February 23, 2026
Every few years, a familiar “big bang” idea returns to tax administration policy conversation: abolish the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC), and replace both with a single, independent, well-funded National Revenue Authority (NRA).
Click the link below to read the full news from the source:
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2026/02/23/pest-control-not-machine-guns-proportional-reform-for-philippine-tax-administration/
CHAT program offers counseling, ‘friendly’ verification to taxpayers
Philippine News Agency / Che Palicte / February 24, 2026 – DAVAO CITY
The Bureau of Internal Revenue-Davao Region (BIR-11) launched CHAT (Counsel, Help, Assist Taxpayers) Day here on Monday, an initiative offering approachable and solution-oriented interactions through friendly compliance verification.
Click the link below to read the full news from the source:
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1269577
BIR, industry back unified vape juice tax to curb misdeclaration
Business World / Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio / February 24, 2026
AUTHORITIES and industry stakeholders on Monday backed a proposal to unify the excise tax structure for electronic vape juices, as lawmakers seek to plug regulatory gaps and boost government revenues amid tapering collections under the current system.
Click the link below to read the full news from the source:
https://www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/2026/02/24/732259/bir-industry-back-unified-vape-juice-tax-to-curb-misdeclaration/#google_vignette
BIR-Davao Region tops target, P717-M excess in 2025
Philippine News Agency / Che Palicte/February 24, 2026 – DAVAO CITY
The Bureau of Internal Revenue-Revenue Region No. 19 (BIR-Davao Region) has reported that its tax collections grew by 2.69 percent in 2025, surpassing its annual target.
Click the link below to read the full news from the source:
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1269641
Gov’t agencies back lawmakers’ proposal to unify vape tax rates
Philippine News Agency / February 24, 2026 – MANILA
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Bureau of Customs (BOC), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have expressed strong support for the proposal of some lawmakers to unify the two-tier tax system of vapor products in the country. In a congressional hearing on Monday, the BIR, BOC, and DTI fully backed House of Representatives Bills1316, 2618, 5207, 5212, 5364, and 6993, to restructure excise taxes for vapor products.
Click the link below to read the full news from the source:
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1269735
BIR, BOC, DTI back proposal to unify vape tax rates
Philstar.com / February 24, 2026 – MANILA, Philippines
Key government agencies are backing proposals to simplify the country’s excise tax system for vapor products, citing enforcement challenges, technical gaps and potential revenue losses under the current framework.
Click the link below to read the full news from the source:
https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/02/24/2453721/bir-boc-dti-back-proposal-unify-vape-tax-rates
Automated Initiation, Single-Instance and Standardized BIR audit framework
Business World / Amicus Curiae by Fatima Faye E. Cordova-De Lima / February 25, 2026
The National Internal Revenue Code, as amended, empowers the Commissioner of Internal Revenue (CIR) to make assessments and prescribe additional requirements for tax administration and enforcement. The CIR, or his duly authorized representative, may authorize the examination of any taxpayer and the assessment of the correct amount of tax. Pursuant to this power, the CIR issued Revenue Memorandum Order No. 001-2026 (RMO) on Jan. 27 this year.
Click the link below to read the full news from the source:
https://www.bworldonline.com/opinion/2026/02/25/732524/automated-initiation-single-instance-and-standardized-bir-audit-framework/#google_vignette
BIR joins ‘Lab for All,’ brings taxpayer services closer to public
Philippine News Agency / February 26, 2026
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT ZONE – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), through Revenue District Office (RDO) No. 21-Subic Bay Freeport Zone, actively participated in the “Lab for All” activity held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center on Feb. 24, reaffirming its commitment to accessible and citizen-centered public service.
Click the link below to read the full news from the source:
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1269920
Gabriela to protest on March 8 for VAT abolition, accountability
Philippine Inquirer / Dianne Sampang / February 27, 2026 – MANILA, Philippines
For this year’s National Women’s Month, women’s group Gabriela will stage a mass protest on March 8, urging the abolition of the value-added tax and accountability for government corruption.
Click the link below to read the full news from the source:
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2188364/gabriela-sets-protest-on-march-8-to-call-for-vat-abolition-accountability
Tax gamble
Businessworld /Martin Tort /February 26, 2025
For a government that’s cash-strapped, I cannot understand why Congress is abolishing the travel tax as well as reducing the tax on nicotine juice for vaping products. Both actions will erode revenue collections. Worse, in the case of nicotine juice, a lower tax can make vaping more accessible to the youth.
Click the link below to read the full news from the source:
https://www.bworldonline.com/editors-picks/2026/02/26/732791/tax-gamble/
Independent taxpayer advocate proposed to expedite refund process — former official
Businessworld / Beatriz Marie D. Cruz/ February 27, 2025
TAXPAYERS awaiting refunds should have a third-party advocate to turn to as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) drags its feet on reimbursements, a former finance official said.
Click the link below to read the full news from the source:
https://www.bworldonline.com/economy/2026/02/26/733142/independent-taxpayer-advocate-proposed-to-expedite-refund-process-former-official/
Download File:
