Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza outlined the Bureau’s direction toward a tax administration that is fair, simple, predictable, and partnership-driven as he presented four commitments—Predictability, Simplicity, Fairness, and Partnership—supported by the BIR DARES reform and legacy agenda at the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) Tax Forum 2026 on August 13, 2026.
Held under the theme, “From Preparation to Protection: Navigating Tax Compliance in a Changing Landscape,” the forum brought together business leaders and tax professionals to discuss tax compliance, regulatory developments, digitalization, audits, dispute resolution, and other issues affecting businesses operating in the Philippines.
“Businesses can operate under demanding rules. What is much harder is operating under uncertain rules, inconsistent interpretations, or unpredictable processes,” Mendoza said.
The BIR is pursuing reforms to make compliance easier, audits more consistent and accountable, and enforcement more focused on genuine compliance risks. Mendoza also emphasized that digitalization should simplify taxpayer transactions, reduce processing time and discretion, and improve transparency.
He underscored the importance of sustained private sector engagement in shaping reforms that respond to actual business conditions and operational concerns.“The private sector sees things that government sometimes does not. You experience our regulations in actual business operations. You know where processes work. You know where they create bottlenecks. You know where requirements overlap,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza also linked better tax administration to the country’s broader business and investment environment, noting that tax certainty, regulatory consistency, and efficient processes are important to enterprises operating and investing in the Philippines.
“We will listen. We will improve. We will enforce the law fairly. And we will continue making it easier for taxpayers to do the right thing,” Mendoza said.
The forum also featured discussions on tax policy and regulatory updates, digitalization, audits and dispute resolution, and the Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax. BIR Deputy Commissioners Larry M. Barcelo and Marissa O. Cabreros, Assistant Commissioners Raquel Cristina V. Baltazar and Mariza R. Uy, and Collection Programs Division Chief Glenn Alde were among the Bureau officials who participated in the sessions.
