The Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PHILEXPORT) is urging the government to extend tax relief to small businesses with annual sales of up to P20 million, saying unresolved tax liabilities are tying up funds that could otherwise support production, technology upgrades and jobs across export supply chains.
The proposal would expand the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s One-Time Tax Abatement Program beyond microenterprises to small taxpayers with annual gross sales of P3 million to below P20 million.
PHILEXPORT president Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr. said micro, small and medium enterprises play a critical role in export supply chains, making their ability to remain financially viable important to the sector.
Clearing pending tax cases would allow these businesses to shift resources from litigation and penalties to productivity improvements, technology investments and employment, the group said.
The initial program, implemented under Revenue Regulations No. 4-2026, has enabled thousands of microentrepreneurs to settle outstanding obligations and return to regular tax compliance, PHILEXPORT said.
The group also welcomed simplified filing procedures, including the updated Offline eBIRForms Package, as a way to make the relief more accessible.
While awaiting formal guidelines for small taxpayers, PHILEXPORT urged eligible microentrepreneurs to apply under the existing program before its Dec. 31, 2026 deadline.
It also offered to help the BIR promote the program nationwide, arguing that broader access to tax relief could strengthen compliance while giving smaller businesses more room to invest and grow.
