BIR, BOC surpass target collections in 4 months

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May 15, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines —  The country’s top revenue-generating agencies have surpassed their collection targets for the January to April period, while remaining on track to meet their annual goals despite the Middle East war, which prompted the suspension of excise fuel taxes and extended tax payments.

In a statement, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said it collected P1.16 trillion in the first four months, slightly beating its target by 0.8 percent.

The figure also marked a 3.6-percent increase from the P1.11 trillion collected in the same period last year.

BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza said the strong start keeps the agency on track to meet its P3-trillion full-year target, with collections now at roughly 34 percent of the annual goal set by economic managers.

Mendoza added that the bureau remains optimistic for May collections to be “positive” as well, with the remaining 2025 annual income tax payments due tomorrow.

“We remind taxpayers who availed of the extension to file their Annual Income Tax Returns (AITR) and pay the corresponding taxes due by May 15, 2026. They should use the remaining time to complete their requirements properly and avoid the rush on the last day,” he said.

Under a national energy emergency, President Marcos ordered the BIR to give taxpayers more time to file properly and submit the required documents without penalties by extending the AITR deadline, previously set on April 15.

In April, the BIR said its collections reached P422.38 billion, 3.1 percent above the P409.6-billion target despite the deferment of the AITR to May 15.

The AITR filing and payments usually fattens April monthly intake.

The BIR’s gross collection in April also inched up by 0.1 percent from P420.53 billion recorded in the same month of 2025.

Mendoza attributed this performance to aggressive tax campaign efforts by the National Office, Revenue Regions, Revenue District Offices and the Large Taxpayer Service in the past months, which helped encourage early and voluntary compliance.

“Even with the extension of the Annual Income Tax Return filing deadline, the BIR sustained solid collection performance in April, reflecting the impact of higher taxpayer confidence, better digital services and continuing reforms under the BIR DARES reform agenda,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Customs also reported that several collection districts have surpassed their revenue goals in the first four months, with Batangas Port posting the largest haul, which makes it closer in hitting the P1.003-trillion goal for 2026.

BOC data showed that the agency booked cumulative revenues of P325.81 billion in the January to April period this year, exceeding its P314.66 billion target by 3.5 percent.

BOC collections were also 6.4-percent higher annually, rising from P306.08 billion in 2025.

The BOC said these ports include the Port of Batangas, which collected P79.62 billion, and the Manila International Container Port, which generated P78.99 billion in the January to April period.

Other ports that beat targets included Subic (P19.68 billion), Davao (P17.73 billion), Cebu (P16.47 billion), Ninoy Aquino International Airport or NAIA (P16.29 billion), Cagayan de Oro (P15.75 billion), Clark (P1.82 billion), Tacloban (P1.77 billion), Iloilo (P1.45 billion) and Legaspi (P1.23 billion).

Surigao and Aparri ports also exceeded their goals, with revenues of P335 million and P592 million, respectively.

BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno attributed the increase in port revenues to the hard work, discipline and sacrifices of personnel at all 17 ports across the country.

“To the ports that exceeded their targets, congratulations on your outstanding performance. Your achievements inspire the entire Bureau to strive harder and perform better,” he said.   – Bella Cariaso