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Bureau of Internal Revenue
The STAR / Krizjohn Rosales, File photo
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) recorded higher collections in January compared to the same period last year, according to the Department of Finance.
Preliminary data presented during the agencies’ command conference on Feb. 19 showed that the BIR collected P350.6 billion in January, marking a 13.7-percent increase from the same period in 2024.
Meanwhile, the BOC’s total collections in January went up by 8.1 percent to P79.3 billion.
Both agencies have also provided updates on their digitization efforts and enforcement programs.
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto commended the BIR and BOC for posting higher collections last month.
Recto also urged both agencies to fast-track their respective digitalization initiatives.
For 2025, the BIR aims to roll out key digital initiatives, including the implementation of the electronic invoicing/receipt and sales reporting system, utilization of the internal revenue integrated system and the launch of Project 230x.
The BIR is also working on expanding its electronic filing and payment systems to streamline tax compliance for businesses and individuals.
The BOC, on the other hand, is focused on fully digitalizing customs processes. This includes integrating various payment channels into the e-pay portal system, launching a new electronic certificate of payment and linking its postal system with the Philippine Postal Corp.
The agency is also working on setting up regional data centers to enhance operational efficiency.
Latest data from the Bureau of the Treasury showed revenue collections rose by 15.2 percent to reach P4.1 trillion from January to November 2024, while disbursements grew by 13 percent to P5.28 trillion.
This brought the government’s budget deficit to P1.18 trillion during the 11-month period, 5.9 percent higher than the P1.11 trillion a year ago.
A wider budget deficit occurs when public spending grows faster than the revenue generated through taxes and other sources. It typically indicates that the government is spending more than it earns, requiring borrowing to cover the shortfall.
In November, 95.3 percent of revenues came from tax collections at P322.4 billion, up by 12.7 percent from a year ago. Non-tax collections, on the other hand, plunged by 70.7 percent to P15.9 billion.
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