BIR expands tax reform consultative group

The Bureau of Internal Revenue has renewed its multi-sectoral consultative mechanism with private-sector stakeholders, expanding the BIR Partnership with Multi-Sectoral Group from 12 to 15 member organizations.

The renewed partnership was formalized through a new Memorandum of Agreement signed on June 23, 2026, with business groups, professional organizations, foreign chambers, and industry associations.

Established in 2023, the BIR-PMSG serves as a structured venue for dialogue between the tax agency and the private sector on tax administration issues, taxpayer service, compliance concerns, and proposed reforms.

BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza said the renewed agreement builds on the group’s role in shaping reforms under BIR DARES, the bureau’s five-point priority reform agenda.

“When we began working on one of the most important reforms under BIR DARES—our audit reforms—it was to the PMSG that we turned. You helped us stress-test our proposals, challenge our assumptions, and refine them before they were implemented. Many of the reforms we have rolled out during the first six months of BIR DARES are stronger and better received by taxpayers because of that engagement,” Commissioner Mendoza said.

Mendoza also cited the recently launched One-Time Tax Abatement Program for Micro Taxpayers as another reform that came from listening to private-sector stakeholders.

“This shows why dialogue matters. When we listen, we are able to design reforms that respond to real concerns on the ground,” Commissioner Mendoza said.

He said the bureau will continue to listen to stakeholders, address issues before they escalate, and stress-test major reforms before they are rolled out.

“Reforms do not have to be perfect on day one. What is important is that we move forward, monitor how these reforms work in practice, and improve as we go,” he said.

Mendoza said the renewed MOA refers to the BIR-PMSG as the “Working Group,” a description that reflects its role in identifying issues, providing practical recommendations, and supporting the implementation of reforms.

“Government and the private sector are sitting down together, identifying issues, and finding solutions. Based on what we have accomplished in the seven months since I assumed office, the reforms that have come out of this partnership are working—for the BIR, for our enterprises and industries, and ultimately for our taxpayers and our economy,” Commissioner Mendoza said.

The renewed agreement adds three organizations to the BIR-PMSG: the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce in the Philippines, the Philippine Institute of Petroleum, and the Swiss Chamber of the Philippines.

Under the MOA, the BIR and its multi-sectoral partners will continue to collaborate on tax administration reforms, taxpayer services, compliance concerns, digitalization, ease of paying taxes, and ease-of-doing-business initiatives.

The BIR, an agency under the Department of Finance, is responsible for assessing and collecting national internal revenue taxes, fees, and charges, as well as enforcing related penalties and fines.

The renewed mechanism also comes as the bureau continues consultations with private-sector groups on audit reforms and other tax administration changes.

BIR-PMSG member organizations for 2026 are the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Management Association of the Philippines, Tax Management Association of the Philippines, Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Association of Certified Public Accountants in Commerce and Industry, Association of Certified Public Accountants in Public Practice, Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc., Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc., Makati Business Club, Alliance of Tech Innovators for the Nation, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce in the Philippines, Philippine Institute of Petroleum, and Swiss Chamber of the Philippines.