BIR highlights digital tax innovation at Singapore conference

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza showcased the agency’s taxpayer-centric approach to digital innovation during the GovMedia Conference & Awards 2026 in Singapore, highlighting how the 2026 BIR Interactive Digital Tax Calendar has helped simplify tax compliance and improve the taxpayer experience.

Mendoza spoke during the panel discussion, “When Government Gets Digital Right: Building Citizen-Centric Services that Deliver Results,” on July 9, 2026, at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre. He was the Philippines’ sole panel speaker at the conference, which gathered government leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to exchange best practices and present innovative public sector initiatives across Asia.

The panel examined how digital innovation can improve government services, expand accessibility, and enhance the overall citizen experience.

“I think that is what getting digital right means: making government easier to understand, easier to access, and easier to deal with. That is what citizen-centric government is all about — helping our people do the right thing,” Commissioner Mendoza said.

Mendoza said the 2026 BIR Interactive Digital Tax Calendar was designed to make tax compliance more convenient for taxpayers while strengthening public trust in government through clear and accessible digital services.

The digital platform received the Philippines Digital Initiative of the Year – Finance Award, recognizing its role in improving the delivery of tax-related information through an interactive online system.

“Taxpayers want to file their tax returns. They want to pay their taxes. And when they are given clear guidance on what to do and how to do it, they will comply,” he said.

The GovMedia Conference & Awards recognizes outstanding government projects and initiatives across Asia for excellence in digital transformation, innovation, governance, sustainability, and citizen-centric public service.

According to Mendoza, the Interactive Digital Tax Calendar was developed after the BIR analyzed recurring concerns raised by taxpayers through its frontline assistance personnel. These frequently asked questions included what taxes should be paid, when payments are due, which forms should be used, and where returns should be filed.

He said the bureau consolidated these answers into a centralized, real-time, and interactive platform that taxpayers can access through the BIR website, allowing users to obtain updated tax compliance information in one location.

Mendoza also cited an unexpected outcome following the launch of the Interactive Digital Tax Calendar and the bureau’s taxpayer guides covering new regulations.

“The calendar, together with our easier-to-access guides for new regulations, became some of our most shared content. When taxpayers see something that is useful and helpful to them, they naturally help us spread that information to other taxpayers,” he said.

He added that the BIR began receiving messages from taxpayers expressing appreciation for making tax deadlines, filing requirements, and newly issued regulations easier to understand.

The initiative forms part of the BIR’s broader digital modernization efforts, which seek to improve voluntary tax compliance through simpler processes and more accessible online services. The bureau has been expanding its digital platforms in recent years as part of the government’s wider push to modernize public service delivery and increase efficiency.

When asked what advice he would offer other government agencies pursuing digital transformation, Mendoza said institutions should continue investing in large-scale modernization while also addressing the practical concerns citizens encounter in their daily transactions.

“We should pursue large-scale digital transformation and fully integrated digital systems, but we should not lose the opportunity to address the simple, recurring problems that our taxpayers encounter every day,” he said.

Mendoza emphasized that effective digital innovation begins with listening to both the public and government employees who regularly interact with citizens.

“Consult first with your stakeholders, and more importantly, consult your frontline personnel because they are the ones who hear the complaints and concerns of your stakeholders. Oftentimes, they have the most practical solutions on how to fix these problems,” Commissioner Mendoza said.