BIR’s Compliance Drive Reaches 200,000 Businesses

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) successfully visited more than 200,000 establishments nationwide during its Friendly Tax Compliance Verification Drive (TCVD) from Feb. 10 to 14, 2025.

“The BIR educated over 200,000 establishments during its Friendly TCVD last week. Revenue officers were deployed all over the Philippines to visit and educate businesses on their tax compliance requirements,” BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. said.

“This nationwide taxpayer education campaign marks the BIR’s shift towards a taxpayer-centric agency, instead of the traditional goal-oriented government office.”

The initiative allowed business owners to verify their tax compliance, clarify requirements, and address any necessary corrective measures.

The number of daily visits increased throughout the campaign, reflecting the BIR’s widespread reach and proactive engagement with taxpayers.

Among the key findings, the BIR discovered that about 12% of visited establishments were unregistered. Many business owners were unaware of their registration obligations, reinforcing the need for sustained taxpayer education.

The agency plans to use these insights to improve business registration compliance and ensure that more enterprises operate legally.

Common compliance issues identified included the absence of business registration, failure to maintain books of accounts at business premises, and the lack of displayed certificates of registration.

Some establishments also needed to enhance record-keeping practices, such as timely bookkeeping and proper issuance of invoices.

The TCVD covered a wide range of industries, including retail, restaurants, healthcare, automotive, and construction supply businesses.

BIR officers provided direct guidance to help businesses address compliance deficiencies and meet tax regulations.

Beyond identifying violations, the drive aimed to build trust within the business community and promote voluntary compliance. Through direct engagement, the BIR demonstrated that tax compliance is manageable with proper support and guidance.

As the TCVD concludes, the BIR urges taxpayers to file their 2024 Annual Income Tax Return and settle their tax dues by April 15, 2025.

Those needing assistance are encouraged to visit their nearest BIR Revenue District Office (RDO) or access resources on the official BIR website.

“Taxpayer education leads to better voluntary compliance. Better services lead to better voluntary compliance. The BIR and the private sector will always be partners in nation-building,” Lumagui said.