RBETS launched to ease tax compliance for enterprises

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), has launched the Registered Business Enterprise Taxpayer Service (RBETS), a new initiative aimed at simplifying tax compliance for more than 5,900 Registered Business Enterprises (RBEs) operating in the Philippines.

RBETS is a specialized office within the BIR designed exclusively to serve RBEs, marking a shift from a traditional enforcement-focused tax system to a service-oriented partnership model that supports investors and economic zone locators.

The creation of RBETS is a key component of Republic Act No. 12066 (CREATE MORE Act), a reform law backed by the DTI and the Department of Finance (DOF) to strengthen the Philippines’ competitiveness as an investment destination by addressing long-standing concerns over complex tax procedures.

By institutionalizing dedicated taxpayer assistance within the BIR, the government aims to streamline compliance requirements faced by strategic investors, particularly those registered with investment promotion agencies and operating in economic zones.

 

DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque said the new system is intended to give businesses back “precious time and resources,” allowing entrepreneurs to focus on expansion and growth rather than administrative hurdles.

Under RBETS, key reforms include removing redundant tax ruling requirements and providing clearer guidelines on value-added tax (VAT) zero-rating for local purchases, both of which have long been cited by investors as sources of uncertainty and delays.

“When we streamline compliance, we build trust. And when we build trust, we attract the capital that creates high-quality jobs for the Filipino people,” Roque said.

Finance Secretary Frederick Go described RBETS as a critical institutional reform that helps ensure the country’s fiscal incentive system remains both fair and responsive to investor needs.

“RBETS is a clear signal of the government’s commitment to enable businesses to thrive,” Go said. “It tells investors that ‘we hear you, we are improving, and we are here to serve you better.’ At the same time, this reform significantly strengthens revenue protection.”

The BIR and DTI said the activation of RBETS is expected to reassure both domestic and foreign investors by promoting a more predictable and investor-friendly tax environment through a “one-stop” service model focused on transparency and ease of operations.

As both agencies continue to finalize implementing rules for the Enhanced Deduction Regime under the CREATE MORE Act, the government said the reforms underscore that the Philippines is actively retooling its bureaucracy to support investors as partners in national economic growth.