CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) — A friendly yet systematic approach to encourage more taxpayers to fulfill their tax obligations is being implemented by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to help achieve the province’s full collection target for 2025.
Lawyer Michael Remir Macatangay, regional director of BIR Revenue Region 9B Laguna-Quezon-Marinduque, said that the BIR adopts a more approachable way in serving taxpayers to encourage accurate tax payments and prevent any sense of intimidation.
“We always have to stay optimistic, it should always be that way, believing we can achieve our collection goals because the Bureau’s goal is not just ours, it is a shared goal. While the taxpayers are the ones paying, we are simply here to ensure that the correct amount is paid,” Macatangay said.
Aside from this approach, the bureau has also ramped up its efforts to reach taxpayers wherever they are by introducing various digital platforms including, the Online Registration and Update System (ORUS), the Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS), ePayment, Electronic Bureau of Internal Revenue Forms (eBIRForms), among others.
“Let us always remember one of our pillars, to provide excellent tax service. As we do in our region, we serve the people with excellence, always ready to assist and educate. We believe it is easier to gain compliance when taxpayers understand the processes, and this is the principle we uphold in our agency,” the director added.
During the Usapang PIA radio program interview, Macatangay also shared that within the first two months of 2025, BIR LaQueMar has collected Php7.73 million which is 11.31 percent higher compared to the same period in 2024.
The director said that together with the support of various Revenue District Offices in LaQueMar, they are optimistic that they can contribute to the BIR’s nationwide full collection target of Php3.23 trillion.
Lawyer Kay Templonuevo, Revenue District Officer of BIR District 056-Calamba City, Central Laguna, during the same radio interview, urged the public to comply with tax regulations and cooperate with the agency to avoid penalties.
She also reiterated that while the BIR continues to adopt a friendly approach towards taxpayers, it will likewise pursue fearless investigations into individuals and top industries that neglect their tax obligations.
“In our district office, our main focus will first be on the four pillars, which include fearless investigation. We need to strengthen the way we conduct audits and investigations. We will look into the top industries within our districts that have low compliance, and we will also focus on individuals who have not yet been audited, this also includes online sellers,” Templonuevo stated.
In line with the April 15 deadline of Annual Income Tax Return (AITR), BIR implemented the Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 034-2025 which provided taxpayers with clear guidelines in filing and paying their AITR for calendar year 2024, both electronically and manually.
Non-compliance may lead to penalties, which the BIR seeks to avoid as part of its efforts to assist taxpayers in fulfilling their obligations with greater ease. (CO/PIA-4A)
