BIR fast-tracks e-services as collections climb

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is charging full speed ahead with its digital transformation, introducing a suite of modernization programs aimed at streamlining taxpayer services, boosting compliance, and enhancing transparency—while riding high on a strong first-half performance.

“We’ve been ramping up all these e-services so people no longer have to go to our offices or banks. You can now do it all online,” said BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. in a statement Tuesday. “About 90 percent of payments are now made online.”

At the heart of this digital push is the nationwide rollout of e-lounges—modern hubs in district offices where taxpayers can register, file, and pay electronically with help from on-site staff, internet access, and printing facilities.

“That’s what we’re really proud of right now,” Lumagui said. 

“These e-lounges make the experience faster and more convenient, especially for those unfamiliar with the online process.”

Another major initiative is the upcoming electronic invoicing system, which will allow real-time reporting of transactions directly to the BIR.

“Every time a business issues an invoice, it will instantly be recorded in our system and sent to the customer. This gives us real-time visibility into taxpayer activity,” Lumagui explained.

The agency is also enhancing its online registration system, which already supports new business sign-ups and the issuance of digital Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) IDs.

“We’re going the extra mile to make it easier for taxpayers,” Lumagui said, citing extended office hours during the estate tax amnesty deadline, when BIR branches remained open until midnight to accommodate last-minute filers.

These reforms are already paying off. The BIR recently exceeded its first-half revenue target of ₱1.5 trillion by 0.5 percent, thanks in part to its modernization drive.

With digital tools making taxes easier and more accessible, the BIR is not just collecting more—it’s rebuilding trust and bringing public service into the digital age.