BIR on track in collecting taxes

CEBU, Philippines — As Central Visayas successfully achieved its tax collection goal last 2024, Bureau Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. expressed confidence in the vision to achieve ?3.2 trillion nationwide for 2025.

Addressing thousands of revenuers and taxpayers during the 2025 BIR Tax Campaign held yesterday, Lumagui emphasized the essence of continuing reforms and cooperation in achieving the objective.

Lumagui thanked all the taxpayers and BIR employees in the region for the milestones achieved last year, especially the ?2.85 trillion tax collection tax for 2024.

The tax collected marked a 13% increase which was the highest and the first time in two decades that the BIR met its target set by Development Budget Coordination Committee.

"Of course, the Revenue region 13, and the large taxpayer Cebu contributed substantially to this achievement," said Lumagui.

With this year's theme “Buwis ng Tapat, Tagumpay ng Lahat”, the BIR is optimistic in achieving the ?3.2 trillion vision for 2025.

The bureau urged Filipinos to contribute their fair share to national development regardless of status and background. Lumagui reminded taxpayers that taxes aren’t merely financial obligations but investments in the country's future.

"Taxes, often seen as a burden or a necessity are in fact, the lifeblood of our society. The schools where our children learn, they support our healthcare system where our loved ones are cared for. They maintain our roads and infrastructure that we rely on each and every day," Lumagui said.

As part of the 2025 campaign, the BIR is implementing in tax awareness programs to instill the civic duty among Filipinos.

BIR-13 recently launched the week-long Friendly Tax Compliance Verification Drive led by regional director Douglas Rufino and officials of Revenue District Office-81 Cebu City North.

The drive aimed at encouraging taxpayers in resolving tax issues to help them correct any non-compliance before penalties are imposed. The revenuers also educated taxpayers about their obligations and the benefits of timely and accurate tax payments and held a series of seminars and enforcement measures to ensure that individuals and businesses fulfill their tax duties.

Yesterday's event also recognized the Top 3 individual and non-individual taxpayers from each district office under BIR-13. The district offices include RDO-80 Mandaue, RDO-81 Cebu City North, RDO-82 Cebu City South, RDO-83 Talisay City, and RDO-84 Tagbilaran City, Bohol. — (FREEMAN)