The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) recorded tax collection increases in 2024, led by intensified digitalization efforts and stricter enforcement.
“I commend both the BIR and BOC for their accomplishments this year. Their job is definitely not a walk in the park. Rest assured, we are working non-stop to strengthen the efficiency, transparency, and integrity of our tax system to inspire trust and compliance among our taxpayers,” Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said.
Data from the Bureau of the Treasury showed that as of end-November 2024, total tax collections reached P3.55 trillion, or 11.5 percent higher than in the same period last year.
BIR collection increased 13.9 percent to P2.67 trillion in the 11-month period, while Customs collection rose 4.7 percent to P850 billion.
Emerging total tax collections for the year are expected to reach P3.82 trillion, or 11.4 percent more than in 2023. As a percentage of GDP, this is equivalent to 14.4 percent, up from 14.1 percent the previous year.
The growth in tax collection is higher than the expected growth in nominal GDP for 2024 of 9.1 percent.
Among key contributors to the higher tax collection outcome is the BIR’s accelerated implementation of its digital transformation (DX) program. Of the 27 projects under the program, 16 were completed or in pilot or phased implementation as of end-November.
These projects are intended to provide taxpayers with modern, convenient, and accessible tools, as well as improve the bureau’s internal processes to ensure efficient public service delivery. Darwin G. Amojelar
Among the recently completed was the Online Registration and Update System (ORUS)—a web-based system that provides an end-to-end process for registration and updating of taxpayer registration information.
The BIR issued 470,387 digital tax identification number (TIN) IDs through the ORUS as of end-November.
