Marcos Urges Citizens to Fulfill Their Tax Duties
MARCOS – President Marcos urged the public to fulfill their tax obligations, emphasizing the importance of contributing to national development.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called on Filipinos to fulfill their tax obligations, emphasizing that those who evade paying taxes will be held accountable. Speaking at the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)’s national tax campaign launch in Pasay, Marcos assured the public that the government remains committed to cracking down on tax evaders to ensure fairness in the system.
The President reported that the BIR collected over P2.85 trillion in taxes in 2024, surpassing the P2.52 trillion recorded in 2023. This remarkable achievement marks the highest tax revenue collected in the past two decades, reflecting the administration’s intensified efforts to enhance tax compliance and enforcement.
Marcos emphasized the significance of these collections, noting that the 2024 revenue could fund 1.14 million new schools, 190,133 kilometers of roads, and 167,014 rural health centers. This underscores the direct impact of tax payments on national development, infrastructure, and essential public services.
Efforts to strengthen tax collection have led to the registration of 74,656 new businesses in 2024, increasing the total number of registered taxpayers to nearly 5.7 million. Additionally, compliance checks on 307,028 establishments helped recover P257.01 million in unpaid taxes, further boosting revenue.
Marcos also highlighted the digital transformation of the BIR, mentioning the Online Registration and Update System and the electronic one-time transaction system. These advancements aim to simplify tax processes, making compliance easier and more efficient for businesses and individuals.
Furthermore, the government has intensified its crackdown on fraudulent transactions. The Run After Fake Transactions (RAFT) initiative has resulted in the filing of cases against tax fraudsters, recovering P4.33 billion in 2024, a significant increase from the P617.95 million collected in 2023.
The President also reported successful operations against illicit trade, particularly in smuggled cigarettes, vapes, and other excisable goods, which generated P110.33 million in additional revenue.
With these efforts, Marcos reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening the country’s tax system, ensuring fairness, and maximizing revenues to support national progress.
READ ALSO: Bongbong Marcos Hosts Dinner for Senators Amid INC Peace Rally