BIR: Over 6,000 applications received for micro taxpayers abatement program

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said Tuesday its one-time Abatement Program for Micro Taxpayers received more than 6,234 applications during the first two months of the initiative's implementation.

In a news release, the BIR said a total of 6,234 micro taxpayer applications have been filed as of September 18, 2026, of which 5,000 have been approved so far.

The approved applications covered P84,509,316.48 in tax liabilities and penalties, while P24,815,000.00 in abatement fees have been paid.

"Availment gained momentum following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s mention of the program in his State of the Nation Address and intensified information campaigns by our Revenue Regions. Upon the direction of Finance Secretary Frederick Go, we want to make sure that taxpayers who qualify know that this relief is available to them," said BITR Commissioner Charlito Mendoza.

The BIR is implementing the program under Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 4-2026, which covers qualified micro taxpayers with delinquent accounts as of December 31, 2025, preliminary or final assessments as of the same date, and open stop-filer cases including those involving taxpayers that have ceased business operations.

Under RR 4-2026, micro taxpayers with delinquent or assessed basic taxes and/or penalties totaling not more than P80,000 for a taxable year may apply for abatement, subject to the prescribed conditions.

Upon approval, the taxpayer pays an abatement fee of P5,000 per taxable year.

"With the program available until December 31, 2026, we encourage taxpayers who qualify to avail while there is still time. This is an opportunity to settle covered liabilities, clean up old tax records, and move forward in compliance," said Mendoza. — VDV, GMA News