BIR Launches Tax Assistance Program for Micro and Small Businesses

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has rolled out a taxpayer assistance and mentoring program for micro and small businesses in Makati, helping them comply with their tax obligations. In a statement, the agency announced that it expanded its taxpayer assistance push with the launch of the Micro and Small Taxpayers Assistance and Mentoring Program (MS-TAMP) by Revenue Region (RR) 8A–Makati on Sept.15. MS-TAMP extends guidance, direct assistance and mentoring to micro and small taxpayers to help them understand and comply with their tax obligations. BIR regional director and MS-TAMP executive sponsor Antonino Ilagan said the program is focused on taxpayer assistance rather than audit. “At its core, MS-TAMP is about helping taxpayers. Through data-driven monitoring, taxpayer education and coordinated assistance, we want to identify where guidance is needed, reach out early and help our micro and small taxpayers comply correctly,” he said. “This is not an audit program — it is an assistance and mentoring program,” Ilagan added. The agency also issued regional orders implementing MS-TAMP and establishing its organizational structure, the creation of the official RR 8A–Makati Viber Community Channel, an MS-TAMP infomercial and the ceremonial sending of assistance notices to taxpayers. BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza has commended BIR Makati for taking the initiative to bring assistance closer to micro and small taxpayers. “This is the kind of service we want to strengthen across the Bureau — helping taxpayers understand their obligations, addressing concerns early and making compliance easier,” Mendoza said. Source: Philstar Business