Photo credit: BIR

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is stepping up efforts to modernize the country’s tax system, this time with support from the Swiss business community.

BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza met with officials from the Swiss Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, led by Hans-Christian Baumann, during a meeting on April 8 to discuss ongoing tax reforms and how both sides can work more closely together.

At the center of the discussion were reforms under the BIR’s DARES program, which aims to improve transparency and make tax compliance easier for businesses. Among the key initiatives highlighted were system-assisted audit selection, the “Audit the Auditors” program, and the rollout of digital tools such as a new Taxpayer Portal and a unified electronic Letter of Authority set for the 2025 taxable year.

SwissCham welcomed these developments and signaled its willingness to help ensure that reforms are effectively carried out on the ground. The group said it would assist by relaying feedback from the business sector and supporting the rollout of the new systems.

The meeting underscores the BIR’s continued push to engage with industry stakeholders as it works toward building a more transparent, efficient, and predictable tax environment for businesses operating in the Philippines.