Philippine Government Expands Online Tax Collection with UnionBank and BIR

The Philippine government has broadened its digital revenue network through a new agreement with UnionBank.

On 24 February, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the Bureau of the Treasury, and UnionBank signed a pact to integrate the bank’s UPay system into the national collection framework.

Citizens and corporations will now have access to expanded web and mobile channels for their financial obligations.

Taxpayers can use these upgraded platforms specifically to pay their internal revenue taxes alongside customs duties.

The move aligns with the broader administrative push to accelerate the digitalisation of government services and reduce administrative bottlenecks.

BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza highlighted that integrating UPay is a key part of the agency’s modernisation programme, designed to decrease reliance on physical queues and manual processing.

The new system will utilise electronic payment networks such as InstaPay, PayGate, and the Philippine Clearing House Corp.

Traditional over-the-counter payments will remain available at physical bank branches, according to UnionBank President and CEO Ana Maria Aboitiz Delgado.

She emphasised that this decision guarantees no taxpayer is left behind in the transition.

She added that the digital platform quickly transfers funds to the Treasury Single Account to help the government manage its liquidity.

National Treasurer Sharon P. Almanza noted that updating the payment infrastructure makes tax compliance easier whilst improving the monitoring of public funds.

For some time, the BIR has focused on moving a large volume of Philippine tax filings onto digital platforms. The latest collaboration serves as a natural extension of these continuing efforts.

Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Philippines based on an image by Freepik.

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