By Wilnard Bacelonia
MANILA – Online sellers, content creators and other digital taxpayers will no longer be required to display their Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Registration Seal Badges starting Oct. 31, following the agency’s suspension of the requirement amid data privacy concerns and technical difficulties.
BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza ordered the suspension on Monday through Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 113-2026, putting on hold the mandatory online posting of the registration badge until further notice.
“We have heard the concerns of online sellers, content creators, and other taxpayers regarding data privacy, technical issues, and the scope of the BIR Registration Seal Badge requirement,” Mendoza said in a statement.
The directive also protects taxpayers from penalties solely for failing to display the badge during the suspension period.
Senator Bam Aquino welcomed the decision, emphasizing the need to ease regulatory burdens on small businesses and digital entrepreneurs.
“Maraming salamat, BIR, sa pagsuspinde ng Registration Seal Badge. Patuloy nating pakinggan ang hinaing ng ating kababayan at pagaanin ang pagnenegosyo, lalo na para sa maliliit na negosyante, content creator, at online seller (Thank you, BIR, for suspending the Registration Seal Badge. Let us continue listening to the concerns of our fellow Filipinos and make doing business easier, especially for small entrepreneurs, content creators, and online sellers),” Aquino said in a separate statement.
The registration badge was introduced on April 29 under RMC No. 38-2026 as an alternative to posting the full Certificate of Registration (COR) online, in compliance with Revenue Regulations Nos. 7-2024 and 15-2024 issued under the Ease of Paying Taxes Act.
The requirement was subsequently supplemented by RMC Nos. 64-2026 and 99-2026.
However, Mendoza acknowledged that protecting personal information online presents different and more complex challenges than displaying registration certificates at physical business establishments.
“The suspension will allow the BIR to address privacy and technical concerns and review the implementation of the requirement,” he said.
He said the bureau would coordinate with the National Privacy Commission and consult affected taxpayers and stakeholders to determine appropriate safeguards before deciding how to proceed.
Under the circular, taxpayers who have already obtained their registration badges may continue displaying them voluntarily on their online platforms.
The suspension does not abolish the registration badge system or remove other applicable tax registration obligations.
Mendoza said the policy review would remain consistent with the Ease of Paying Taxes Act’s objective of simplifying tax compliance while protecting taxpayer information.
“Our commitment remains the same: to protect taxpayers, make compliance easier, and deliver the quality of service you deserve,” he said. (PNA)
