A Compliance Guide for Philippine Corporations By Aureada CPA Law Firm The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has officially released the 2026 filing guidelines for Annual Financial Statements (AFS) and General Information Sheets (GIS) under Memorandum Circular No. 9, Series of 2026. All corporations—domestic and foreign—are reminded to review the updated filing schedule and ensure timely compliance through the SEC’s Electronic Filing and Submission Tool (eFAST). Below

A Regulatory Risk Analysis by Aureada CPA Law Firm The Securities and Exchange Commission’s 2026 Rules of Procedure represent more than a procedural update. They signal a structural shift in how enforcement actions will move — faster, more decisive, and less tolerant of delay. For companies operating in regulated spaces — fintech, online lending, capital markets, real estate pooling, digital asset trading — this change is not theoretical. It directly alters risk exposure. The

What Corporations, Compliance Officers, and Counsel Must Know A Regulatory Impact Analysis by Aureada CPA Law Firm On 11 February 2026 , the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Memorandum Circular No. 8, Series of 2026 , adopting the 2026 Rules of Procedure of the Securities and Exchange Commission  (the “2026 SEC Rules”). This issuance replaces the 2016 Rules of Procedure  and introduces significant procedural refinements affecting: Corporations and directors Com

The recent arrest of small business owner and food vlogger Deo “Diwata” Balbuena  has sparked widespread discussion about government enforcement and business compliance. While the case is not purely an SSS case, it serves as a powerful reminder that non-compliance with mandatory government obligations—especially SSS—can quickly escalate into legal action , even for micro and small enterprises. This article aims to guide employers on SSS compliance , explain what to do at ever

The Social Security System (SSS)  plays a critical role in protecting Filipino workers by providing benefits for retirement, sickness, disability, maternity, and death . However, in recent years, SSS has been at the center of multiple issues—from employer non-compliance and enforcement actions  to internal audit findings, system failures, and major policy changes . This article breaks down the most recent SSS-related issues, including lessons from high-profile compliance case

A Practical Guide for Philippine Taxpayers Many taxpayers ask a straightforward but important question: “How does the BIR decide who to audit—and how can we avoid being flagged?” Under updated regulations for 2026, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has clarified the audit selection criteria and risk indicators it uses in identifying taxpayers for audit. These are set out under Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) No. 1-2026 , particularly Annex A , which now serves as the princi

What the New BIR Audit Rules Mean for You If you have a pending Letter of Authority (LOA) from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), 2026 is not a year to wait and see . The BIR has officially lifted the suspension of tax audits and rolled out a reformed audit framework  that will directly affect how your audit proceeds, how broad it becomes, and how much risk you may be exposed to. This guide is written for taxpayers with pending LOAs —business owners, executives, profession

January 27, 2026  marks a major turning point for Philippine taxpayers. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has officially lifted the suspension on tax audits and field operations through Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 8-2026 , ending the pause imposed under RMC No. 107-2025  last November. Effective immediately, all audit and enforcement activities are set to resume—but under a reformed, tighter, and more accountable audit framework . This development is highly signi

Published:  24 January 2026 Effective:  Immediately upon publication Issued by:  Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Philippines The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued SEC Memorandum Circular No. 6, Series of 2026 , introducing a significant change that simplifies the process of increasing a corporation’s authorized capital stock (ACS)  when the subscription is paid in cash. This development is a welcome move for corporations, startups, and growing busi

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued SEC Memorandum Circular No. 7, Series of 2026 , which sets out comprehensive rules on the term limit of Independent Directors (IDs) of publicly-listed companies (PLCs). The issuance aims to strengthen corporate governance, reinforce director independence, and align Philippine regulations with international best practices. Coverage The Circular applies to companies with a class of equities listed for trading on an exchang

Getting a Letter of Authority (LOA) from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) can instantly make anyone anxious. For most taxpayers, it signals one thing: an audit is coming . But before you stress out, gather documents, or entertain anyone claiming to be from the BIR, there’s one important question you should ask first: Is This LOA Actually Valid? Thanks to a new BIR initiative, you can now check that yourself— online . A New Tool to Protect Taxpayers In January 2026 , the

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced significant updates to corporate disclosure requirements with the release of SEC Memorandum Circular No. 15, Series of 2025 , paving the way for the full implementation of the Beneficial Ownership (BO) Disclosure Rules of 2026 . These changes aim to streamline corporate filings, improve transparency, and strengthen regulatory oversight—particularly in identifying the true owners and controllers of corporations. What’s

Updated for Philippine Businesses | January 2026 Running a business in the Philippines just got a little easier—especially for small and growing companies. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has officially increased the audit threshold under its latest issuance, SEC Memorandum Circular No. 4, Series of 2026 . This update reduces compliance costs for many corporations while maintaining accountability and transparency. If you own, manage, or advise a business, here’s

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has rolled out a new reform agenda called BIR D.A.R.E.S.  — and one key message stands out for taxpayers and businesses: Audits will resume, but under “new rules.” If you currently have a pending Letter of Authority (LOA) , were recently flagged for audit, or simply want to avoid surprises once field audits return, this serves as your early heads-up. Below is a simplified guide to: what BIR DARES  means, what changes to expect  when audits

A Practical Guide for Businesses (2026) At our firm, we regularly assist businesses facing issues with local taxes and permit-related charges imposed by cities and municipalities. These disputes often arise during business permit renewal or after receipt of a demand or assessment from the local treasurer. This guide explains—clearly and practically—the remedies available under Philippine law for local tax and local fee disputes ( excluding real property tax ), including the p

As the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) continues to enforce stricter compliance and digitalization measures, businesses using Loose-Leaf Books of Accounts  must be aware of the 2026 registration deadlines and requirements  applicable to Taxable Year 2025 . This article provides a clear and updated guide on binding deadlines, ORUS registration procedures, and compliance reminders  for 2026. What Are Loose-Leaf Books of Accounts? Loose-leaf books allow businesses to record tra

CPA–Law Firm’s Smart Reminder for Businesses and Branches As we enter business permit renewal season for 2026 , all Philippine-registered businesses—whether service, trading, or manufacturing —are reminded that compliance with local government unit (LGU) requirements  is not merely administrative but tax-critical . This guide provides a concise yet technically sound reminder , aligned with the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160)  and prevailing LGU ordinances, using Makat

If you’re a business owner, employer, or taxpayer in the Philippines, 2026 is a critical compliance year  because most annual reportorial requirements for Taxable Year 2025 (Calendar Year: Jan–Dec 2025)  are due January to April 2026 . This guide summarizes the 2026 BIR annual deliverables  (Inventory List, Loose-Leaf/CAS, Alphalists, and Annual ITR) plus the key LGU renewal requirement  to help you avoid penalties and BIR audit exposure. Quick 2026 Deadline Table (Taxable Ye

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued SEC Memorandum Circular No. 1, Series of 2026 , introducing significant amendments to the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Act of 2009. These changes are intended to modernize the Philippine REIT framework, align it with regional standards, and strengthen investor protection. For REIT sponsors, fund managers, property owners, and investors, these updates carry important

Calendar Year Ended 2025 | SEC and BIR Compliance (Philippines) As we enter 2026 , companies and taxpayers in the Philippines must prepare for the submission of Audited Financial Statements (AFS)  for the calendar year ended December 31, 2025 . With new and reinforced regulations from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)  and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) , compliance is now more structured, digital, and strictly enforced . This guide explains: Who is required