The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), through Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 29-2025 , has officially increased the ceiling for de minimis benefits exempt from income tax and fringe benefits tax. This amendment updates RR No. 2-98 and provides welcome relief to both employers and employees. The regulation was issued pursuant to Sections 4, 33, and 244 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 , as amended. What Are De Minimis Benefits? De minimis benefits are facilities

What Corporations Must Know Before 2026 The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued SEC Memorandum Circular No. 15, Series of 2025 , introducing the Revised Beneficial Ownership Disclosure Rules —a sweeping regulatory update that significantly strengthens corporate transparency, anti-money laundering controls, and enforcement mechanisms in the Philippines. Set to take effect on 1 January 2026 , the new rules replace and consolidate earlier issuances and align Phil

For many years, documentary stamps were treated as a routine administrative requirement—purchased, affixed, and largely overlooked. With the issuance of Revenue Regulations No. 028-2025 , the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is clearly signaling a shift. The use of electronic Documentary Stamp Tax (eDST)  is no longer merely encouraged; for certain industries, it is becoming the expected standard. This development marks a significant change in how Documentary Stamp Tax is adm

EastWest Rural Bank v. PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (G.R. No. 273720) In a landmark ruling, the Philippine Supreme Court clarified the scope of bank secrecy in the age of cybercrime. The decision in EastWest Rural Bank v. Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group  resolves a long-standing tension between the Law on Secrecy of Bank Deposits  and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 —particularly on whether banks may be compelled to disclose account holder information duri

What This Means for the Future of Notary Services in the Philippines The Supreme Court of the Philippines has officially opened its doors for Electronic Notarization Facility (ENF) Providers to apply for accreditation—marking a major milestone in the country’s digital transformation of legal services. Beginning December 9, 2025, technology companies, platforms, and legal tech innovators can now seek Supreme Court accreditation to operate as ENF Providers under the Electronic

Disclaimer:   This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance on specific legal situations, consult a licensed attorney. When recent reports surfaced involving a public figure filing a qualified theft complaint against a sibling, many readers sought clarity on how Philippine law treats theft, qualified theft, and family exemptions. This article provides a neutral, simplified explanation of the relevant legal concepts—without re

(c) ABS-CBN News On September 12, 2025, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed into law Republic Act No. 12289 , also known as the Accelerated and Reformed Right-Of-Way (ARROW) Act . Sponsored by Sen. Mark Villar, the ARROW Act aims to streamline, modernize, and accelerate right-of-way (ROW) acquisition  for national infrastructure projects—while ensuring fair, transparent, and equitable compensation  for affected landowners. The law updates and amends key provision

(As of November 24, 2025) The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has issued Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 107-2025 , ordering a full suspension of all tax audits and field operations nationwide . This unprecedented move marks one of the most significant tax administration shifts in recent Philippine history. Businesses are now asking: How does this affect my ongoing audit, tax exposure, or next compliance cycle? If you are a corporate taxpayer, SME, professional, or ind

The tax landscape in the Philippines is seeing a major shift: Charlito Martin R. Mendoza  has been announced as the new Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) , replacing Romeo “Jun” Lumagui Jr. For businesses, taxpayers, and tax professionals, this is a development worth monitoring. As a leading CPA-law firm, Aureada CPA Law Firm  examines who Commissioner Mendoza is, the context behind this leadership change, and its possible implications for compliance, audit

Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of the Philippine economy. Recognizing their importance, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has proposed a major policy change to ease regulatory burdens — allowing more corporations to be exempt from filing audited financial statements. This initiative aims to reduce compliance costs and support the government’s broader goal of driving inclusive economic development. The SEC’s proposal, detailed in its p

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is moving to implement stricter limits on the interest rates and fees charged by lending and financing companies in the Philippines. This initiative is part of its intensified campaign to curb predatory lending while ensuring the sustainability of legitimate financial institutions. Key Highlights of the Proposal Under the draft circular on Recalibrated Ceilings on Interest Rates and Other Fees , the SEC proposes new rules for unsec

The Department of Finance (DOF) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) have recently submitted proposals to increase the ceilings for tax-exempt de minimis  benefits granted to employees. These are small-value benefits that employers provide — such as rice subsidies, uniform allowances, or medical assistance — which remain exempt from income tax up to prescribed limits. The proposal seeks to update those limits in recognition of the rising cost of living, inflation, and the

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has issued Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 26-2025 , dated September 5, 2025, amending the transitory provisions of RR No. 11-2025. This latest issuance formally extends the compliance period for the implementation of electronic invoicing (EIS) until December 31, 2026 . Under RR No. 11-2025, taxpayers covered by Sections 237 and 237-A of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), as amended by Republic Act No. 12066, were originally given one

What’s Being Talked About? Senator Erwin Tulfo publicly floated the idea of a one-month income tax holiday for employees , framed as...

The Supreme Court of the Philippines has approved the 2025 Transitory Rules on Electronic Filing and Service in the Supreme Court (A.M....

The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently issued Memorandum Circular No. 13, Series of 2025, establishing the...

(c) Rappler The Philippine Supreme Court has ruled that domestic businesses are entitled to the same value-added tax (VAT) incentives as...

Date of Approval:  September 18, 2025 Accredited Partner:  Atty. Yasser Ramos Aureada, CPA Accreditation Overview We are pleased to...

Introduction In 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued the Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) Rules  to regulate...

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has rolled out its Electronic Invoicing/Receipting System (EIS) as part of the government’s push for...