OH May Tax?

12/08/2026

📢 ADVISORY: eBIRForms System Unavailability

Dear Taxpayers,

Please be advised that the eBIRForms System is currently unavailable due to technical issues, effective August 10, 2026 at 2:00 PM.

🔹 System Affected: eBIRForms System
🔹 Reason: Technical Issues
🔹 Start: August 10, 2026 – 2:00 PM
🔹 End: To be announced

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding while the system issue is being addressed.

📌 Please stay tuned to our official page for further updates regarding the restoration of the eBIRForms System.

Thank you for your kind understanding.

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

🔔BIR DEADLINE REMINDER | August 10, 2026

Today is the deadline for certain monthly BIR filing, payment, and submission requirements, as applicable to your registered tax types and transactions.

Make sure to check and accomplish the following:

• BIR Form 1601-C — Monthly Remittance Return of Income Taxes Withheld on Compensation
• BIR Form 0619-E — Monthly Remittance Form for Creditable Income Taxes Withheld (Expanded)
• BIR Form 0619-F — Monthly Remittance Form for Final Income Taxes Withheld
• Monthly eSales Report — for taxpayers required to submit sales data from CRM/POS and other sales machines

Reminder: Not every requirement applies to every taxpayer. Always check your BIR Certificate of Registration and actual transactions to determine which filings apply to you.

File and pay on time to avoid unnecessary penalties, surcharge, and interest.

Good compliance today, less stress tomorrow.

— OH MAY TAX?
Your Personal Philippine Tax Buddy

01/08/2026

Filing and paying your taxes are important—but they are only part of BIR compliance.

Your Books of Accounts must also be properly registered, accurately maintained, supported by valid documents, and preserved for the required period.

Remember: Good bookkeeping is not about filling pages. It is about keeping complete, accurate, and reliable records that support your tax returns.

Save the full video, share it with a fellow taxpayer, and follow OH MAY TAX for practical and legally grounded Philippine tax education.

01/08/2026

📚 OH MAY TAX WEEKLY TAX TAKEAWAY

Books of Accounts: 5 Essential Rules Every Taxpayer Should Remember

Over the past week, we discussed one of the most misunderstood areas of Philippine tax compliance—Books of Accounts.

Many taxpayers believe that once they have filed their tax returns and paid the corresponding taxes, they have already completed their obligations to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

However, Philippine tax compliance extends beyond filing and payment.

Proper bookkeeping is not merely an accounting practice—it is a legal compliance responsibility for taxpayers engaged in trade, business, or the practice of a profession. Properly maintained Books of Accounts, together with invoices and supporting accounting records, help substantiate the information reported in tax returns and may be examined during a BIR audit or other authorized tax compliance verification.

Here are the five key lessons from this week’s series.

⸻

1️⃣ Filing and paying taxes do not complete all BIR compliance obligations.

Submitting tax returns and paying the correct taxes are fundamental responsibilities. However, taxpayers are likewise expected to maintain properly registered Books of Accounts (where applicable), issue the required invoices, and keep complete accounting records and supporting documents that substantiate the figures reported in their tax returns.

Tax compliance is a combination of accurate filing, proper bookkeeping, and complete documentation.

⸻

2️⃣ Every Book of Accounts serves a different accounting purpose.

Each Book of Accounts is intended to record specific types of transactions.

For example, journal entries, ledger balances, cash receipts, and cash disbursements each have their own proper accounting record.

Recording transactions in the appropriate book promotes accuracy, consistency, and reliable financial reporting.

The objective is not to fill every book, but to record each transaction where it properly belongs.

⸻

3️⃣ Blank pages do not automatically mean non-compliance.

A Book of Accounts may legitimately have no entries during a particular period if there were no transactions that should be recorded in that book.

What matters is that every actual transaction is recorded accurately, completely, and consistently in the appropriate accounting record.

For prolonged periods of complete business inactivity, some Revenue District Offices may recommend a simple “No Transactions” notation as an administrative or audit practice. This, however, is generally not a universal statutory requirement and should not be confused with a mandatory rule applicable in every situation.

⸻

4️⃣ Buying Books of Accounts is only the first step.

Purchasing blank accounting books does not automatically authorize their use.

For taxpayers using manual Books of Accounts, registration is generally completed through the BIR Online Registration and Update System (ORUS), which generates a QR Code Stamp that is printed and affixed to the first page of the registered book in accordance with current BIR procedures.

Taxpayers who adopt Loose-Leaf Books of Accounts or Computerized Books of Accounts/Computerized Accounting Systems follow separate registration, permit, or acknowledgment requirements under applicable BIR issuances before recording transactions.

The applicable procedure depends on the taxpayer’s chosen bookkeeping method and registration with the BIR.

⸻

5️⃣ Good bookkeeping is a continuing compliance responsibility.

Proper bookkeeping does not end after recording transactions.

As a general rule under Revenue Regulations No. 7-2024, Books of Accounts and other accounting records should generally be preserved for at least five (5) years, reckoned from the day following the deadline for filing the return, or from the actual filing date if the return was filed after the deadline, for the taxable year in which the last entry was made. Longer retention may be required where there is a pending audit, protest, claim, or other matter provided by law.

Maintaining complete, accurate, and reliable accounting records helps taxpayers support their tax returns, respond to BIR examinations, and demonstrate compliance with Philippine tax laws.

⸻

💡 The Golden Rule

Good bookkeeping is not about filling pages.

It is about maintaining complete, accurate, and reliable accounting records that support your tax returns and reflect your actual business transactions.

When maintained properly, your Books of Accounts become one of your strongest tools for demonstrating compliance and protecting your business during a tax examination.

⸻

Primary Legal References

* National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, particularly Sections 232–235
* Republic Act No. 11976 (Ease of Paying Taxes Act)
* Revenue Regulations No. 7-2024
* Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 3-2023
* Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 91-2024
* Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 65-2025
* Other applicable BIR issuances governing Manual, Loose-Leaf, and Computerized Books of Accounts

⸻

Educational Disclaimer

This post is provided for general educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, or accounting advice. Compliance requirements may vary depending on the taxpayer’s registration, bookkeeping method, business activities, and applicable BIR laws and issuances. For concerns relating to your specific circumstances, consult a qualified tax professional or coordinate with your Revenue District Office (RDO).

01/08/2026

📚𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬: 𝟓 𝐄𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫

Over the entire week, we discussed one of the most misunderstood areas of Philippine tax compliance—Books of Accounts.

Many taxpayers believe that once they have filed their tax returns and paid the corresponding taxes, they have already completed their obligations to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

However, Philippine tax compliance extends beyond filing and payment.

Proper bookkeeping is not merely an accounting practice—it is a legal compliance responsibility for taxpayers engaged in trade, business, or the practice of a profession. Properly maintained Books of Accounts, together with invoices and supporting accounting records, help substantiate the information reported in tax returns and may be examined during a BIR audit or other authorized tax compliance verification.

Here are the five key lessons from this week’s series.

1️⃣ Filing and paying taxes do not complete all BIR compliance obligations.

Submitting tax returns and paying the correct taxes are fundamental responsibilities. However, taxpayers are likewise expected to maintain properly registered Books of Accounts (where applicable), issue the required invoices, and keep complete accounting records and supporting documents that substantiate the figures reported in their tax returns.

Tax compliance is a combination of accurate filing, proper bookkeeping, and complete documentation.

2️⃣ Every Book of Accounts serves a different accounting purpose.

Each Book of Accounts is intended to record specific types of transactions.

For example, journal entries, ledger balances, cash receipts, and cash disbursements each have their own proper accounting record.

Recording transactions in the appropriate book promotes accuracy, consistency, and reliable financial reporting.

The objective is not to fill every book, but to record each transaction where it properly belongs.

3️⃣ Blank pages do not automatically mean non-compliance.

A Book of Accounts may legitimately have no entries during a particular period if there were no transactions that should be recorded in that book.

What matters is that every actual transaction is recorded accurately, completely, and consistently in the appropriate accounting record.

For prolonged periods of complete business inactivity, some Revenue District Offices may recommend a simple “No Transactions” notation as an administrative or audit practice. This, however, is generally not a universal statutory requirement and should not be confused with a mandatory rule applicable in every situation.

4️⃣ Buying Books of Accounts is only the first step.

Purchasing blank accounting books does not automatically authorize their use.

For taxpayers using manual Books of Accounts, registration is generally completed through the BIR Online Registration and Update System (ORUS), which generates a QR Code Stamp that is printed and affixed to the first page of the registered book in accordance with current BIR procedures.

Taxpayers who adopt Loose-Leaf Books of Accounts or Computerized Books of Accounts/Computerized Accounting Systems follow separate registration, permit, or acknowledgment requirements under applicable BIR issuances before recording transactions.

The applicable procedure depends on the taxpayer’s chosen bookkeeping method and registration with the BIR.

5️⃣ Good bookkeeping is a continuing compliance responsibility.

Proper bookkeeping does not end after recording transactions.

As a general rule under Revenue Regulations No. 7-2024, Books of Accounts and other accounting records should generally be preserved for at least five (5) years, reckoned from the day following the deadline for filing the return, or from the actual filing date if the return was filed after the deadline, for the taxable year in which the last entry was made. Longer retention may be required where there is a pending audit, protest, claim, or other matter provided by law.

Maintaining complete, accurate, and reliable accounting records helps taxpayers support their tax returns, respond to BIR examinations, and demonstrate compliance with Philippine tax laws.

⸻

💡 The Golden Rule

Good bookkeeping is not about filling pages.

It is about maintaining complete, accurate, and reliable accounting records that support your tax returns and reflect your actual business transactions.

When maintained properly, your Books of Accounts become one of your strongest tools for demonstrating compliance and protecting your business during a tax examination.

⸻

Primary Legal References

* National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, particularly Sections 232–235
* Republic Act No. 11976 (Ease of Paying Taxes Act)
* Revenue Regulations No. 7-2024
* Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 3-2023
* Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 91-2024
* Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 65-2025
* Other applicable BIR issuances governing Manual, Loose-Leaf, and Computerized Books of Accounts

⸻

𝘌𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘳
𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘭, 𝘵𝘢𝘹, 𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦. 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘷𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘹𝘱𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳’𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘥, 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘉𝘐𝘙 𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴. 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘮𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴, 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘢 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘹 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘶𝘦 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘵 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦 (𝘙𝘋𝘖).

30/07/2026

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY!

Deadline today for the filing and payment of Quarterly Expanded Withholding Tax for Q2 2026.

BIR Form: 1601EQ
Tax Type: WE
Return Period: June 30, 2026
Period Covered: April 1–June 30, 2026

Prepare the return based on the applicable BIR Forms 2307 issued during the quarter.

File and pay on time to avoid penalties, surcharges, and interest.

30/07/2026

𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟑 𝐎𝐅 𝟑 — 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒📚

CAN YOU START USING YOUR BOOKS OF ACCOUNTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER BUYING THEM?

Purchasing blank journals or ledgers from a bookstore does not, by itself, make them registered Books of Accounts.

Before recording transactions, taxpayers must comply with the BIR registration rules applicable to their chosen bookkeeping method. The exact procedure and deadline depend on whether the taxpayer is newly registered or already operating, and whether the books are manual, loose-leaf, or computerized.

For manual Books of Accounts

For a new business registrant, manual books generally must be registered before the deadline for filing the initial quarterly income tax return or the annual income tax return, whichever comes earlier.

This means registration is not necessarily required on the exact date the business itself is registered. However, the taxpayer must complete the book-registration process within the prescribed period and accurately record the transactions covered by the applicable accounting period.

For an existing taxpayer registering a new, additional, or subsequent manual volume, the new book must be registered before it is used.

Manual books are also not required to be re-registered every year. An existing registered book may continue to be used until its pages are substantially consumed. When a replacement or additional volume is needed, the new volume must be registered before use.

Registration through ORUS

Under current BIR procedures, registration of Books of Accounts is generally completed through the Online Registration and Update System or ORUS.

After successful registration, ORUS generates a QR Stamp containing the taxpayer and book-registration details. For manual books and permanently bound loose-leaf books, the taxpayer must print and affix the QR Stamp to the first page of the registered book.

Manual processing at the Revenue District Office may still be allowed in limited circumstances, such as officially recognized ORUS downtime or properly documented technical problems, subject to the applicable BIR procedures.

For loose-leaf and computerized books

Loose-leaf and computerized bookkeeping systems follow different requirements.

Before using these systems, the taxpayer must first obtain the applicable Permit to Use or Acknowledgment Certificate, as required by BIR regulations. A taxpayer who begins operating a loose-leaf or computerized system without the necessary authority may still be exposed to compliance findings even if the records are registered later.

After the close of the taxable year:

* permanently bound loose-leaf Books of Accounts are generally registered within 15 days; and
* computerized Books of Accounts are generally registered within 30 days.

These deadlines may be extended through a specific BIR issuance when system difficulties or other circumstances justify an extension. RMC No. 4-2026, for example, reiterated the mandatory ORUS process and addressed extensions and alternative procedures for documented system issues.

What if the ORUS information is incorrect?

Do not simply create a duplicate registration, replace the book, alter the QR Stamp, or backdate the records.

If you entered an incorrect taxable year, volume number, validity period, or other material information, retain the erroneous registration record and coordinate promptly with your Revenue District Office for the appropriate corrective procedure.

Similarly, never execute an affidavit of loss for books that were never actually registered or lost. Corrections must truthfully reflect what occurred.

The key takeaway

Buying the books is only the first step.

The applicable registration deadline depends on:

* whether you are a new or existing taxpayer;
* whether the book is an initial or subsequent volume; and
* whether your bookkeeping method is manual, loose-leaf, or computerized.

Complete the proper BIR registration process, preserve your QR Stamp or authorization documents, and maintain records that accurately reflect your actual transactions.

SERIES RECAP

Day 1: Filing and paying taxes do not, by themselves, complete all bookkeeping obligations.

Day 2: Not every registered book must contain an entry every day. Record each transaction in the appropriate accounting record.

Day 3: Purchasing blank books does not complete registration. Follow the applicable BIR procedure and deadline before using them.

Primary legal references

* Section 232, National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended
* Republic Act No. 11976, or the Ease of Paying Taxes Act
* Revenue Regulations No. 7-2024
* Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 3-2023
* Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 91-2024
* Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 65-2025
* Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 4-2026
* Other applicable BIR issuances governing manual, loose-leaf, and computerized Books of Accounts

𝘌𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘳: 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘢𝘹 𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝘵𝘢𝘹𝘱𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳’𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺.

29/07/2026

𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟐 𝐎𝐅 𝟑 — 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒📚

DO ALL REGISTERED BOOKS OF ACCOUNTS NEED TO CONTAIN ENTRIES?

One of the most common misconceptions among taxpayers is that every registered Book of Accounts must contain entries at all times.

Because of this misunderstanding, some taxpayers copy the same transaction into multiple books or make unnecessary entries simply to avoid leaving pages blank.

This is not proper bookkeeping.

Each Book of Accounts serves a specific accounting purpose. Transactions should be recorded only in the book where they properly belong, based on the taxpayer’s registered bookkeeping system and the nature of the transaction.

For example:

• General Journal – Records journal entries, adjusting entries, correcting entries, and other transactions that are not initially recorded in special journals.

• General Ledger – Summarizes the balances of each account based on journal postings.

• Cash Receipts Journal – Records cash collections and other cash receipts.

• Cash Disbursements Journal – Records cash payments and other cash disbursements.

Many freelancers, professionals, and sole proprietors are familiar with these four books. However, the exact Books of Accounts that a taxpayer is required to maintain may vary depending on the taxpayer’s registration, bookkeeping system, business activities, and applicable BIR requirements.

Some taxpayers may maintain additional accounting records, such as Sales Journals, Purchase Journals, subsidiary ledgers, inventory records, or other books necessary for their business operations.

Accordingly, it is perfectly normal for certain books to have few or even no entries during a particular period, provided that no transactions requiring recording in those books actually occurred.

For example:

• A freelancer who only receives collections during the month but incurs no business cash payments may have entries in the Cash Receipts Journal but none in the Cash Disbursements Journal.

• A business with no adjusting entries during the accounting period may have no new entries in the General Journal.

• A taxpayer with no cash collections on a particular day is not expected to create artificial entries simply to fill blank pages.

Blank pages do not automatically mean non-compliance.

What matters is that every actual transaction is recorded accurately, completely, and in the proper accounting record.

Likewise, taxpayers should never duplicate the same transaction across multiple books merely to make every book appear “complete.” Incorrect or duplicated recording may create inconsistencies between the Books of Accounts, supporting documents, and tax returns, which may become issues during a BIR audit or tax compliance verification.

For businesses that experience extended periods of complete inactivity, some tax practitioners and certain Revenue District Offices recommend making a simple notation (for example, “No transactions for the period”) as a practical recordkeeping measure. While this is not a general statutory requirement for every blank page, it may help demonstrate that the books were actively maintained during periods when no business transactions occurred. Taxpayers should follow the guidance of their respective Revenue District Office when applicable.

Remember:

The objective of bookkeeping is accuracy—not filling every page.

A properly maintained Book of Accounts reflects the taxpayer’s actual business activities, follows the registered bookkeeping system, and provides reliable support for the information reported in tax returns.

Tomorrow, we’ll answer another question that causes confusion among many new business owners and freelancers:

📖 Day 3: Can you start recording transactions immediately after purchasing your Books of Accounts?

The answer depends on the applicable BIR registration rules—and getting it wrong may result in compliance issues.

⸻

Primary Legal References

• Section 232, National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended — Keeping of Books of Accounts

• Republic Act No. 11976 (Ease of Paying Taxes Act)

• Revenue Regulations No. 7-2024 — Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Ease of Paying Taxes Act

• Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 91-2024 — Guidelines on the registration of Manual Books of Accounts through ORUS

• Other applicable BIR issuances governing Manual, Loose-Leaf, and Computerized Books of Accounts

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𝘌𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘳
𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘭, 𝘵𝘢𝘹, 𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘷𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘹𝘱𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳’𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘉𝘐𝘙 𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴. 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘵, 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘶𝘦 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘵 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦.

28/07/2026

𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟏 𝐎𝐅 𝟑 — 𝐁𝐈𝐑'𝐬 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒📚

YOUR TAX RETURNS MAY BE FILED. YOUR TAXES MAY BE PAID. BUT YOUR COMPLIANCE MAY STILL BE INCOMPLETE.

Many taxpayers assume that filing their returns and paying the corresponding taxes already completes their obligations to the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

However, Philippine tax compliance goes beyond filing and payment.

Persons engaged in trade, business, or the practice of a profession are generally required to keep Books of Accounts and other accounting records that properly reflect their transactions. These records support the figures reported in tax returns and may be examined by the BIR during an authorized audit, verification, or other lawful examination.

Your Books of Accounts should generally be:

✔ properly registered under the applicable BIR procedure and deadline;

✔ maintained using the bookkeeping method applicable to your registration—manual, loose-leaf, or computerized;

✔ supported by valid invoices and other source documents;

✔ updated to reflect actual business transactions; and

✔ reconcilable with the amounts reported in your tax returns.

Under current BIR procedures, Books of Accounts are generally registered through the Online Registration and Update System or ORUS. For books registered through ORUS, the system generates a QR Code Stamp that serves as proof of registration. The taxpayer prints and affixes the QR Code Stamp to the first page of manual and permanently bound loose-leaf books.

The applicable deadline depends on the taxpayer and the type of books involved.

For a new business registrant using manual books, registration must be completed before the deadline for the initial quarterly income tax return or annual income tax return, whichever comes earlier.

For an existing taxpayer registering subsequent manual books, the books must be registered before use.

Permanently bound loose-leaf and computerized books are subject to their own registration procedures, permits or acknowledgment requirements, and post-year-end deadlines.

This means that registration is not necessarily required at the exact moment the business itself is registered. However, the taxpayer must still comply within the prescribed period and must not use books contrary to the applicable BIR rules.

It is also important to understand that the commonly mentioned four-book set—General Journal, General Ledger, Cash Receipts Journal, and Cash Disbursements Journal—is not an absolute rule for every taxpayer.

The appropriate books may vary depending on the taxpayer’s:

• nature and volume of transactions;
• registered bookkeeping system;
• business activities; and
• applicable BIR requirements.

Some taxpayers may also require additional books or subsidiary records, such as a Sales Journal, Purchase Journal, inventory records, or other supporting schedules.

The key point is this:

Filing and paying the correct taxes does not automatically establish that your bookkeeping requirements have also been satisfied.

Your Books of Accounts should accurately support your declared sales, collections, disbursements, withholding taxes, assets, liabilities, capital movements, and other reportable transactions.

In the next posts:

Day 2: Do all registered Books of Accounts need to contain entries?

Day 3: When can you begin recording transactions in your Books of Accounts?

Primary legal references

• Section 232, National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended
• Republic Act No. 11976, or the Ease of Paying Taxes Act
• Revenue Regulations No. 7-2024, as amended
• Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 91-2024
• Other applicable BIR issuances governing manual, loose-leaf, and computerized Books of Accounts

𝘌𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘳: 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘢𝘹 𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺. 𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝘵𝘢𝘹𝘱𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳’𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺.