Incoming BIR chief vows reforms as taxpayers await long-promised changes

Incoming Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Rolando Ligon Jr. has vowed to assist taxpayers who comply with their obligations while enforcing the law against tax evaders.

“We will provide taxpayer assistance to those who want to comply but will apply the full force of the law to those who deliberately dodge payment of taxes,” said Ligon.

Ligon succeeds Charlito Martin Mendoza Jr., who is moving to head the Bureau of Customs (BOC). He previously served as Department of Finance undersecretary for the Revenue Operations Group, overseeing policies and performance monitoring for both revenue agencies.

Ligon said he would sustain the BIR’s ongoing reform agenda, with priorities including anti-corruption safeguards, digital modernization, and improved taxpayer services. He also plans a five-year overhaul of the bureau’s core IT systems.

These commitments have figured prominently in previous BIR leadership transitions. Taxpayers will now be watching how much of Ligon’s reform agenda translates into actual improvements.