Privacy risks halt BIR’s registration seal display order

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has suspended its contentious order requiring taxpayers to display their registration seal badges on digital platforms amid growing scrutiny over data privacy concerns.

Under Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 113-2026, the BIR said it suspended the requirement until further notice while working with the National Privacy Commission to address the concerns.

READ: Deadline to display BIR registration seal badge extended to Oct. 31

In addition, taxpayers who have already complied can continue to display the badge voluntarily, while the authorities will not penalize those who have not complied. The BIR originally set an Oct. 31 deadline for taxpayers to post the badge.

Meanwhile, the registration seal requirement faced social media backlash as taxpayers expressed concerns about the personal information included on the badge, which features a QR code for verifying authenticity before transactions.

“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,” BIR Commissioner Charlie Mendoza said in a statement.

“The suspension will allow the BIR to address privacy and technical concerns and review the implementation of the requirement. We will work with the National Privacy Commission and consult affected taxpayers and stakeholders, consistent with the intent of the Ease of Paying Taxes Act to simplify compliance for all taxpayers,” he added.

Likewise, the badge was first mandated by RMC No. 38-2026, which required online sellers, service providers, and content creators to display it on their websites, social media, and other digital platforms.

READ: BIR to online businesses: Display Registration Seal Badge

Earlier, BIR launched the requirement as an alternative to displaying taxpayers’ full certificate of registration or electronic certificate of registration on digital platforms.

“We recognize that protecting personal information online presents different and more complex challenges than displaying a certificate of registration at a physical business establishment,” Mendoza added. /pai