Amid Backlash, BIR Halts Online Tax Badge Display

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has suspended the mandatory online posting of its Registration Seal Badges for online sellers, content creators, service providers and other taxpayers after drawing backlash over data privacy and technical issues.

BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza ordered the suspension of the Oct. 31 compliance deadline and the mandatory posting requirement formalized under Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) 113-2026, until further notice.

“We recognize that protecting personal information online presents different and more complex challenges than displaying a COR (Certificate of Registration) at a physical business establishment,” he said on Monday, Oct. 26.

Mendoza said the pause would allow the BIR to address privacy and technical concerns and review the implementation of the requirement.

The agency will also work with the National Privacy Commission and consult affected taxpayers and other stakeholders, consistent with the intent of the Ease of Paying Taxes Act to simplify compliance for all taxpayers, he said.

“During the suspension, taxpayers may continue to display their Seal Badges voluntarily and no penalties will be imposed solely for non-display,” the BIR chief said.

The BIR said more than 52,700 COR with Registration Seal Badges have been secured by online sellers, service providers and content creators as of Oct.14.

The bureau introduced the registration seal badge under RMC 38-2026 on April 29 as an alternative to the online posting of the full COR.

Previously, the agency said the badges were designed to “protect the privacy and personal information” of online sellers, service providers and content creators.