Senator Francis Pangilinan has filed a bill seeking to extend the estate tax amnesty until 31 December 2028, citing persistent challenges that many Filipino families face in settling obligations related to inherited properties.

Pangilinan noted that while previous extensions have been granted, financial hardships, documentation gaps, and complex probate requirements continue to prevent middle- and low-income families from fully complying with estate tax laws.

These obstacles often require legal expertise and resources that many families simply cannot afford, according to Pangilinan. He then emphasized that the extension would help prevent the imposition of massive fines and penalties.

The bill also aims to remove barriers to the timely settlement of estates and to provide a “clear, fair, and flexible pathway to compliance,” he said in the explanatory note.

“By supporting the orderly transfer of ownership, the bill promotes the regularization of property rights and ensures that families can settle their estates without undue hardship,” Pangilinan added.

The proposed extension is part of ongoing efforts to make estate tax compliance more accessible and equitable for ordinary Filipino households.