The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has launched its own “Tell the Commissioner” initiative in response to allegations of misuse of Letters of Authority (LOAs) and Mission Orders (MOs).
Announced on Saturday, 29 November, the BIR said all complaints, concerns, and suggestions related to LOAs and MOs may now be sent directly to tellthecommissioner@bir.gov.ph.
LOAs are the BIR’s primary legal document authorizing revenue officers to examine a taxpayer’s books and records. They grant the Commissioner authority to conduct audits based on a clear legal mandate, with proper identification of examiners and adherence to due process.
MOs, on the other hand, authorize surveillance, verification, site inspections, and other limited fact-finding activities. They do not permit audits, examination of books, or the issuance of assessments.
The Department of Finance (DOF), which oversees the BIR, earlier ordered the suspension of all field audits and the issuance of new LOAs and MOs on Monday, 24 November, following taxpayer complaints alleging a Bureau-wide extortion scheme.
“We hear the people. We hear your concerns and are immediately acting on them. The people deserve better. The Department of Finance is committed to protecting our taxpayers from potential abuse through a comprehensive review of our existing policies and procedures,” said DOF Secretary Frederick Go.
BIR Commissioner Charlito Mendoza likewise announced an internal probe on 27 November to promote transparency. “That’s why I’m calling on our stakeholders, our taxpayers who experienced abuse from BIR personnel, to come to us, directly to me, to my office, so they can provide details,” he said.
According to the Bureau of the Treasury’s latest Cash Operations Report, the BIR collected P2.65 trillion in taxes from January to September 2025, accounting for 69.62 percent of total government revenues for the period.
“The BIR values feedback from the public and stakeholders, as such information helps the Bureau fulfill its mandate efficiently and responsibly,” the agency said, adding that all submissions will be reviewed by the Office of the Commissioner to ensure concerns are properly addressed.