MANILA — DISKARTE Para sa Pamilya at Bayan on Monday (26 Oct 2026) called on the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to suspend its mandatory Registration Seal Badge requirement for online sellers, freelancers, content creators, and other digital entrepreneurs, citing concerns over compliance costs and the possible exposure of taxpayers’ personal information.
In a statement, the group warned that the policy, which is intended to promote tax compliance, could impose additional burdens on small-scale entrepreneurs who rely on online platforms to earn a living.
“The BIR must distinguish between tax evasion and survival,” DISKARTE said, stressing that many Filipinos turn to online selling, freelancing and content creation to supplement their household incomes amid rising prices and limited economic opportunities.
The group acknowledged the government’s responsibility to collect taxes but maintained that compliance measures should be fair, proportionate and respectful of taxpayers’ rights.
It argued that even if the registration badge carries no separate fee, complying with the requirements could entail additional time and effort for documentation, registration updates, tax filings and recordkeeping, particularly for micro-entrepreneurs with limited resources.
DISKARTE also raised concerns over reports that scanning the badge’s quick response (QR) code could disclose identifiable taxpayer information, including a person’s full legal name and Tax Identification Number (TIN).
According to the group, the potential exposure of such information could increase the risk of identity misuse, scams, harassment and doxing, especially among individuals running businesses through their personal social media accounts.
“Privacy is a right, not a privilege granted by the BIR,” the organization said, calling for stronger safeguards and clear guidelines on what information can be accessed through the QR-code verification system.
While welcoming the BIR’s engagement with the National Privacy Commission (NPC) to address privacy concerns, DISKARTE said assurances alone would not be enough without concrete protections for taxpayers.
The group urged the BIR to suspend both the mandatory badge requirement and its associated penalties while reviewing the policy in consultation with affected sectors and the NPC.
Among its recommendations are simplifying registration and tax compliance procedures, adopting requirements proportionate to the size and nature of businesses, clarifying the rules governing QR-code verification, and providing taxpayers with adequate guidance before imposing penalties.
It also called for consultations with online sellers, freelancers, content creators, solo parents and micro-entrepreneurs to ensure their concerns are considered in the policy review.
DISKARTE emphasized that it does not oppose lawful tax collection but wants a system that is accessible and fair to small businesses and individual digital earners.
“We do not advocate tax evasion. We advocate a tax system that is fair, understandable, efficient, and humane,” the group said.
It added that government policies should encourage entrepreneurship, support household incomes and help small enterprises contribute to the economy instead of discouraging them through excessive administrative requirements.
The organization maintained that public trust is essential to effective tax administration and urged the BIR to balance enforcement with the protection of taxpayers’ privacy and livelihoods.
“Our message to the BIR is clear: collect the taxes lawfully due, protect the privacy of taxpayers, simplify compliance, and stop making life harder for small online entrepreneurs,” DISKARTE said.
