Summary

RMC No. 16-2025 gives tax compliance reminders for candidates in the May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections.

Registration. BIR registration and payment of registration fee are not prerequisites for filing a certificate of candidacy. A candidate may register under Executive Order No. 98 using BIR Form No. 1904 to get a TIN, and under the EOPT Act is not required to pay the annual registration fee.
Candidates with business or campaign activity. Candidates who engage in business, buy goods or services for the campaign, receive donations and contributions, or have income payments subject to withholding tax must register or update their details with their RDO. No annual registration fee is required under the EOPT Act.
Withholding tax. Payments by political parties and candidates for campaign goods and services, and payments by individuals or juridical persons for goods and services given as campaign contributions, are subject to five percent (5%) Creditable Withholding Tax under RR No. 11-2018.
Records. Candidates must keep a record of contributions, donations and expenditures, used for the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures submitted to the Commission on Election under RR No. 8-2009.
Invoices for contributions. Candidates receiving donations and contributions must buy Non-VAT BIR Printed Invoices from their RDO and issue one for every contribution in cash or in kind. Contributions in kind are valued at Fair Market Value.
Penalties. Candidates who fail to register and comply face penalties under existing laws and issuances.

Summary by Tax Resources PH. It is not a substitute for the full text of the issuance or professional advice.

RMC No. 16-2025: Tax compliance reminders for the May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections