Articles
RaketTax Articles: Demystifying BIR compliance for Filipino freelancers.
Straight answers on the 8% flat rate, quarterly and annual returns, foreign income, and deadlines — written for people who’d rather be working on their raket.
eBIRForms on a Mac: How to File Your 1701Q Without Windows
The BIR's eBIRForms package runs on Windows only, and you can't fill out the 1701Q on the BIR's website. Here are your real options as a Mac user.
Late ang 1701Q Ko: What to Do If You Missed the Deadline
Missed your 1701Q deadline? File it as soon as you can. If you owed ₱0, there's no surcharge or interest. Here's what a late return costs an 8% freelancer, and the steps to close it.
Which BIR Form Do I File? 1701Q, 1701A, 1701, 1701-MS and 2551Q Explained
Five BIR form numbers that look almost the same. Here's which ones a Filipino freelancer actually files, depending on your tax rate and whether you also earn a salary.
How to Get a BIR-Stamped ITR for a Japan or Schengen Visa
Embassies and banks want a filed BIR Form 1701A, 1701-MS or 1701 plus the BIR's stamp or eBIRForms email confirmation. Here is how a freelancer assembles that proof.
RaketTax vs. a Private Bookkeeper for 8% Freelancers
A bookkeeper files your return for a per-quarter fee; RaketTax tracks income and computes your 8% tax for free, with partner bookkeepers on call if needed.
BIR Form 1701Q: Step-by-Step Guide for First-Time Filers
A first-timer's walkthrough of BIR Form 1701Q on the 8% rate — gross receipts, the ₱250,000 exemption, filing, and the reduced Micro Taxpayer penalties.
The 8% Flat Income Tax Rate Explained for Filipino Freelancers
The 8% flat rate charges one rate on gross receipts above ₱250,000 — no expense tracking, no percentage tax. Here is who qualifies and how to compute it.
How to Register as a Freelancer with the BIR (2026 Guide)
Registering with the BIR as a self-employed professional unlocks the 8% flat tax and legal proof of income. Here is the 2026 step-by-step process.
What Is the BIR 8% Income Tax Rate? A Plain-English Guide for Freelancers
The 8% flat rate replaces both the graduated income tax and the 3% percentage tax with a single, simple computation. Here's how it actually works.
1701Q Filing Deadlines for 2026 (and What Happens If You Miss One)
Your 1701Q is due the 15th day of the second month after each quarter. Miss it and, as a micro taxpayer, you owe a 10% surcharge, 6% yearly interest and a compromise penalty from ₱1,000.
Getting Paid in USD? How Foreign Income Works Under the 8% Rate
Payments from overseas clients are still taxable in the Philippines. The catch is converting them to pesos correctly — and keeping proof of the rate you used.