Ascentium Philippines brings you, "Tax Readiness 2026: BIR Updates and Best Practices for SMEs." This webinar walks business owners and finance teams through the latest BIR developments, the shift to digital compliance, and the practical steps needed to keep your business audit-ready.
This webinar will be held on October 16, 2026, from 9:00AM to 12:00NN (GMT+8) and will be live streamed via Zoom.
Event Overview:
This webinar provides a clear and practical overview of the tax compliance landscape facing small and medium-sized enterprises in 2026, from major BIR updates and e-invoicing requirements to high-risk areas that often trigger penalties.
It will cover the newest regulatory changes, common compliance pitfalls, and best practices to help business owners, finance professionals, and growing SMEs manage their tax obligations with confidence and stay ready for any assessment.
Learning Agenda
- State of SME Tax Compliance in 2026
- Major BIR Updates Every Business Owner Should Know
- Going Digital: E-Invoicing and Electronic Compliance Requirements
- VAT, Withholding Taxes, and Other High-Risk Areas
- Top Tax Mistakes That Trigger Penalties and Assessments
- Building an Audit-Ready Business
- Tax Compliance Best Practices for Growing SMEs
- 2026 Tax Readiness Checklist
- Q and A
John Brian Z. Malbas is a Certified Public Accountant with nearly 10 years of experience in audit, tax compliance, and financial advisory services. He began his career with a professional services firm operating in a multidisciplinary accounting and advisory services, where he was part of the Assurance practice and handled audits of publicly listed companies, banks, and other entities within the capital markets sector, gaining extensive experience in financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and risk management.
He currently serves as a Manager, Financial Tax Compliance at Ascentium Philippines, where he advises both local and foreign-invested businesses operating in the Philippines. His portfolio includes clients ranging from startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to large multinational organisations across industries such as information technology, business process outsourcing (BPO), professional services, retail, manufacturing, and trading.
Drawing from both his audit and tax compliance experience, John regularly assists businesses in preparing for regulatory reviews, addressing tax risks, and implementing practical compliance strategies that support operational efficiency and sustainable growth.
What You’ll Learn
By the end of this webinar, you will have a clear and practical understanding of what it takes to stay tax-compliant and audit-ready as an SME in 2026.
- Understand the current state of SME tax compliance and what has changed heading into 2026
- Identify the major BIR updates that directly affect how you file, report, and pay
- Learn what e-invoicing and electronic compliance requirements mean for your day-to-day operations
- Recognize high-risk areas in VAT, withholding taxes, and other obligations that draw closer scrutiny
- Avoid the common tax mistakes that trigger penalties, surcharges, and assessments
- Build an audit-ready business with sound documentation and reliable internal processes
- Apply practical best practices that support compliance as your business grows
- Walk away with a 2026 Tax Readiness Checklist you can act on right away
Who Should Attend
This session is designed for business owners, finance teams, and professionals responsible for keeping their organisations tax-compliant.
- Business owners and entrepreneurs managing SME tax obligations
- Finance managers, accountants, and bookkeepers handling filings and reporting
- Tax and compliance professionals staying current with BIR updates
- Corporate secretaries and corporate service teams supporting tax documentation
- Startups and growing companies building strong compliance foundations
- Anyone preparing for BIR assessments or looking to reduce compliance risk
If your role involves managing, reporting, or staying compliant with tax requirements in the Philippines, this session is built for you.