How to File 1701/1701A Annual Income Tax Return (ITR) Online via eBIRForms 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide Filing your taxes in the Philippines has become significantly easier with the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) online tools. If you are a freelancer, a professional, or a small business owner, filing your Annual Income Tax Return (ITR) for 2026 is a crucial task.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of using the eBIRForms package to file Form 1701 or 1701A accurately and efficiently.
Pre-requisites: What You Need Before Starting
Before you open the software, ensure you have the following:
- eBIRForms Package: Download the latest version from the official BIR website. Note: This software is currently compatible with Windows PCs only and not yet available for Mac users.
- Certificate of Registration (COR): To copy your TIN, RDO code, and Line of Business.
- Financial Records: Your total sales/income for the entire taxable year and records of tax payments made in the previous three quarters.
Step 1: Setup and Basic Information
- Open eBIRForms: Once installed, launch the application.
- Enter Profile Details: Type in your TIN, RDO code, and the line of business as indicated in your COR.
- Select the Form: In the dropdown menu, look for:
- Form 1701: For Mixed Income Earners (e.g., you have a business/profession AND you are also an employee).
- Form 1701A: For individuals who are Purely in Business or Profession (e.g., full-time freelancers or sole proprietors).
Step 2: Filling Out Form 1701A (The Basics)
Once the form opens, some fields will be pre-filled based on your profile.
- Taxable Year: Set this to the year you are filing for (e.g., 2025 if filing in early 2026).
- Filer Type: Choose between “Single Proprietor” or “Professional”.
- Tax Rate: If you opted for the 8% Income Tax Rate, make sure to select this option. This will automatically update Item 19 in the form.
- Personal Details: Fill in your date of birth, citizenship, and civil status.
Step 3: Entering Financial Data
Click on the “Next” page or scroll down to the financial section. If fields are grayed out, click “Edit”.
- Total Sales (Item 47): Enter your gross sales or receipts for the entire year. Unlike quarterly filings, this must reflect your total annual income.
- Taxable Income Deduction (Item 54): If you are under the 8% tax rate, you are entitled to a PHP 250,000 deduction from your gross sales.
- Previous Tax Payments (Item 58): Crucially, enter the total amount of taxes you already paid during the first, second, and third quarters. Failing to include this will result in you paying for those quarters again.
Step 4: Validation and Submission
- Validate: Click the “Validate” button at the bottom. The system will check if you missed any required fields.
- Save: Always save a copy of your progress.
- Submit: Click “Submit / Final Copy.” You should receive a notification saying “Submit Successful”.
- Tip: If you encounter an error on the first try, simply try clicking submit again without restarting the whole process.
Step 5: Finalizing and Payment
- Save as PDF: After submitting, click the “Print” button but choose “Save as PDF” instead. Keep these files for your records.
- Wait for Confirmation: Do not pay immediately. Wait for the Tax Return Receipt Confirmation email from the BIR.
- Online Payment: Once you have the email, you can pay your tax due via:
- GCash
- Maya
- Authorized Agent Banks (AABs).
Conclusion
Filing your 1701 or 1701A via eBIRForms ensures that you remain compliant with Philippine tax laws while taking advantage of the simplified 8% tax rate if applicable. Always remember to file on or before the April 15 deadline to avoid penalties!
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