BIR suspends mandatory display of seal badge for online sellers, content creators

MANILA — The Bureau of Internal Revenue has suspended the mandatory online display of its Registration Seal Badge for digital sellers and content creators following privacy and technical concerns, Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza announced.   

This halts the upcoming October 31, 2026 compliance deadline until further notice, the agency said.

“We have heard the concerns of online sellers, content creators, and other taxpayers regarding data privacy, technical issues, and the scope of the BIR Registration Seal Badge requirement,” Mendoza said.   

“In response, I have directed the suspension of the October 31, 2026 compliance deadline and the mandatory online posting of the BIR Registration Seal Badge until further notice,” he added.   

The BIR has said that the seal badge was introduced as an alternative to posting full Certificates of Registration (COR) online.

Some critics however said scanning the embedded QR code in the seal badge could expose sensitive personal details, including full legal names and middle names. Critics said this could lead to stalking, harassment, scams, and identity theft.   

“We recognize that protecting personal information online presents different and more complex challenges than displaying a COR at a physical business establishment,” Mendoza stated.   

During the suspension period, the tax agency will collaborate with the National Privacy Commission and consult affected taxpayers and stakeholders to review the requirement’s implementation. Taxpayers may continue to display their seal badges voluntarily, and the BIR noted that no penalties will be imposed solely for non-display.   

“Our commitment remains the same: to protect taxpayers, make compliance easier, and deliver the quality of service you deserve,” Mendoza said.   

Many small vendors and online sellers—some earning very little daily income—had also complained that additional digital compliance steps, paperwork, and technical requirements for the seal badge were overly burdensome.

The agency meanwhile earlier said it had issued more than 52,700 registration seal badges as of Oct. 14.