Manila, April 24 -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Thursday reported a 22.5 percent increase in annual income tax return (ITR) filings this year, attributing it to its early tax awareness campaign and digitalization efforts.

During an interview on PTV-4's Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said the increase was seen from January through the April 15 deadline, with fewer people physically visiting revenue offices.

"Well, naging maganda po ang turnout nitong huling araw ng filing... tumaas po tayo. Nakakuha po tayo ng 22.5 percent increase from last year's tax filing kaya naging maganda ang naging turnout nitong tax filing season na ito (The turnout on the last day of filing was good... We recorded a 22.5...