The Ultimate Philippine HR Compliance Calendar for 2026

Philippine employers must juggle multiple monthly compliance tasks, such as BIR Form 1601-C for withholding taxes, as well as SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG contribution remittances. Each has its own deadline, process, and government system. 

With requirements spread across different agencies and calendars, manual tracking quickly becomes difficult, time-consuming, and prone to error. That’s why for HR teams, staying compliant isn’t just about remembering dates but also about having a reliable system that keeps everything on track, all year round.

This guide provides a complete, easy-to-follow reference for all key deadlines, government contributions, and official holidays to help HR teams stay organized, meet compliance requirements, and plan payroll accurately throughout the year.

To make HR in the Philippines more manageable, it helps to understand the key agencies, what they require, and when payments or filings are due.

Key HR Compliance Agencies & What They Do

• BIR Withholding Tax (Form 1601‑C): Every month, you need to withhold the correct tax from your employees’ pay and file Form 1601‑C. Filing late or making mistakes can lead to extra charges, so it’s important to stay on schedule.
• SSS Contributions & Reporting: Both employer and employee shares must be paid monthly through the SSS portal or other authorized channels. Deadlines are usually the last day of the month after the payroll period, though your schedule might differ depending on your employer number.
• PhilHealth Remittances: PhilHealth contributions are due in the second half of the following month. Employers submit payments and electronic reports through the PhilHealth EPRS system.
• Pag‑IBIG Contributions & Loan Payments: Remit Pag‑IBIG contributions and any employee loan payments on time, usually between the 10th and 15th of the following month. Late payments can trigger penalties, so make this part of your monthly routine.

The calendar below outlines all key 2026 holidays, deadlines, and government contributions to help teams plan ahead, stay compliant, and manage payroll accurately throughout the year.

Holidays & Events

• January 1 (Thursday): New Year’s Day — Regular holiday in the Philippines

Critical Compliance Deadlines

Jan 15: BIR Form 1601‑C Remittance for December 2025

• Employers must file and pay BIR Form 1601‑C, the monthly remittance return of withholding tax on compensation for December 2025, according to group filing schedules (with deadlines usually between January 12–15).
• This form reports taxes withheld from employee compensation and remits them to the BIR.

Jan 31: SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag‑IBIG Contribution & Loan Payment Remittance for December 2025

• Employers must remit contributions and loan payments for SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag‑IBIG for the December 2025 payroll period. Employer remittance deadlines generally fall in January following the payroll month (with specific deadlines depending on agency rules and schedules).

Jan 31: Deadline for Distribution of BIR Form 2316 to Employees

• Employers must issue BIR Form 2316 (Certificate of Compensation Payment/Tax Withheld) to employees for compensation earned in 2025 on or before January 31, 2026.

January sets the tone for the compliance year ahead. Beyond meeting statutory deadlines, this month is an opportunity to ensure your systems and data are ready for the year. We advise finalizing 2026 budgets for salaries, benefits, and statutory contributions, issuing updated compensation letters, and planning and scheduling Q1 performance reviews with teams and managers.

Holidays & Events

• February 17 (Tuesday): Chinese New Year. Special non‑working day declared for 2026.
• February 25 (Wednesday): EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary. Special working day.

Critical Compliance Deadlines

• February (mid‑month): BIR Form 1601‑C Remittance for January 2026
  Employers must file and pay BIR Form 1601‑C for taxes withheld from January payroll. (Filing deadlines can vary by taxpayer group under BIR’s electronic filing rules, usually within 10–15 days after month‑end).
• February (various dates): Monthly contributions and loan remittances are generally due in the month after the payroll period. SSS is usually due by the last day of the following month, PhilHealth between the 11th and 20th, and Pag‑IBIG between the 10th and the end of the month, depending on the  employer number or schedule.

Use February to support employee engagement and internal HR planning. Conduct employee satisfaction or engagement surveys early in the year to gather feedback and identify areas for improvement. Also, review the year‑to‑date HR data and compliance reports to identify any gaps from January.

Key Holidays & Events

• No regular or special non‑working holidays declared for March 2026 under Proclamation No. 1006.

Critical Compliance Deadlines

• March (mid‑month): BIR Form 1601‑C Remittance for February 2026
  Employers must file and pay BIR Form 1601‑C for taxes withheld from February payroll.
• March (various dates): SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag‑IBIG Contributions for February 2026
  Monthly contributions and loan remittances continue to follow standard schedules: SSS due by the last day of the following month, PhilHealth between the 11th–20th, and Pag‑IBIG between the 10th–end of the month, depending on employer contribution schedules.

March is a critical month for preparing ahead of the next compliance periods. This is the right time to prepare for Holy Week payroll (April) by reviewing leave policies, pay rules for holidays, and attendance windows. Conduct Q1 performance reviews if not already planned or completed, and use this quieter month to audit payroll and benefits processes to ensure reporting accuracy and readiness for the mid‑year cycle.

Key Holidays & Events

• April 9 (Thursday): Araw ng Kagitingan — Regular holiday in the Philippines. Declared under Proclamation No. 1006 for 2026.
• April 17 (Friday): Maundy Thursday — Regular holiday for Holy Week.
• April 18 (Saturday): Good Friday — Regular holiday for Holy Week.
• April 19 (Sunday): Black Saturday — Special (non‑working) day for Holy Week.

Critical Compliance Deadlines

• April 15: Deadline for Annual Income Tax Return Filing
  This is the statutory deadline for annual income tax returns for individuals and corporations whose fiscal year ends on December 31. It affects employees filing their individual returns and employers tracking employee tax obligations.

April brings some of the most complex pay situations of the year due to consecutive holidays. HR teams should plan payroll and leave schedules carefully:

• Holiday pay computations: For Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, employees who work on these regular holidays are entitled to double pay (200 % of their daily wage) for the first eight hours worked.
• For Black Saturday, a special non‑working day, the “no work, no pay” rule applies unless company policy provides otherwise; employees who work receive an additional 30 % of their basic wage for the first eight hours.

Make sure to double‑check holiday pay rules for consecutive holidays to ensure accurate payroll in the Philippines. What’s more, communicate payroll schedules and leave implications to employees ahead of Holy Week. It may also help to plan summer team building or employee engagement activities around extended holiday breaks to maintain morale and cohesion.

Key Holidays & Events

• May 1: Labor Day – Regular Holiday

Critical Compliance Deadlines

• BIR, SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG remittances for April

This is a good time to conduct mid-year performance check-ins and align employee goals for the rest of the year.

Key Holidays & Events

• June 12: Independence Day – Regular Holiday

Critical Compliance Deadlines

• BIR, SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG remittances for May

By now, begin planning for 13th-month pay projections and year-end payroll budgeting.

Key Holidays & Events

• No national holidays declared in July under Proclamation No. 1006 for 2026.

Critical Compliance Deadlines

• Monthly statutory remittances: Employers continue to file and pay BIR Form 1601‑C for June 2026 compensation and remit SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag‑IBIG contributions for June. (Standard practice; see typical remittance cycle: contributions due in the month after the relevant payroll period.)

July is typically a quieter month for holidays, making it an ideal time for strategic HR initiatives, including:

• Updating employee handbooks and HR policies to reflect changes for the year.
• Planning learning and development (L&D) programs or training sessions to reinforce skills and compliance awareness.
• Reviewing payroll processes and reconciling year‑to‑date contributions.
• Conducting internal audits of HR data and documentation to catch any discrepancies early.

Key Holidays & Events

• August 21 (Friday): Ninoy Aquino Day — Special non‑working day commemorating the death anniversary of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.
• August 31 (Monday): National Heroes Day — Regular holiday observed on the last Monday of August.

Employers file and pay BIR Form 1601‑C for July 2026 compensation and remit SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag‑IBIG contributions for July. 

August offers at least two long weekends, which HR teams can use strategically to:

• Communicate holiday pay rules clearly to payroll and operations teams to avoid errors during holiday pay processing.
• Manage employee schedules around long weekends to ensure sufficient coverage without burnout.
• Plan engagement activities or recognition programs that align with the mid‑year cycle.
• Reinforce compliance check‑ins for year‑to‑date statutory reporting.

Key Holidays & Events

• No declared national holidays in September under Proclamation No. 1006. However, the Islamic holidays (Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha) are pending official proclamation once dates are determined based on the Islamic lunar calendar. HR teams should update calendars when these are announced.

Critical Compliance Deadlines

• Monthly statutory remittances: Employers file and pay BIR Form 1601‑C for August 2026 compensation and remit SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag‑IBIG contributions for August. (Remittance due dates follow standard government schedules.)

September marks the start of planning for major end‑of‑year cycles: When the “ber” months begin, start planning year‑end activities, including employee events, incentives, and bonus programs.

• Performance Reviews: October is a good time to wrap up third‑quarter performance evaluations and align development plans for year‑end goals.
• Year‑End Bonus Calculations: Begin confirming allocation and budgeting for year‑end bonuses and incentive payouts.

Critical Compliance Deadlines

• Monthly statutory remittances: Employers must file and pay BIR Form 1601‑C for September 2026 compensation and remit SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag‑IBIG contributions for September. These remittances continue on the usual schedules required after each payroll period.

Key Holidays & Events

• November 1 (Sunday): All Saints’ Day — Special non‑working holiday.
• November 2 (Monday): All Souls’ Day — Additional special non‑working holiday.
• November 30 (Monday): Bonifacio Day — Regular holiday.

Critical Compliance Deadlines

• Monthly statutory remittances: Employers must file and pay BIR Form 1601‑C for October 2026 compensation and remit SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag‑IBIG contributions for October.

With the legal deadline for paying 13th‑month pay approaching (on or before December 24), November is when HR and finance should finalize payout rules, communicate policies to employees, and ensure payroll systems are ready. 13th‑month pay is a required benefit for rank‑and‑file employees and must be at least 1/12 of basic annual salary.

Key Holidays & Events

• December 8 (Tuesday): Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary — Special non‑working holiday.
• December 24 (Thursday): Christmas Eve — Additional special non‑working day.
• December 25 (Friday): Christmas Day — Regular holiday.
• December 30 (Wednesday): Rizal Day — Regular holiday.
• December 31 (Thursday): Last Day of the Year — Special non‑working day.

Critical Compliance Deadlines

• 13th‑Month Pay Deadline: Employers must pay 13th‑month pay on or before December 24, the deadline set by the Department of Labor and Employment under Labor Advisory.
  • This payment is a statutory right for all rank‑and‑file employees, and the amount must be at least 1/12 of total basic salary earned during the calendar year.
• Monthly statutory remittances: Employers must file and pay BIR Form 1601‑C for November 2026 compensation and remit SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag‑IBIG contributions for November.

December is the most demanding month of the HR calendar. It focuses on:

• Holiday Payroll Management: With multiple holidays, verify that holiday pay and special non‑working day pay rules are applied correctly. (For example, special non‑working days typically follow “no work, no pay” unless company policy specifies otherwise, and premium rates may apply for work performed on these days).
• 13th‑Month Pay Delivery: Ensure 13th‑month pay is processed and released to all eligible employees on or before December 24. This is a legal requirement under Presidential Decree No. 851 and DOLE guidelines.
• Final Payroll Runs: Conduct end‑of‑year payroll processing, including decembers’ final pay runs, leave payouts, deductions, and reconciliations.
• BIR Form 2316 Preparation: Start preparing annual certificates (Form 2316) that will be issued early the following year.

For a deeper dive into HR compliance and payroll management, visit Sprout’s Compliance Hub. It provides step-by-step guidance on handling BIR filings, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag‑IBIG remittances, holiday pay, and 13th-month pay, which helps HR teams and business owners stay accurate, efficient, and fully compliant throughout the year.

You’ve just scrolled through over 100 critical HR and payroll deadlines for 2026: from BIR, SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag‑IBIG contributions to multiple national holidays and 13th‑month pay obligations. 

As discussed in our webinar Starting 2026 Right: Building a BIR-Compliant Payroll Foundation, compliance isn’t just about tracking dates: it’s also about managing the many forms, filings, and reporting requirements that come with each deadline. With so much to submit across multiple agencies, even small filing mistakes can create unnecessary delays or added costs. To learn more how about to avoid this, check out our recent compliance webinar.

Managing compliance manually is time‑consuming, prone to errors, and leaves little room for more important HR initiatives. When you automate your payroll and compliance processes, your team can focus on what truly matters: developing talent, improving engagement, and driving business performance.

Join thousands of Philippine businesses that trust Sprout to handle HR and payroll compliance automatically. Sprout’s solutions are designed to integrate with your HR ecosystem, keeping all employee data and statutory reporting in one central platform.

• Sprout Payroll ensures that BIR, SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag‑IBIG filings are automatically calculated and submitted on time, with pre‑configured rules for holiday pay, overtime, and 13th‑month pay. Reduce errors, save hours of manual work, and maintain full compliance.
• Sprout HRIS lets you manage employee records, leave requests, performance evaluations, and more from one centralized platform, eliminating fragmented spreadsheets and reducing admin work.
• Sprout’s outsourcing services provide expert support for outsourcing, compliance audits, and complex payroll situations, giving you confidence that your HR operations are fully compliant and optimized.

Book a demo now to see how Sprout Payroll and HRIS can automate all your compliance deadlines, streamline payroll, and ensure 100% accurate government filings.

Employers must pay 13th-month pay on or before December 24, 2026. This applies to all rank-and-file employees who have worked at least one month during the calendar year. For prorated payments to new hires or separated employees, calculations should be based on their actual months worked. Learn more about 13th-month pay rules.

Employees who do not work on a special non-working holiday are entitled to 100% of their daily wage. If they work on that day, they receive 130% of their daily wage for that day. These rules differ from regular holidays, which generally have higher pay rates.

Late SSS contributions incur penalties and interest. The penalty is typically 3% of the unpaid contribution per month of delay, plus 20% interest on the amount due. 

The exact dates are based on the lunar calendar and will be officially declared by the President of the Philippines. Our calendar will be updated immediately once these dates are announced to ensure accurate planning.

Yes. Sprout Payroll and HRIS automate government remittances, payroll calculations, holiday pay, and report generation for BIR, SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG.