TIPO Extends Deadline for Patent and Trademark Fee Payments via Designated Accounts to Midnight

WISECODE Take

Many business owners mistakenly believe that the deadline for government fees is the bank's closing time. The new measure announced by the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO) on September 1, 2026, essentially extends the payment finish line, giving enterprises more flexibility in fund management. According to TIPO's announcement, when receiving patent annuity payment applications or trademark fee bills, transferring funds through the designated account extends the deadline to midnight on the due date. This is like delaying the final whistle in a sports match, giving players a chance to score in the final moments. This reduces the risk of rights expiring due to oversight for busy entrepreneurs. If your company handles numerous cases, our trademark monitoring service can help track deadlines, though companies that already delegate this to agents remain unaffected. We suggest two actions. First, adjust internal payment workflows to schedule IP payments before the end of the business day rather than rushing before 3:30 PM. Second, ensure accounting staff are aware of the designated account transfer function to avoid manual counter payments. Although the grace period is extended to midnight, system delays may occur at the last minute, so avoid operating in the final hour.