Additional Options in the Acceptance and Processing of the Filed 2019 Income Tax Returns and Its Required Attachments

To ease the Acceptance and Processing of the Filed 2019 Income Tax Returns and Its Required Attachments, Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 49-2020 has issued by the bureau to provide options to taxpayers in the submission of the filed 2019 Income Tax Return and its required attachements as follows:

I. SUBMISSION THROUGH RCO 

Taxpayers may submit the required attachments to the Annual Income Tax Returns to the Revenue Collection Officer nearest to them, notwithstanding Revenue District Office jurisdiction. 

1. For income tax returns with payments made thru the online payment facility of the AAB, the RCOs/Cos shall: 

a. Stamp "Received" the returns; 

The attachments to the income tax returns shall be stamped only on the page of the Balance Sheet, the Income Statement and Audit Certificate, if applicable. The other pages of the financial statements and its attachments need not be stamped "Received". In case of corporations and other juridical persons at least 2 extra copies of the Audited Financial Statements for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) should be stamped "Received" pursuant to Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) Nos. 6-2010 and 13-2011. 

b. Batch and forward these returns and their respective attachments to the concerned Document Processing Division of the Revenue Region. 

2. For income tax returns filed electronically, the RCOs/Cos shall accept and stamp "Received" only the copies of the Filing Reference Number generated from the eFpS/E-mail Ctnfirmation from the eBIR Forms System and the Financial statements following the above-mentioned procedures; 

For accepted out-of-district returns and required attachments, theRCOs shall forward the documents to concerned Revenue District Offices.

II. SUBMISSION THROUGH eAFS 

Any taxpayer, may submit the Filed ITR and its required attachments to the ITR on-line thru the eAFS system of the BIR. This may be accessed through the BIR webpage at www.bir.gov.ph by clicking the icon of the eAFS thereat.

The required attachments will be grouped into three (3) document files. Taxpayers must scan the documents and save them into pDF files, named accordingly before uploading them into the eAFS:  

The eAFS will acknowledge successful submission by issuing a system generated Transaction Reference Number and by sending an email to the system user. This Transaction Reference Number shall serve as the proof of submission by the taxpayer, in lieu of the manual "Received" stamping. Provided that the taxpayer shall keep the original copies of the digitally submitted documents in accordance with Section 203 of the NIRC for the period as prescribed under Revenue Regulations ll-2013. Provided further that the same shall be presented, upon request, to the BIR . For a detailed guideline on how to use the system, please refer to Annex 1 of this Circular.

Please refer: https://www.bir.gov.ph/images/bir_files/internal_communications_1/Advisory/posted%20while%20under%20quarantine%20march%202020/RMC%20No.%2049-2020.pdf of the full text RMC No. 49-2020.

Payment of Internal Revenue Taxes through the Mobile Application Facility of the PayMaya Philippines, Inc.

A circular the was issued under Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 54-2020 dated February 04, 2020 that refers to the payment of Internal Revenue Taxes through the Mobile Application Facility of the PayMaya Philippines, Inc. 

All payments made through the said mobile application will be settled by PayMaya with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), an Authorized Agent Bank of the BIR, for remittance to the Bureau of the Treasury.

Moreover, Taxpayers are required to file their corresponding tax returns using the electronic filing facilities of eBIRForms System and/or Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS).

To pay your taxes via PayMaya App, download the App in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store or Huawei AppGallery then, follow the steps indicated below:

1. Log in to your PayMaya account and click on the "Pay Bills" option.

2. Select "Bureau of Internal Revenue"

3. Enter all pertinent details for your tax payment: Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), Branch Code, Amount to be paid, Revenue District Office (RDO) Code, Form Series, Form Type, Tax Type, Return Period and email address where you want to receive the receipt of your tax payment.

4. Review the details of the transaction before clicking "Pay" button.

5. Received payment confirmation via SMS and email.

For more information on how to avail of this tax payment facility and to access the frequently asked questions, visit the PayMaya website at www.PayMaya.com For other inquiries/concerns you may email support@paymaya.com or you may call PayMaya +632 8845-77-88.

Please refer: https://www.bir.gov.ph/images/bir_files/internal_communications_1/Advisory/posted%20while%20under%20quarantine%20march%202020/Revenue%20Memorandum%20Circular%20No.%2054-2020.pdf

Statement of Management's Responsibility for Annual Income Tax Return

The CIR has issued Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 3-2010 to provide the rationale and guidelines for the submission of the Statement of Management Responsibility that shall accompany the financial statements that shall be submitted with the annual income tax return.

The contents and format of Statement of Management's responsibility are as follows:

(A) Since that Annual Income Tax Return is primarily the responsibility of the management of the taxpayer, this shall be accompanied by a statement of management's responsibility.

(B) All taxpayers required to file annual income tax return under the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended, shall be required to submit a statement of management's responsibility, as follows:

"STATEMENT OF MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY

FOR ANNUAL INCOME TAX RETURN

The Management of (name of taxpayers) is responsible for all information and representations contained in the Annual Income Tax Return for the year ended (date). Management is likewise responsible for all information and representations contained in the financial statements accompanying the (Annual Income Tax Return or Annual Information Return) covering the same reporting period. Furthermore, the Management is responsible for all information and representations contained in all other tax returns filed for the reporting period, including, but not limited to the value added tax and/or percentage tax returns, withholding tax returns, documentary stamp tax returns, and any and all other tax returns.

In this regards, the Management affirms that the attached audited financial statements for the year ended (date) and the accompanying Annual Income Tax Return are in accordance with the books and records of (name of taxpayer), complete and correct in all material respects. Management likewise affirms that:

(a) the Annual Income Tax Return has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and pertinent tax regulations and other issuances of the Department of Finance and the Bureau of Internal Revenue;

(b) any disparity of figures in the submitted reports arising from the preparation of financial statements pursuant to financial accounting standards and the preparation of the income tax return pursuant to tax accounting rules has been reported as reconciling items and maintained in the company's books and records in accordance with the requirements of Revenue Regulations No. 8-2007 and other relevant issuances;

(c) the (name of taxpayer) has filed all applicable tax returns, reports and statements required to be filed under Philippine tax laws for the reporting period, and all taxes and other impositions shown thereon to be due and payable have been paid for the reporting, except those contested in good faith.

Signature: ____________________________

(Name of the Individual Taxpayer/President/Managing Partner

Signature: ____________________________

(Name of the Chief Executive Officer or its equivalent)

Signature: ____________________________

(Name of the Chief Financial Officer or its equivalent)"

(C) Aside from Individual Taxpayers, President and Managing Partner, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer or any officer performing similar functions regardless of their designation are also required to affix their signatories in the afore-mentioned Statement.

(D) In the case of a foreign corporation with branch office in the Philippines, the above Statement shall be signed by its local manager who is in charge of its operations.

Please refer https://www.bir.gov.ph/images/bir_files/old_files/pdf/49436RR%203-2010.pdf of the full text of RR No. 3-2010.

Guidelines in the Filing of the 2019 Income Tax Returns and Submission of Required Attachments

On March 17, 2020, the CIR has approved the Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 25-2020 related to the guidelines in the filing and receiving of the 2019 Income Tax Returns.

Taxpayers who are enrolled in EFPS shall continue to settle the tax liabilities with the Authorized Agent Bank (AAB) where the taxpayer is enrolled, while for those who shall file their AITR through EBIRForm Facility, the following are the payment options:

1. Over-theCounter (OTC) payment through Authorized Agent Banks (AABs);

2. Revenue Collection Officers (RCOs) in areas where there is no AABs;

3. Electronic/Online payment:

a) Landbank of the Philippine's (LBP) Link.Ziz Portal (for taxpayers who have ATM account with LBP and/or for holders of Bancnet ATM/Debit/Prepaid Card and taxpayer utilizing PesoNet facility (depositor of RCBC & Robinsons Bank), refer to Annex "A"

b) Development of the Philippines' (DBP) Pay Tax Online (for holders of Visa/Mastercard Credit Card and/or Bancnet ATM/Debit Card), refer to Annex "B"

c) Union Bank Online Web and Mobile Payment Facility (for taxpayer who has an account with Union Bank of the Philippines), refer to Annex "C"

d) Mobile Payment (GCash/Paymaya), refer to Annex "D"

The filing of tax returns manually can still be done by those who are not mandated to file and pay electronically, if the AITRto be filed has tax due and payable. If there is no tax to be paid, the same are required to be filed through eBIRForm facilities.

Considering the limitations in the preparation of the AITR to be filed by concerned taxpayers due to the aforesaid lock-down, errors in the determination of their income taxes are possible. Hence, taxpayers, at any time, can amend their AITR filed, provided the concerned taxable period has not been the subject yet of an audit. An amendment that will result to additional income tax to be paid, can still be paid without the imposition of corresponding penalties if the same shall be done not later than June 15, 2020. Moreover, required attachments to the electronically filed AITR can be submitted to the Revenue District Office where the taxpayers is registered until June 15, 2020.

Please refer: https://www.bir.gov.ph/images/bir_files/internal_communications_2/RMCs/2020%20RMCs/RMC%20No.%2025-2020_copy.pdf of the full text of RMC No. 25-2020.

Manner of Accepting Payment of Internal Revenue Taxes until June 14, 2020

The CIR has approved Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 48-2020 dated May 22, 2020 related to the Manner of Accepting Payment of Internal Revenue Taxes until June 14, 2020.

It is stated in the Circular that will extend until June 14, 2020 the leniency in filing of returns and payment of taxes due as provided under RMC No. 43-2020 and to include payment of payment of Amnesty Tax. Hence, until June 14, 2020, concerned taxpayers may:

1. File the tax return and pay the internal revenue taxes at the nearest Authorized Agent Banks (AABs), notwithstanding RDO jurisdiction;

2. File the tax return and pay the corresponding tax due thereon to the concerned Revenue Collection Officers (RDOs) of the nearest Revenue District Office (RD), even in areas where there are AABs.

The Circular also mentioned, provided that payment of internal revenue taxes in cash should not exceed Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00), while those for check payment will have no limitation if the same is made with RDO in the district office until June 14, 2020. Provided further that all checks shall be made payable to Bureau of Internal Revenue (with or without "IFO Name and TIN of the taxpayer" written on the check as previously required) and that the name and branch of the receiving AAB may no longer be indicated therein.

Please refer: https://www.bir.gov.ph/images/bir_files/internal_communications_1/Advisory/posted%20while%20under%20quarantine%20march%202020/RMC%20No.%2048-2020.pdf RMC No. 48-2020 of the full text of RMC No. 48-2020.

Meaning of "Business Style" Being Required in the Official Receipts and Invoices

On May 21, 2019, the bureau published Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 55-2019 that clarifies the meaning of "Business Style" Being Required in the Official Receipts and Invoices which is required to be indicated on the official receipts and invoices pursuant to Section 113(B) of the National International Revenue Code (NIRC), as amended; Section II(J) of Revenue Memorandum (RMO) No. 12-2013; Section 5 of Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 10-2015, as amended by RR No. 16-2018; and RMC No. 64-2015.

In the RMC, it is stated that the phrase "Business Style" refers to the business name registered with the concerned regulatory body used by the taxpayer other than its registered name or company name. For examples:

1) A corporation is registered under the corporate name of XYZ Entertainment Corporation. Based on its Certificate of Registration issued by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Corporation is operating under the business name of "Bozo the Clown." In this case, the business style is the business name which is "Bozo the Clown."

2) A single proprietor named Juanita M. Ricafrente registered a business name with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Reflected in her DTI Certificate of Registration is the business name of "JMR Trading." Hence, the business style is 'JMR Trading."

Please refer: https://www.bir.gov.ph/images/bir_files/internal_communications_2/RMC%20No%2055-2019.pdf RMC No. 55-2019. 

Submission of Certificate of Compensation Payment and Tax Withheld (BIR Form No. 2316) and Certified List of Employees Qualified for Substituted Filing of ITR

Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 24-2019 was issued and approved by the Commissioner Internal Revenue (CIR) on February 14, 2019 to clarify and address certain issues on the submission of Certificate of Compensation Payment and Tax Withheld (BIR Form No. 2316) and Certified List of Employees Qualified for Substituted Filing of ITR arising from the amendments introduced by Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 11-2018 to the existing provisions of RR No. 2-98.

CLARIFICATIONS

I. Submission of BIR Form No.2316 (duplicate original copy) to BIR Office

The provisions of Section 12 under RR No. 11-2018, amending Section 2.83 .l of RR No. 2-98, did not amend the pertinent provisions of RR No. 2-2015. The provisions of Section 12 of RR No. 11-2018 prescribe the manner of distribution of duly accomplished three (3) copies of BIR Form No. 2316. On the other hand, the provisions of RR No. 2-2015 prescribe the manner of submission of the duplicate original copy of BIR Form No. 2316 to the BIR Office.

Hence, RR No. 11-2018 did not re-introduce the submission of the said form in physical or hard duplicate original copies by employers to the BIR Office, in so far as the concerned taxpayers duly registered under the Large Taxpayers (LT) Service, or other non-LT registered taxpayers who opted to submit thru the Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) prescribed under RR No. 2-2015.

The Universal Storage Bus (USB) memory stick or other similar storage devices may be used in the absence or unavailability of the DVDs provided that the scanned copies of the said forms shall be made in uneditable format.

II. Submission to BIR Office of Certified List of Employees Qualified for Substituted Filing of

ITR (Annex ..F" of RR No. 11-2018)

While Annex "F" of RR No. 1 1-201 8 prescribed the specific format for the preparation of the Certified List of Employees Qualified for Substituted Filing of ITR, it was observed that the table provided therein for the prescribed list is only applicable for employers with eighteen (18) or less employees. Accordingly, in case additional pages are attached to the certification in order to accommodate additional employees or a separate list is prepared as an attachment to the certification, a reference statement to the additional pages or attachment shall be clearly indicated

in the certification, with the signature of the certifying employer or its duly authorized representative likewise indicated at the bottom of all the pages which are attached to the certification.

Further, consistent to the administrative policy of ease of doing business, the submission of un-notarized certified list may be allowed by this Bureau provided that all the pages attached to the certification are duly signed by the certifying employer or its duly authorized representative.

Please refer https://www.bir.gov.ph/images/bir_files/internal_communications_2/RMCs/RMC%20Full%20Text%202019/RMC%20No%2024-2019.pdf of the full text of RMC No. 24-2019.

Extension of statutory deadlines and timelines for the filing and submission of any document and the payment of taxes pursuant to Section 4 (z) of RA No. 11469

The bureau has issued Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 11-2020 which amends Section 2 of RR No. 10-2020 relative to the extension of statutory deadlines and timelines for the filing and submission of any document and the payment of taxes pursuant to Section 4 (z) of Republic Act No. 11469, otherwise known as "Bayanihan to Heal As One Act" and  in consideration of the Enhance Quarantine Period (ECQ) until May 15, 2020.

The following statutory deadlines for the submission and/or filing of the following documents and/or returns, as well as the payment of the following taxes, are extended as follows:

Please refer https://www.bir.gov.ph/images/bir_files/internal_communications_1/Full%20Text%20RR%202020/Revenue%20Regulations%20No%2011-2020.pdf of the full text of RR No. 11-20 dated April 29, 2020.

New Offline eBIRForms Package v7.6

In connection with the ease of doing business and filing of BIR Returns, the bureau recently updated the Offline eBIRForms Package from Offline eBIRForms Package v7.5 to Offline eBIRForms Package v7.6.

To download the Offline eBIRForms Package v7.6 click the link below:

http://ftp.pregi.net/bir/ebirforms_package_v7.6.zip

List of VAT-exempt Diabetes, High-Cholosterol and Hypertension Drugs Prescribed by FDA

In compliance with Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2-2018 entitled "Implementing Guidelines on the Value-Added Tax (VAT) Exemption on the Sale of Drugs Prescribed for Diabetes, High-Cholesterol and Hypertension under Republic Act No. 8424 Otherwise Known as the National International Revenue Code of 1997, as Amended by Republic Act No. 10963", Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 4-2019 has issued by the bureau publishing the full text of the letter from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) containing the "List of VAT-exempt Diabetes, High-Cholosterol and Hypertension Drugs".

Please refer: https://www.bir.gov.ph/images/bir_files/internal_communications_2/RMCs/RMC%20Full%20Text%202019/Letter.pdf of the letter dated January 10, 2019 from Atty. Katherine M. Austria-Lock, OIC Center for Drug Regulation and Research, FDA. 

For the List of VAT-exempt Drugs Prescribed, please consider the links as follows:

1. https://www.bir.gov.ph/images/bir_files/internal_communications_2/RMCs/RMC%20Full%20Text%202019/Diabetes.pdf for the Sale of Drugs Prescribed for Diabetes;

2. https://www.bir.gov.ph/images/bir_files/internal_communications_2/RMCs/RMC%20Full%20Text%202019/High-Cholesterol.pdf for the Sale of Drugs Prescribed for High-Cholesterol and

3. https://www.bir.gov.ph/images/bir_files/internal_communications_2/RMCs/RMC%20Full%20Text%202019/Hypertension.pdf for the Sale of Drugs Prescribed for Hypertension.

Please refer: https://www.bir.gov.ph/images/bir_files/internal_communications_2/RMCs/RMC%20Full%20Text%202019/RMC%20No%204-2019.pdf of the full text of RMC No. 4-2019.