Guidelines and Policies for the Monitoring of Service Fees of Professionals

The bureau just issued Revenue Regulations No. 4-2014 in connection with its campaign to promote transparency and to eradicate tax evasion among self-employed professionals which the bureau encouraged them to comply with the BIR's requirements on registration pursuant to section 236 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997 as amended and issuance of official receipts and invoices under Sections 113 and 237 of the same code.

Under RR No. 4-2014, the polices and guidelines for the monitoring of service fees of professionals is stated in Section 2 with details as follows:

1. Self-employed professionals shall register and pay the annual registration fee (ARF) with the RDO/LTO having jurisdiction over them. In addition to the requirements for annual registration all self-employed professionals shall submit an affidavit indicating the rates manner of billings and the factors they consider in determining their service fees upon registration and every year thereafter on or before January 31.

2. Self-employed professionals are obligated to register the books of accounts and official appointment books of their practice of profession/occupation/calling before using the same. The official appointment books shall contain only the names of the client and the date/time of the meeting. They are likewise obligated to register their sales invoices and official receipts (VAT or non-VAT) before using them in any transactions.

3. In cases when no professional fees are charged by the professional and paid by client, a BIR registered receipt, duly acknowledged by the latter shall be issued showing a discount of 100% as substantiation of the  "pro-bono' service.

Please refer ftp://ftp.bir.gov.ph/webadmin1/pdf/84365RR%204-2014.pdf of the full text of Revenue Regulations No. 4-2014.

The eBIRFORMS Offline Package v4.0 (w/ Annual Income Tax Returns v2013 ENCS) is Now Available for Downloading

This day, the BIR just announced that the eBIRFORMS Offline Package v4.0 (w/ Annual Income Tax Returns v2013 ENCS) is now available for downloading in the eBIRForms page for use in the preparation, encoding and filing of the BIR Form Nos. 1700, 1702-RT, 1702-EX, 1702-MX.

Job Aids are also included for  easy navigation and use of the application tool.  BIR Form No. 1701 and online submission of Annual Income Tax Returns to eFPS will be available soon.

BIR Interactive Forms may be accessed in the “BIR Forms” portion. BIR Form No. 1700 / BIR Form 1701 / BIR Form No. 1702

Hope that this blog would help you in preparing your Annual Income Tax Returns.

Here's the update for the eBIRForms Offline Package v.7.08  http://ftp.pregi.net/bir/ebirforms_package_v4.7.08_ITRv2013.zip

The Acceptance of Out-Of-District Filing of Income Tax Returns of Certain Government Officials and Employees Shall No Longer be Allowed

The new Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 15-2014 issued by the bureau is a reminder on the acceptance of out-of district filing of Annual Income Tax Returns (BIR Form Nos. 1700 and 1701) of certain government officials and employees pursuant to the provisions of Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 29-2013. 

The filing of the Annual Income Tax Returns as well as the payment of taxes due thereon anywhere of the following government officials and employees shall no longer be allowed:

1. Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP);

2. Members of the Philippine National Police (PNP); and 

3. Public School Teachers/Professors/Instructors

It is also stated that any concerned revenue personnel who is found to be violating this Circular shall be subjected to the appropriate sanctions prescribed under Section 7 of Revenue Regulations No. 13-2010 dated November 25, 2010.

Please refer ftp://ftp.bir.gov.ph/webadmin1/pdf/83702RMC%20No%2015-2014.pdf of the full text of the Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 15-2014.

Selected SSS Branches Extend Saturday Services to Serve Members

The SSS President & CEO has issued the Circular Order No. 2014-003 to extend the Saturday services of the branches to serve members from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays effective February 8, 2014 until June 28, 2014 as follows:

NCR - 1. Diliman Branch 2. Cubao Branch, 3. San Francisco de Monte Branch 4. Mandaluyong Branch, 5. Pasig Shaw Branch, 6. Binondo Branch, 7. Manila Branch, 8. Makati G. Puyat Branch, 9. Alabang Branch, 10. Makati Ayala Branch

LUZON - 1. Baguio Branch, 2. Dagupan Branch, 3. Bacoor Branch, 4. Binan Branch

VISAYAS & MINDANAO - 1. Cebu Branch, 2. Lapu-Lapu Branch, 3. Bacolod Branch, 4. Iloilo Branch, 5. Cagayan de Oro Branch, 6. Davao Branch, 7. Zamboanga Branch

Please refer http://www.sss.gov.ph/sss/uploaded_images/circular/Cir-2014-003.pdf of the full text of circular.

Presentation of Tax Exemption Certificate or Ruling by Exempt Individuals and Entities

The bureau has issued the Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 8-2014 with regards to the presentation of Tax Exemption Certificate or Ruling by exempt Individuals and Entities.

This Revenue Circular stated that pursuant to Sections 57 to 59 and Sections 78 to 83 of the Tax Code, in relation to Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 02-1998, as amended, certain items of income are made subject to the payment of withholding taxes (final tax, creditable/expanded withholding tax, withholding tax on compensation) at the rates prescribed therein.

Besides, under the provisions of existing tax laws and administrative issuances, however, some individuals, entities and transactions are considered exempt from imposition of taxes on income and, consequently, from withholding taxes.

In this regard, the concerned withholding agents shall require all individuals and entities claiming such exemption to provide a copy of a valid, current and subsisting tax exmeption certificate or ruling, as per existing administrative issuances and any issuance that may be issued time to time, before payment of the related income. The tax exemption certificate or ruling must explicitly recognize the grant of tax exemption, as well as the corresponding exemption from imposition of withholding tax. Failure on the part of the taxpayer to present the said tax exemption certificate or ruling herein required shall subject him to the payment of appropriate withholding taxes due on the transaction. On the other hand, the withholding agent's failure to withhold notwithstanding the lac of tax exemption certificate or ruling shall cause the imposition or penalties under Section 251 and other pertinent Sections of the Tax Code.

Please refer ftp://ftp.bir.gov.ph/webadmin1/pdf/82437RMC%20No%208-2014.pdf  of the full text RMC No. 8-2014.

Further Amendment of the Revised Forms No. 1700, 1701, and 1702

The Bureau recently issued the Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 9, 2014 to further amend Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 57-2011, entitled "Revised Forms No. 1700, 1701, and 1702 under the first and second paragraphs read as follows:

"This circular further amends BIR Forms No. 1700, 1701, and 1702, previously amended under Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 40-2011. The amendment consists mainly in making disclosure of Supplemental Information under BIR Form Nos. 1700 and 1701 optional on the part of the taxpayer for income tax filing covering and starting with calendar year 2013, due for filing on or before April 15, 2014, and remaining of BIR Form No. 1702 as of a November 2011 version (now, renamed 1702-RT, 1702-EX and 1702-MX, version 2013).

Individual Income tax filers using forms No. 1700 and 1701 are however advised that for income tax filing covering and starting with calendar year 2014, the disclosures required under the Supplemental Information portion of the said forms will be mandatory. Thus, the taxpayers are advised to demand from their payors, and properly document their BIR Form No. 2307 and other pieces of evidence for final taxes withheld. Likewise, said taxpayers should properly receipt and book their tax-exempt income."

Under the RMC, it is stated that in any returns filed with the BIR, indivudual taxpayers are given the option to use either (a) their community tax certificate, (b) passport, or (c) driver's license.

Please refer ftp://ftp.bir.gov.ph/webadmin1/pdf/82594RMC%20No%209-2014.pdf of the full text of RMC No. 9-2014.

Related blog: http://philippinetaxtalk.blogspot.com/2014/02/new-income-tax-forms-covering-and.html

Clarifications on the Registration and Compliance Requirements of Marginal Income Earners

The CIR just recently issued the Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 7-2014 to clarify the issues with regards to the registration and compliance requirements of marginal income earners pursuant to Revenue Regulations No 7-2012.

Under the RR, Marginal Income Earner (MIE) defined in Section 3 as follows:

"Marginal Income Earner - shall refer to those individual whose business do not realize gross sales or receipts exceeding P100,000 in any 12-month period."

The individual referred to in that section is an individual not deriving compensation as an employee under employer-employee relationship but who is self-employed and deriving gross sales or receipts not exceeding P100,000 in any 12-month period. Moreover, the activities of such MIE should be principally for subsistence or livelihood. The MIE, as herein defined, shall include but not limited to agricultural growers/produces (farmers/fishermen) selling directly to ultimate consumers, small sari-sari stores, small carinderias or "turo-turos", drivers/operators of a single unit tricycle, and such, but shall not include licensed professionals, consultants, artists, sales agents, brokers and others similarly situated, including all others whose income have been subjected to withholding tax.

Under the RMC, the incidence of being a MIE as required under RR 7-2012 covers the following privileges and minimum registration and tax compliance requirements:

1. Registration with the Bureau using BIR Form 1901 with the following minimal documentary requirements:

i. Sworn Statement of Income for the year (Annex "A"); and

ii. NSO Certified or Local Civil Registry Birth Certificate;

2. Exemption from the payment of Annual Registration Fee (ARF);

3. Registration of Books of Accounts (e. g. two-column journal or other simplified books for daily expenses and revenues);

4. Issuance of registered principal receipts/sales invoices as prescribed under RMO 12-2013;

5. Filing and Payment of Annual Income Tax Return using BIR Form 1701 similar to any other self-employed individuals; and

6. Exemption from payment of business taxes (i.e. VAT or any Percentage Tax).

Besides, it also stated that upon evaluation of application for registration, the BIR District Office shall issue the Certificate of Registration and shall likewise ensure compliance with the registration of books of accounts, and issuance of Authority To Print for their Principal Receipts/Sales Invoices.

Please refer ftp://ftp.bir.gov.ph/webadmin1/pdf/82435RMC%20No%207-2014.pdf of the full text of RMC 7-2014.

Amending Certain Provisions of Section 10 of RR No. 10-2010 "Exchange of Information Regulations"

The bureau has amended the Section 2 of RR No. 10-2010 under the new Revenue Regulations No. 3-2014 as follows:

"A taxpayer shall be duly notified in writing by the Commissioner that a foreign tax authority is requesting for exchange of information held by financial institutions pursuant to an international convention or agreement on tax matter within sixty (60) days from receipt of the said request.

However, if notification within this period will undermine the chances of success of the investigation conducted by the requesting foreign tax authority, the taxpayer shall notified by the requesting foreign tax authority, the taxpayer shall notified within six (6) calendar months from receipt of the request."

Please refer ftp://ftp.bir.gov.ph/webadmin1/pdf/82785RR%20No%20%203-2014.pdf of the full tex of the revenue regulations.

Extending the Provisional Accreditation of Printers of Manually Printed Receipts and Invoices Up to February 28, 2014

The Bureau issued the Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 6-2014 to extend the Provisional Accreditation of Printers of Manually Printed Receipts and Invoices Up to February 28, 2014 related to Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 15-2012 and Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) No. 13-2013.

According to the Circular, it is issued to extend the provisional accreditation of printers up to February 28, 2014, RDOs thru the N/RAB shall be given ample time to cover all deemed accredited printers for the conduct of evaluation/onsite inspection.

If not complied either by the taxpayer or concerned BIR personnel, shall be subject to sanctions/penalties in accordance with the Tax Code, as amended.

Please refer ftp://ftp.bir.gov.ph/webadmin1/pdf/82092RMC%20No%206-2014.pdf of the full text of Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 6-2014.

New Income Tax Forms Covering and Starting the Taxable Year ended December 31, 2013

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) just recently issued to authorized the use new BIR forms for income tax returns (ITRs) filing covering and starting the Taxable Year ended December 31, 2013.

Under Section 3 of this revenue regulations, all taxpayers required to file their ITRs under Section 51 (A)(1) of the Tax Code and those not required to file under Section 51 (A)(2) but who opted to do so, covering and starting taxable year ended December 31, 2013 shall use the applicable forms as follows:

1. BIR Form No. 1700 version June 2013 (Annual Income Tax Return for Individuals Earning Purely Comensation Income);

2. BIR Form No. 1701 version June 2013 (Annual Income Tax Return for Self-Employed Individuals, Estates and Trusts);

3. BIR Form No. 1702-RT version June 2013 (Annual Income Tax Return for Corporations, Partnerships and Other Non-Individual Taxpayers Subject Only of the REGULAR Income Tax Rate);

4. BIR Form No. 1702-EX version June 2013 (Annual Income Tax Return for Use Only by Corporations, Partnerships and Other Non-Individual Taxpayers EXEMPT under the Tax Code, as amended, (Sec. 30 and those exempted in Sec. 27 (C) and Other Special Laws, with NO Other Taxable Income); and

5. BIR Form No. 1702-MX versions June 2013 (Annual Income Tax Return for Corporations, Partnerships and Other Non-Individuals with Mixed Income Subject to Multiple Income Tax Rate or with Income Subject to Special/Preferential Rate).

It also stated in Section 4 of this regulations the rounding to the nearest peso in the ITR. If the amount of centavos is 49 or less, drop down the centavos (e.g., P100.49 = P100). If the amount is 50 centavos or more, round up to the next peso (e.g., P100.50 = P101.00).

In addition, under Section 5 of this regulations requires the mandatory itemized deductions as follows:

A. Corporations, partnerships and other non-individuals are mandated to use the itemized deductions in the following cases:

1. Those exempt under the Tax Code, as amended (Section 30 and those exempted under Section 27(C)) and other special laws, with no other taxable income;

2. Those with income subject to special/preferential tax rates; and

3. Those with income subject to income tax rate under Section 27(A) and 28(A)(1) of the Tax Code, as amended, and also with income subject to special/preferential tax rates.

Juridical entities whose taxable base is the gross revenue or receipts (e.g., non-resident foreign international carriers) are not entitled to the itemized deductions nor to the optional standard deduction (OSD) under Section 34(L) of the Tax Code, as amended.

B. Individual taxpayers who are not entitled to avail of the OSD and thus use only the itemized deduction method are as follows:

1. Those exempt under the Tax Code, as amended, and other special laws with no other taxable income (e.g Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE));

2. Those with income subject to special/preferential tax rates; and

3. Those with income subject to income tax rate under Section 24 of the Tax Code, as amended, and also with income subject to special/preferential tax rates.

Please refer ftp://ftp.bir.gov.ph/webadmin1/pdf/82199RR%20No%20%202-2014.pdf of the full text of Revenue Regulations No. 2-2014 and BIR Form 1700; BIR Form 1701;BIR Form 1702-RT;BIR Form 1702-EX &BIR Form 1702-MX of the New Income Tax Forms covering and starting the Taxable Year ended December 31, 2013.