Title
Excise Tax Amendments on Alcohol, Tobacco Products
Law
Republic Act No. 8240
Decision Date
Nov 22, 1996
Amendments to the NIRC in the Philippines impose specific taxes on distilled spirits, wines, liquor, and cigarettes, with varying rates based on net retail price, and establish an oversight committee to monitor implementation and allocate revenue to tobacco-producing provinces.

Taxation on Wines

  • Specific excise tax per liter of volume capacity based on type and net retail price
  • Sparkling wines/champagnes taxed at P100 or P300 depending on price threshold (P500)
  • Still wines taxed at P12 or P24 depending on alcohol concentration (14% or less, more than 14% but not exceeding 25%)
  • Fortified wines (above 25% alcohol by volume) taxed as distilled spirits
  • Tax rates increased by 12% from January 1, 2000
  • Net retail price classification based on major supermarkets in Metro Manila, excluding taxes
  • Brand classifications effective as of October 1, 1996, until amended by Congress

Taxation on Fermented Liquor

  • Specific excise tax imposed on beer, lager, ale, porter, and other fermented liquors excluding tuba, basi, tapuy and similar domestic variants
  • Rates differentiated by net retail price per liter: P6.15 (<P14.50), P9.15 (P14.50-P22), P12.15 (>P22)
  • Variants of brands taxed according to highest variant classification
  • Microbrewery and small establishment brewed liquor taxed at highest rate
  • Minimum tax guarantees for brands set at levels not lower than October 1, 1996, for three years
  • Tax rates increased by 12% effective January 1, 2000
  • Net retail price determined by prices from major supermarkets in Metro Manila or respective regions
  • Monthly sworn statement of sales volume required from brewers/importers; penalties for misdeclaration include permit cancellation and fines
  • Criminal liabilities for violations with deportation provisions for non-citizens

Taxation on Cigars and Cigarettes

  • Cigars taxed at P1 per cigar
  • Cigarettes packed by hand taxed at P0.40 per pack
  • Machine-packed cigarettes taxed progressively based on net retail price with thresholds at P5, P6.50, and P10 per pack
  • Tax rates for higher priced cigarettes up to P12 per pack
  • Variant brands taxed according to highest classification variant
  • Tax on brands guaranteed not to be lower than levels as of October 1, 1996, with phased increase if exceeding 70% increase
  • Cigarettes packed in twenties only
  • Tax rates increased by 12% as of January 1, 2000
  • Net retail price classification based on supermarket prices excluding excise and VAT
  • Monthly sworn statements of sales volume required from manufacturers/importers; misdeclaration penalties include permit withdrawal and treble fines
  • Criminal liabilities under Section 253 of the Code with deportation for non-citizens

Implementation Schedule and Stamps

  • New tax rates effective from January 1, 1997
  • Mandatory use of internal revenue stamps on cigar and cigarette packs
  • Tax and duty-free excisable articles to be marked accordingly by the Secretary of Finance

Annexes and Brand Classification

  • Specific brand classifications adopted and made integral part of the Act:
    • Annex A for distilled spirits
    • Annex B for wines
    • Annex C for fermented liquor
    • Annex D for cigarettes

Allocation of Incremental Revenue from Tobacco Excise Tax

  • 15% of incremental revenue allocated to tobacco producing provinces based on production volume
  • Funds designated for cooperative projects, livelihood, alternative farming systems, and agro-industrial projects
  • Department of Budget and Management to issue implementing rules in consultation with Oversight Committee

Oversight Committee

  • Composed of Chairmen and members from Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Ways and Means
  • Responsible for monitoring and ensuring proper implementation of the Act

Rulemaking and Severability

  • Secretary of Finance empowered to promulgate implementing rules upon recommendation of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue
  • Provision for severability ensures remaining provisions remain effective if any part declared invalid

Repealing Clause

  • Laws, decrees, rules, executive orders inconsistent with the Act are repealed, amended or modified accordingly

Effectivity

  • The Act took effect on January 1, 1997

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