Title
Amendments to National Internal Revenue Code
Law
Presidential Decree No. 1994
Decision Date
Nov 5, 1985
Presidential Decree No. 1994 amends the National Internal Revenue Code in the Philippines, addressing unlawful divulgence of trade secrets, granting the President power to adjust internal revenue taxes, renumbering and amending sections within the Code, and repealing inconsistent laws, decrees, and regulations.
A

Amendment to Section 7: Powers of the Commissioner to Obtain Information and Enforce Tax Compliance

  • The Commissioner may examine books, papers, records, or data relevant to tax inquiries.
  • Can obtain information from national and local government offices, including government-owned or controlled corporations and the Central Bank.
  • Authorized to summon liable taxpayers, employees, or custodians of records to appear, produce documents, and give testimony under oath.
  • Can order revenue officers to canvass districts or regions to identify persons liable for taxes and objects subject to tax.

Amendment to Section 16: Powers of the Commissioner to Make Assessments

  • Upon filing, the Commissioner examines returns and assesses correct tax amounts; assessed taxes must be paid upon notice.
  • Returns bearing official seals cannot be withdrawn but may be amended by filing an amended return.
  • Commissioner can assess taxes on best evidence when reports are not filed or suspected false.
  • Authority to create returns or amend them when returns are false, fraudulent, or not filed; such returns are prima facie evidence.
  • May order inventory taking or surveillance during the taxable year if income declaration is suspected inaccurate, using findings for assessment.
  • Can prescribe presumptive gross sales or receipts when violations or inaccuracies are found, creating prima facie basis for tax liabilities.
  • Authorized to terminate tax periods if a taxpayer is retiring, leaving the country, or acts to obstruct tax collection; tax becomes immediately due.
  • Commissioner may set fair market values of real properties by zones for tax computation, considering either Commissioner’s valuation or local assessors’ values—whichever is higher.
  • Authorized to inquire into bank deposit accounts for estate and tax determinations, overriding certain confidentiality provisions; waiver required for compromise offers.
  • May accredit and register tax agents and establish accreditation boards subject to rules and approval by the Minister of Finance.

Amendment to Section 19: National Internal Revenue Taxes Defined

  • Enumerated national internal revenue taxes include income tax, estate and gift taxes, excise taxes, business taxes, documentary stamp taxes, mining taxes, and miscellaneous taxes.
  • Miscellaneous taxes include taxes on banks, finance companies, insurance companies, franchises, amusements, forest product charges, tobacco inspection fees, and other taxes collected by the Bureau.

Amendment to Section 21(d): Tax on Interest from Bank Deposits

  • Interest from Philippine currency bank deposits and yields from deposit substitutes, trust funds, and similar arrangements are subject to a final tax of 17.5%.
  • Tax applies to citizens and resident alien individuals with payment provisions under Sections 51 and 52.

Amendment to Section 24(b)(2)(ii): Tax on Branch Profits Remittances

  • Branch profits remitted to head office are subject to a 15% tax, except branches registered with the Export Processing Zone Authority.
  • Branch profits remitted from petroleum operations head offices are taxed at 7.5%.
  • Interests, dividends, rents, royalties, salaries, and other gains received by foreign corporations not effectively connected with Philippine trade are excluded from branch profits definition.

Amendments to Section 24(cc) Renumbered as 24(d) and Addition of 24(e): Interest and Royalties Taxation

  • Interest on Philippine currency bank deposits and monetary benefits received by domestic or resident foreign corporations taxed at 17.5% final tax, with exemptions for foreign governments, certain financing institutions, and international institutions.
  • Royalties subject to a 15% final tax with returns and payments as provided by law.

Addition to Section 29(c)(7): Prizes and Awards Exemption

  • Prizes and awards recognizing religious, charitable, scientific, educational, artistic, literary, or civic achievement are exempt if:
    1. The recipient was selected without actively entering the contest.
    2. The recipient is not required to provide substantial future services.

Amendments to Section 30: Deductions and Allowable Expenses

  • Private educational institutions may elect to deduct expenses as capital outlays or depreciation allowances for school facility expansions.
  • General rules on allowable interest expense deductions for persons engaged in business or profession; complications addressed for branches and non-resident aliens with conditions.
  • Losses claimed for estate tax purposes cannot be deducted again for income tax.

Amendment to Section 34(h): Taxation on Sale or Exchange of Capital Asset Real Property

  • Sales, exchanges, or dispositions of real property by individuals, estates, and trusts taxed at 5% on gross selling price or fair market value, whichever is higher.
  • Tax imposed is in lieu of income tax on gain from sale, with specific provisions for sales to governmental entities.
  • Installment payment provisions detailed; failure to pay tax results in disqualification from installment method.
  • Registration of documents transferring real property prohibited without certification of tax payment.

Amendment to Section 35(b): Basis of Property Acquired

  • Cost basis for property acquired by purchase or fair market value as of acquisition date if inherited.
  • For property acquired by gift or less than full consideration, basis to the transferee is the same as donor's or transferor's.

Amendment to Section 37(b): Allocation of Expenses to Income from Sources within the Philippines

  • Deductions allowed against gross income from Philippine sources must be properly allocated and substantiated.
  • Any remainder treated entirely as net income from Philippine sources.

Amendment to Section 51(a)(1): Payment and Assessment of Income Tax

  • Tax must be paid at the time the return is filed.
  • For tramp vessels, shipping/husbanding agents or captains must file return and pay tax before vessel departure.
  • Bureau of Customs authorized to detain vessels until tax or bond is secured.

Amendment to Section 53(d)(1) Renumbered as Section 51(d)(1): Withholding Final Tax

  • Banks and financial institutions must withhold 17.5% final tax on interest from deposits, deposit substitutes, trust funds, and similar arrangements.

Amendment to Section 58 Renumbered as Section 56: Estate and Trust Exemption

  • Estates and trusts are allowed a tax exemption of Four Thousand Pesos.

Amendment to Section 76 Renumbered as Section 70: License Requirement for Collection of Foreign Payments

  • Persons or entities undertaking collection of foreign payments must secure a license from the Commissioner.
  • Subject to regulations for submission of required information.

Amendment to Section 101(a)(1)(C) Renumbered as Section 89: Claims Against Estate

  • For loans incurred within three years before decedent's death, debt instrument must be notarized.
  • Administrator/executor must submit a statement showing loan proceeds disposition.

Amendment to Section 103 Renumbered as Section 91: Estate Valuation

  • Usufruct and annuities valued considering life expectancy based on American Tropical Experience Table.
  • Estate appraised at fair market value as of death.
  • Real property valued at the higher of Commissioner’s fair market value or local assessors’ schedule.

Amendment to Section 105 Renumbered as Section 93: Estate Tax Return Filing Time

  • Estate tax returns must be filed within ninety days from decedent's death.
  • Certified copy of partition schedule and court order to be furnished to Commissioner within thirty days after court order.

Title IV Amendments: Excise Taxes

General Provisions

  • Excise taxes imposed on articles manufactured locally for domestic sale or imported, excluding exports without return.
  • Specific taxes based on physical measurement; ad valorem taxes based on selling price or value.

Payment on Domestic Products

  • Manufacturers/producers pay excise taxes before product removal, except certain petroleum products with 15-day payment grace.
  • Gross selling price determined at wholesale level; minimum profit margin of 10% added if price is below cost.
  • Manufacturers must file sworn statements detailing products and prices.

Payment on Imports

  • Importers pay excise taxes before Customs release.
  • Purchasers of tax-free imported articles reselling to non-exempt persons are liable for taxes, which are liens on the articles.
  • Import excise tax rates match locally manufactured articles unless specified otherwise.

Tax Computation for Packages

  • Fractions of proof liters taxed as whole or exempt accordingly.

Conditional Tax-Free Removal

  • Regulated, permit-based tax-free withdrawal of wines and spirits for tobacco treatment.
  • Denatured alcohol exempt from certain excise taxes but subject to other taxes.
  • Petroleum products sold to foreign international carriers exempt from excise taxes if reciprocal exemptions apply.

Excise Tax on Alcohol Products

  • Specific taxes imposed on distilled spirits based on raw materials and production methods.
  • Ad valorem tax on compounded liquors at 4% of gross selling price.
  • Wine taxes differentiated by type and alcohol content.
  • Fermented liquors taxed by specific and ad valorem taxes.

Excise Tax on Tobacco Products

  • Specific taxes imposed per kilogram on various tobacco forms.
  • Cigars and cigarettes taxed based on wholesale or retail prices with tiered rates.
  • Imported cigarettes taxed at a fixed rate.

Excise Tax on Petroleum Products

  • Specific and/or ad valorem taxes imposed on refined mineral oils, fuels, and manufactured oils.
  • Rates vary by product type and use.

Miscellaneous Articles

  • Ad valorem and specific excise taxes imposed on matches, fireworks, coal, cinematographic films, videotapes, and saccharine.

Amendments to Time for Payment of Fixed Taxes and Fixed Taxes Rates

  • Fixed taxes are due annually by the first month of the taxable year.
  • New fixed tax rates imposed on various businesses and service providers, including dealers, manufacturers, forest operators, and automotive sectors.

Percentage Tax Amendme

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