Title
Tax Amnesty Law for 2017 and Prior Years
Law
Republic Act No. 11213
Decision Date
Feb 14, 2019
The Tax Amnesty Act in the Philippines aims to simplify tax compliance requirements and enhance revenue administration by providing amnesty for estate taxes, general taxes, and delinquencies, allowing individuals and entities to pay reduced amnesty taxes and enjoy immunities from penalties and liabilities.
A

Definitions

  • Basic tax assessed: Latest tax assessment excluding interest, penalties, surcharges.
  • Net estate: Gross estate minus allowable deductions at decedent’s time of death.
  • Net undeclared estate: Difference between declared and total net estate.
  • Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Networth: Declaration of assets, liabilities, and net worth as of December 31, 2017.
  • Total asset: Aggregate of all assets regardless of nature and location.

Estate Tax Amnesty (Title II)

  • Covers estates of decedents who died on or before December 31, 2017, with unpaid or accrued estate taxes.
  • Tax rate for amnesty: 6% of total net estate or net undeclared estate if a return was filed.
  • Minimum tax for estates with deductions exceeding gross estate: PHP 5,000.
  • Filing period: Within two years from effectivity of Implementing Rules and Regulations.
  • Filing venue: BIR Revenue District Office with jurisdiction over decedent’s last residence.
  • Filing documents: Sworn Estate Tax Amnesty Return, proof of estate settlement.
  • Effect: Amnesty return is presumptively correct; immunity from related civil, criminal, and administrative liabilities.
  • Exclusions: Cases finalized or pending involving corruption, unexplained wealth, money laundering, tax evasion crimes, and felonies under the Revised Penal Code.

General Tax Amnesty (Title III)

  • Covers all national internal revenue taxes unpaid for taxable year 2017 and prior years.
  • Taxpayers may pay amnesty tax based on either total assets (2%) or total net worth (varied rates depending on taxpayer type).
  • Minimum tax thresholds based on taxpayer classification (individuals, corporations by capital, other juridical entities).
  • Filing within one year from effectivity of Implementing Rules and Regulations.
  • Required documents: Sworn General Tax Amnesty Return with notarized Statement of Total Assets or Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Networth.
  • Incentive for early payment: Tax due reduced by 20%, 15%, or 10% depending on payment timing.
  • Immunities granted include exemption from taxes, penalties, and liability for audits for covered years; confidentiality of information; no examination of books except for verifying claims for refunds or credits.
  • Exceptions include withholding agents failing to remit taxes and taxpayers with pending or final court cases involving corruption, money laundering, tax evasion, or fraud.

Tax Amnesty on Delinquencies (Title IV)

  • Covers internal revenue tax delinquencies for taxable years 2017 and prior years.
  • Includes final and executory assessments, pending criminal tax cases, and withholding agents who failed to remit taxes.
  • Amnesty tax rates vary by case type: final assessments (40%), court judgments (50%), pending criminal cases with assessments (60%), withholding agents not remitting tax (100%).
  • Filing within one year of Implementing Rules and Regulations effectiveness; requires sworn Tax Amnesty on Delinquencies Return with Certification of Delinquency.
  • Payment due upon filing; issuance of Acceptance Payment Form required.
  • Immunity upon compliance includes settlement of delinquency and termination of related cases, with cancellation of assessments and lifting of levy actions.

Confidentiality and Non-Use of Information (Title V)

  • Information in Tax Amnesty Returns and related filings is confidential and not to be used in investigations or prosecutions.
  • Statements filed under this Act supersede previous income or asset declarations and cannot be used against the taxpayer.

Information Management System and Use of Proceeds (Title VI)

  • Department of Finance to coordinate with relevant agencies to maintain an information management system from tax amnesty data.
  • Compliance with Data Privacy Act required.
  • PHP 500 million from collections to establish tax database; excess funds to support social and infrastructure projects under TRAIN law.

Offenses and Penalties (Title VII)

  • Unlawful divulging of confidential tax information by BIR officers punishable by fines from PHP 50,000 to PHP 1,000,000 and imprisonment from 2 to 5 years.
  • Unauthorized disclosure of Tax Amnesty Return information punishable by fine of PHP 150,000 and imprisonment of 6 to 10 years; officers offenders face higher penalties and perpetual disqualification from public office.

Congressional Oversight and Final Provisions (Title VIII)

  • Commissioner of Internal Revenue to report to an Oversight Committee within six months after amnesty periods.
  • Secretary of Finance to issue rules and regulations within 90 days of effectivity.
  • Separability and repealing clauses included.
  • Act effective 15 days after complete publication.

Analyze Cases Smarter, Faster
Jur helps you analyze cases smarter to comprehend faster, building context before diving into full texts. AI-powered analysis, always verify critical details.