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For 2016, the Philippines’ national budget is around P3 trillion and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is tasked to collect around P2 trillion. Out of the BIR’s total collection target, about P1.243 trillion is expected to come from income taxes. That is how important income taxes are for the country, accounting for around 41% of the national budget. It is interesting to note, however, that a lot of countries are now shifting their focus to indirect tax. The primary reasons behind the global shift to indirect tax are discussed in an article released by Grant Thornton International (Grant Thornton) entitled “Rethinking Tax: The shift to indirect tax,” and I would like to share this article with you.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is continuously intensifying its efforts in collecting taxes. As a result, more taxpayers are receiving Letters of Authority and being subjected to various forms of BIR examination. Therefore, it is recommended that taxpayers prepare for possible tax audits not just by reconciling their books but also of equipping themselves with knowledge on tax laws and regulations, particularly on the due process applicable to tax examinations.

Taxation will always be contentious. Many Filipino taxpayers still struggle to understand taxation and tax compliance; among them there has emerged the view that the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) regulations and processes are far from ideal. So let’s examine the bold statement in the Bureau’s vision and mission -- “The Bureau of Internal Revenue is an institution of service excellence and integrity. We collect taxes through just enforcement of tax laws for nation building and the upliftment of the lives of Filipinos.” That guiding principle informs Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) No. 6-2016, which was issued prescribing the strategic plan of the BIR for 2016 to 2020.

We may therefore be allowed to wonder, how will the BIR conduct the transfer pricing audit? What is the advantage of having transfer pricing documentation? How will the transfer pricing documentation affect our tax treaty relief application (TTRA)?

Taxation is the lifeblood of the government. For the government to function, it needs its citizens to contribute to this lifeblood. With the mandate to assess and collect national taxes, the BIR is starting off 2016 with two things: a collection goal through Revenue Memorandum Order No. 2-2016 and a number of programs to attain that as summarized in Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 14-2016.

It is day 12 of 2016. Corporations, partnerships, professionals and sole proprietorships should already be working on the renewal of their respective business registration/permits with the local government units (LGUs). I’m sharing in this article some issues that business establishments may encounter in the renewal of their business registration.

As the New Year sets in, tax investigations which were suspended by virtue of RMC 75-2015 will also resume. Fortunately before 2015 ended, the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) promulgated a decision which may give hope to taxpayers under investigation.

Now that the gifts have been unwrapped and the countless Christmas parties are done, we now look to the preparations for the new year. Some of us are probably still enjoying the much needed vacation while some of us are back at the office looking forward to the next set of holidays which start tomorrow. Soon after, we will bid adieu to 2015 and welcome the new year -- what better time to look back at the events that shaped our lives in the past year?