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The government has announced that it is imposing the third enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in certain areas across the country, the strictest form of quarantine in which everyone, except essential workers, is restricted from going out. However, we should know that our responsibility as taxpayers is not put on hold despite constraints brought on by government lockdowns.

It is innate in every human being to have basic rights. They can never be taken away. They are valid and universal. In the corporate context, taxpayers are entitled to due process. Whether they be small or big businesses, they are entitled to the right to due process and equal protection of the law.

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. If we find it difficult to handle stress, relate to others, and make choices, then there might be a problem. This is generally applicable to all, and with a lot of problems in today’s trying times and various tax rules to think about, these can take their toll on taxpayers’ mental health.

The imposition of 12% Value-Added Tax (VAT) on local purchases of PEZA-registered enterprises continues to attract debate and draw concerns. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) issued Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 9-2021 stating that certain sales which were previously considered zero-rated for VAT are now subject to 12% VAT. This RR implements the provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 10963 or the Tax Reform and Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act.

Two weeks ago, our Let’s Talk Tax article covered the new Value-Added Tax (VAT) rules on sale of goods to ecozone entities and exporters. This was pursuant to Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 9-2021 which imposed 12% VAT on certain transactions that were previously taxed at 0%. The RR met with strong opposition from various stakeholders because of the impact on the export industry, and taxpayers clamored for a clarificatory Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) issuance. While discussions are still up in the air, it is apparent that affected taxpayers should also consider the possibility of going through the VAT refund process route for the 12% input VAT passed on to them.

Considering the recent developments in the taxation landscape and the Philippines’ wide network of bilateral tax treaties for transactions with foreign entities, it has become apparent that one of the government’s objectives is to improve efficiency and services to taxpayers. In fact, on June 25, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) issued Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 77-2021, which clarifies the revised guidelines and procedures for availing of tax treaty benefits provided under Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) No. 14-2021.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) recently issued Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 9-2021 which imposed 12% Value-Added Tax (VAT) on certain transactions that were previously taxed at 0%. The RR took effect on June 27, 2021, 15 days from its publication.

More than a year after the onset of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the government continues to ramp up its efforts to reduce financial distress brought by the public health crisis. As part of its response, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) issued Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 8-2021 on June 12. RR 8-2021 seeks to amend RR 4-2021 which was initially issued to implement Value-Added Tax (VAT) and Percentage Taxes under Republic Act (RA) 11534 or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act.