Companies are on a buying spree, making the most of cheap financing to snap up compatible businesses across the world. In January 2017, the value of M&A deals hit a six-year high worldwide. In Europe it set an 11-year record and cross-border deals were estimated to be at their highest level since 2006
Every time I am asked to give an advice to new hires in our Firm, I never failed to mention to them: “Read books!” Also, I usually make a random survey of new hires who are habitual readers by a show of hands, and sadly, those who read are less than 10 percent of the batch. In this age of YouTube, mobile gaming, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, books, indeed, have a formidable competition. The youth find it easier to surf than to read. Nowadays, reading is likely seen by the youth as a chore and, to some, even geeky; not realizing the many benefits of reading. How do we, indeed, entice the young to read and see the benefits of reading?
FILIPINOS spend more time on social media than anyone else in the world, according to a recent global study conducted by the social media marketing firm, We Are Social. As of January this year, 58 percent of the country’s population (around 60 million Filipinos) is connected to the internet. The study added that in 2016, Filipinos spent an average of 4.17 hours daily on social media; 3.6 hours of which (three-quarters of that time) were spent using their smartphones.
Does the current Bank Secrecy law serve as a citadel for investors or depositors against possible abuse of power by the government, or does it provide a shield for tax evaders? Balancing of interests is a continuing challenge for the State, and with the advent of the tax reforms of the Duterte administration and with the introduction of House Bill 4774, the need to balance these interests once again arises.
How do I value my company, a client recently asked me. The client’s company has been in the red, losing money for years, but a buyer is still interested. Many of the entrepreneurs have been asking the same question: how does one figure out the value of a business? For a famous example, how did Jollibee come up with a P3 billion price for a 70 percent stake in Mang Inasal way back in 2010?
February 14, Valentine’s Day. To some of us, it’s the most romantic day of the year. Others dread it. But to Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)-registered entities, it’s a mere 14 days before the submission of its latest requirement.
At a conference recently held by professional accountants where the key features of the House Bill (HB) No. 4774, also known as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAI), were presented, the participants elicited the strongest reaction to the proposed changes in bookkeeping rules. The reaction is understandable, considering that these professional accountants know firsthand the challenges taxpayers face in their businesses, which include, among others, complying with complex tax rules and time-consuming bookkeeping requirements.
It is axiomatic in a democratic society that no one should be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, i.e., to be given a chance to heard and present a case according to the rules set forth by the authorities before any action can be taken. Failing this, any action of the government to take one’s life, liberty or property is void and of no effect. In a recent decision promulgated by the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) in Mannasoft Technology Corp. vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, CTA Case no. 8745 dated Jan. 13, 2017, the CTA Third Division reiterated the importance of strictly adhering to the rules set by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in conducting tax assessments.
