back

Global site

Global site
Africa
Americas
Asia Pacific
Europe
Middle East

Skip to content
Skip to navigation

type to see results

back

Audit and Assurance
Tax Advisory and Compliance
Advisory Services
Outsourcing and Managed Services
Japan Desk

We deliver value-added audit and assurance services to our clients, helping them manage their fiscal responsibilities with prudence and foresight.

See Overview

Audit approach overview
Our audit approach will allow our client's accounting personnel to make the maximum contribution to the audit effort without compromising their ongoing responsibilities
Annual and short period audit
At P&A Grant Thornton, we provide annual and short period financial statement audit services that go beyond the normal expectations of our clients. We believe strongly that our best work comes from combining outstanding technical expertise, knowledge and ability with exceptional client-focused service. A team-based approach defined by dedication to partner involvement in all engagements—that’s our service commitment locally and globally. An organization’s financial statements are a reference of choice for a variety of users who are required to make decisions. Whether it is a financial institution, a government agency, creditors, shareholders, or potential buyers, every one of your partners requires financial information that accurately reflects the soundness of your organization.
Review engagement
A review involves limited investigation with a narrower scope than an audit, and is undertaken for the purpose of providing limited assurance that the management’s representations are in accordance with identified financial reporting standards. Our professionals recognize that in order to conduct a quality financial statement review, it is important to look beyond the accounting entries to the underlying activities and operations that give rise to them.
Other Related Services
We make it a point to keep our clients abreast of the developments and updates relating to the growing complexities in the accounting world. We offer seminars and trainings on audit- and tax-related matters, such as updates on Accounting Standards, new pronouncements and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) issuances, as well as other developments that affect our clients’ businesses. Participants are entitled to credited units for Continuing Professional Education (CPE), which are required by the Board of Accountancy. CPE is indicative of an individual’s genuine concern for his or her continued growth as a professional. Our team can help in achieving that.

Tax Advisory and Compliance

We help you identify the opportunities and pitfalls that can significantly affect your...

See Overview

Tax advisory
Assistance during tax audit/contesting an assessment We assist clients in handling audits by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Bureau of Customs (BOC) and local government units (LGUs) in a systematic and efficient manner. We help evaluate the validity of assessments, determine the appropriate documents and analyses to be submitted, prepare protests, and represent clients in meetings and discussions with government agencies. With our knowledge of tax laws and audit procedures, we help safeguard the substantive and procedural rights of taxpayers and prevent unwarranted assessments. Tax opinion and studies We conduct tax studies and provide advice to clients on the tax implications of specific transactions based on relevant laws, regulations, court decisions, rulings, and other relevant issuances. We likewise provide recommendations to address or mitigate tax issues arising from said transactions. Application for tax refund/credit We help clients recover taxes that have been erroneously or excessively paid or withheld through applications for refund or tax credit certificates (TCCs). Applications for refunds or TCCs are recommended for companies that have excess income taxes paid or unutilized creditable withholding taxes as reflected in the final income tax return (ITR), excess unutilized VAT input taxes arising from zero-rated transactions or change in VAT status, unutilized advanced VAT, excise taxes paid on petroleum products sold to tax-exempt entities and international carriers, other national or local taxes erroneously or excessively paid, or penalties imposed without authority.
Tax compliance
Tax review We evaluate clients’ overall level of compliance with existing laws and regulations; caution them on procedures and practices that expose them to potential tax liabilities; quantify tax exposures, risks and penalties; and advise them on proper course of action and alternative tax-efficient policies and procedures. Tax due diligence review is particularly recommended for companies that are contemplating expansion, mergers and consolidation, acquisitions, change in ownership, or public listing. Expatriate tax services We ensure the proper and efficient compliance of expatriates with their Philippine income tax obligations. Our services include registration and application for Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), preparation and filing of annual Philippine income tax return, and payment of tax due in the proper venue and within the allowed period. As a value-added service, we respond to Correspondence Audits/Inquiries by the BIR regarding information declared in the tax return. If desired by clients, we also conduct arrival or departure briefings and interviews to apprise the expatriate of his Philippine tax liabilities. Upon a company’s request, we can compute, on an annualized basis, the total withholding tax due from its expatriate during the taxable year and prepare tax equalization and reimbursement calculations in accordance with company policies.
Corporate services
Assistance for incentives availment We help clients evaluate their qualification for incentives under the Board of Investments, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority or other special laws. If clients are qualified, we assist them in applying with the concerned government agency for such incentives. Our assistance covers filing of the application and supporting documents, monitoring the progress of the application, meeting/discussion issues, if any, with regulatory authorities, and securing the approval for such incentives. At the clients’ request, we may also assist in ascertaining their compliance with regulatory requirements (to ensure the continued entitlement to incentives), or in justifying the entitlement to such incentives in the event of a challenge by the BIR or other regulatory agencies. Corporate organization and registration For clients that want to do business in the Philippines, we assist in determining the appropriate and tax-efficient operating business or investment vehicle and structure to address the objectives of the investor, as well as related incorporation issues. We help set up the business and register it with concerned government regulatory agencies, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Local Government Unit, the Social Security System and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. We also assist in notifying and/or securing necessary approvals from government regulatory agencies when there are changes in business activities, business status, or tax-type registration.
Tax education and advocacy
Tax advocacy We actively participate in consultation and public hearings conducted by the Bureau of Internal Revenue on proposed tax rules and regulations, serving as a bridge between our clients and the BIR. Our advocacy work focuses on clarifying the interpretation of laws and regulations, suggesting measures to increasingly ease tax compliance, and protecting taxpayer’s rights. Tax seminars and training We offer seminars and training on tax-related developments and special issues of interest to taxpayers. Upon request, we provide customized in-house tax training – designed jointly by P&A and the client – that directly addresses the specific issues of the client’s industry and the training needs of its personnel.

Advisory Services

We believe there is an optimal solution to every business challenge. Using our Firm's breadth and depth of specialized expertise, we work with you to find...

See Overview

Business risk services
Our business risk services cover a wide range of solutions that assist you in identifying, addressing and monitoring risks in your business. Such solutions include external quality assessments of your Internal Audit activities' conformance with standards as well as evaluating its readiness for such an external assessment. We can also take over your IA function altogether or work alongside you to create more value for your organization. On a higher level, our Enterprise Risk Management methodology can help your organization identify vital strategies and action plans that address key business risks, thereby enabling you to achieve your overall objective of value creation for stakeholders.
Business consulting services
Our business consulting services are aimed at addressing concerns in your operations, processes and systems. Using our extensive knowledge of various industries, we can take a close look at your business processes as we create solutions that can help you mitigate risks to meet your objectives, promote efficiencies, and beef up controls. This can include analyzing your information technology (IT) applications and infrastructure in order to improve IT governance and strategy, strengthen security, and/or assess business risks and controls related to the use of IT.
Transaction services
Transaction advisory includes all of our services specifically directed at assisting in investment, mergers and acquisitions, and financing transactions between and among businesses, lenders and governments. Such services include, among others, due diligence reviews, project feasibility studies, financial modelling, model audits and valuation. We are one of the few companies accredited by the Philippine Stock Exchange for the conduct of valuation and issuance of fairness opinions. Our consortium with another Grant Thornton office and a Philippine law office is also one of the fourteen (14) members of the panel of transaction advisers of the Public-Private Partnership Center of the Philippines.
Forensic advisory
Our forensic advisory services include assessing your vulnerability to fraud and identifying fraud risk factors, and recommending practical solutions to eliminate the gaps. We also provide investigative services to detect and quantify fraud and corruption and to trace assets and data that may have been lost in a fraud event.
Cyber advisory
Our focus is to help you identify and manage the cyber risks you might be facing within your organization. Our team can provide detailed, actionable insight that incorporates industry best practices and standards to strengthen your cybersecurity position and help you make informed decisions.
ProActive Hotline
Providing support in preventing and detecting fraud by creating a safe and secure whistleblowing system to promote integrity and honesty in the organisation.

Outsourcing and Managed Services

We provide solid, first-rate support for your key accounting and administrative activities, such as outsourced accounting, payroll, and accounting-related...

See Overview

Accounting services
Accounting services Many multinational companies are setting up their accounting offices in the Philippines. These businesses realize that accounting functions can be standardized across companies around the world and handled by an office halfway across the globe for a fraction of the amount needed to maintain an in-house accounting division. At P&A Grant Thornton, we handle accounting services for several companies from a wide range of industries. Our approach is highly flexible. You may opt to outsource all your accounting functions, or pass on to us choice activities, such as
Staff augmentation services
Staff Augmentation Services It is a familiar enough scenario: A company suddenly has an urgent need for personnel on a short term, project basis to do accounting or accounting-related work. Considering the short-term nature of the work, it becomes very difficult to find interested candidates. Moreover, companies do not need just anybody, but people with sufficient technical accounting skills. P&A Grant Thornton has a pool of skilled accounting specialists who can fill the gap for companies in such situations. We offer Staff Augmentation services where our staff, under the direction and supervision of the company’s officers, perform accounting and accounting-related work. We have a long list of clients that have benefited from our assistance with the following activities: · Migration from one accounting system to another accounting system · Bank reconciliation for several bank accounts that have not been reconciled for years · Data cleansing, such as reconciliation of balances in subsidiary ledgers of receivables and payables with the general ledger balances · Physical counts of inventories and reconciling the results of the physical count with the accounting records · Count of property and equipment; tagging and reconciliation of the count with the accounting records; and properly setting up the property ledgers · Preparation of schedules and documentary supports and requirements during audits by internal and external parties, including government agencies · Preparation of statements of accounts for certain customers · Acting as accounting personnel while regular accounting staff are on leave This is just a sampling of the services we offer, and we can provide more short-term accounting services on short notice. We can adjust the schedules of our people to fit your work hours and we guarantee high-quality service: Our team is made up of technically competent and properly trained people who are prepared to handle your needs.
Payroll Processing
More and more companies are beginning to realize the benefits of outsourcing their noncore activities, and the first to be outsourced is usually the payroll function. Payroll is easy to carve out from the rest of the business since it is usually independent of the other activities or functions within the Accounting Department. Payroll processing may look simple, but the process can get complicated, especially as a business expands its manpower. A payroll accountant has to make sure that correct taxes as well as loans of their employees are properly deducted, update the tax status of employees (single, married, no. of dependents, etc.) on a regular basis; monitor work activities during the payroll period (overtimes, sick leaves, vacation leaves, etc.); know which income accounts are taxable or not (de minimis, bonuses within the P82,000 limit, etc.); know the rules and regulations and the latest updates of relevant government agencies (BIR, SSS, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, etc.); and ensure that payroll processing and payouts are done on time to avoid employee complaints or dissatisfaction. In addition, the payroll accountant has to ensure that contributions to various government agencies are properly posted to the accounts of the employees. In some companies, payroll processing consumes a significant part of management time: The highest finance or HR officer in the company oftentimes handles management or executive payroll. If payroll is outsourced, the executive officer has better use of his or her time than reviewing or processing the payroll. Moreover, there is the issue of confidentiality – some employees may inadvertently gain access to confidential payroll information when data are lying around during the payroll processing period. Another issue that business owners must watch out for with regard to payroll is fraud. Since the processing of payroll is handled by just one or two trusted persons, oversight may be lax and review may not always be conducted thoroughly, thus fraud happens. P&A Grant Thornton can handle your payroll processing needs so that your management team can focus on your core competencies, enabling you to concentrate on what’s really important to your business . Our team of well-experienced and properly trained professionals can handle your payroll requirements whether you have 10 or 10,000 personnel. In addition to the computation of employees’ pay, P&A Grant Thornton can also provide the following functions under our payroll processing services: Maintain bank accounts exclusively for payroll and payroll-related disbursements Prepare schedules of statutory and internal contributions and obligations File and pay statutory contributions and obligations, manually or electronically Annualize employees’ income tax Provide secure online payslips through our ePayroll facility Handle administration of benefits that needs coordination with government agencies

Japan Desk

See Overview

Careers

Why Grant Thornton is a great place to work
Opportunities
FAQs

Why Grant Thornton is a great place to work

We value each of the 50,000 people in our member firms equally and appreciate every contribution across Grant Thornton.

See Overview

Our values
Grant Thornton prides itself on being a values-driven organisation and we have more than 38,500 people in over 130 countries who are passionately committed to these values.
Global culture
Our people tell us that our global culture is one of the biggest attractions of a career with Grant Thornton.
Learning & development
At Grant Thornton we believe learning and development opportunities allow you to perform at your best every day. And when you are at your best, we are the best at serving our clients
Global talent mobility
One of the biggest attractions of a career with Grant Thornton is the opportunity to work on cross-border projects all over the world.
Diversity
Diversity helps us meet the demands of a changing world. We value the fact that our people come from all walks of life and that this diversity of experience and perspective makes our organisation stronger as a result.
In the community
Many Grant Thornton member firms provide a range of inspirational and generous services to the communities they serve.

Opportunities

If you wish to develop your talents to the fullest and build a fulfilling career, join P&A Grant Thornton, where you will be part of a dynamic...

See Overview

Fresh Graduates
Fresh Graduates
Students
Whether you are starting your career as a graduate or school leaver, P&A Grant Thornton can give you a flying start. We are ambitious. Take the fact that we’re the world’s fastest-growing global accountancy organisation. For our people, that means access to a global organisation and the chance to collaborate with more than 40,000 colleagues around the world. And potentially work in different countries and experience other cultures.
Experienced hires
P&A Grant Thornton offers something you can't find anywhere else. This is the opportunity to develop your ideas and thinking while having your efforts recognised from day one. We value the skills and knowledge you bring to Grant Thornton as an experienced professional and look forward to supporting you as you grow you career with our organisation.

FAQs

If you would like to join Grant Thornton, you may have a few questions about our organisation, how we do business, our culture and our global opportunities....

See Overview

Industries

Consumer products

Emerging markets and shifting consumer demand are creating new opportunities in food and beverage, with business leaders investing in new products, markets,...

See Overview

Education

Our vision is to help learning institutions and business organisations go beyond and create powerful learning cultures through technology integration,...

See Overview

Energy and natural resources

Energy markets worldwide are undergoing major changes. P&A Grant Thornton can help you understand and navigate ensuing challenges and make sure you have the...

See Overview

Financial services

Optimism is slowly returning to the global economy, but the financial services industry needs to regain the trust of public and private bodies. To truly go...

See Overview

Not for profit

Across the globe, not for profit organisations are increasingly expected to deliver more, while at the same time facing cuts in government funding and...

See Overview

Outsourcing

The outsourcing industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the Philippines. Growth in the industry is at an annual average rate of 20%. The industry is...

See Overview

Public sector

Across the globe, countries are moving towards leaner, more commercial, locally focused, and responsive government and public sectors. At P&A Grant Thornton,...

See Overview

Real estate and construction

Opportunity and optimism have emerged within the retail estate and construction industry. At P&A Grant Thornton, it’s our goal to help you benefit from these...

See Overview

Technology, media and communications

At P&A Grant Thornton, we’ll work with you to capitalise on all opportunities, manage the inherent risks the industry has to offer, and provide relevant...

See Overview

Travel, tourism and leisure

Dynamic businesses need to move with speed and purpose if they want to capitalise on opportunities in hospitality and tourism. At P&A Grant Thornton, we know...

See Overview

Retail industry

With operational cost, price competition, and currency volatility, pressure on profits continues to pile on retailers. Advancements in e-commerce are also...

See Overview

Let's Talk Tax

The right answers come to those who ask the right questions

By:

Raymart F. Cinco

28 Jun 20225 min read

Contents

Due to health concerns posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, schools were prohibited from conducting face-to-face classes and subsequently shifted to other means such as online classes or modular distance learning. Early this year, the Department of Education (DepEd) commenced the progressive expansion phase, where selected public and private schools were allowed to conduct limited face-to-face classes. Considering that the number of recent daily cases significantly decreased compared with those recorded during the previous years, the authorities are now eyeing the resumption of full face-to-face classes for the upcoming School Year 2022-23.

As much as we are excited to bring back face-to-face classes, this shouldn’t mean that things will be the same as before. The safety of the students, teachers, and all affected personnel must still be our priority. With that, numerous questions must be addressed to convince everyone that we are now ready for this new normal.

In the same way, various questions were also raised with regard to the taxation of educational institutions. Hence, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has recently issued Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 78-2022 to clarify the different classifications of educational institutions referred to under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended (Tax Code), the income tax treatment under each classification, and the tax exemption and tax liabilities of a specified class of educational institutions.

PROPRIETARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION

A proprietary educational institution refers to a private school maintained and administered by private individuals or groups that strictly adhere to the rules and regulations applicable to educational institutions based on the permit to operate duly issued by the DepEd, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), or the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). To simplify, the term proprietary means private.

1. Domestic Corporation – If the institution is considered a domestic corporation, the income must be subjected to a 10% preferential income tax rate. The same rate will apply to all domestic non-stock, non-profit (NSNP) educational institutions whose net income or assets benefit any specific person.

Pursuant to the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act (CREATE Act), however, the tax rate imposed was reduced to 1% from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023, after which the tax rate shall revert to 10%.

On the other hand, if the gross income from ‘unrelated trade, business or other activity’ of the institution exceeds 50% of the total gross income derived from all sources, the entire taxable income will be subjected to regular corporate income tax. A similar rule will apply to the income of non-stock non-profit (NSNP) educational institutions that is not used actually, directly, and exclusively for educational purposes.

2. Others – The rules on income tax for individuals shall apply to the income of an individual, trust, or estate that owns a proprietary educational institution as a sole proprietor. If the institution is classified as a resident foreign corporation, the income derived will be taxed under Section 28(A) of the Tax Code, as amended.

GOVERNMENT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION

A government educational institution (GEI) refers to a public university or college that is fully owned and subsidized by the government. This may be created through a charter, or a law passed by the Congress of the Philippines.

The GEI is nonetheless exempt from income tax on the income received as such under Section 30(l) of the Tax Code. However, if the GEI's charter does not expressly provide that it is exempt from tax, the institution may only be exempt from income tax and be subjected to other applicable taxes.

NON-STOCK AND NON-PROFIT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION

All revenues and assets shall be exempt from taxes and duties if the NSNP educational institution will comply with two requisites: (1) the school is non-stock and non-profit; and (2) the income is actually, directly, and exclusively used for educational purposes.

To avail of the exemption, NSNP educational institutions shall file their application for tax exemption with the Office of the Assistant Commissioner for Legal Service by submitting the following documents pursuant to Revenue Memorandum Order No. 44-2016:

Original application letter for issuance of tax exemption ruling;
Certified true copy of a Certificate of Good Standing issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission;
Original Certification under Oath of the Treasurer as to the amount of the income, compensation, salaries or any emoluments paid to its trustees, officers and other executive officers;
Certified true copy of the Financial Statements for the last three years;
Certified true copy of government recognition/permit/accreditation to operate as an educational institution issued by CHED, DepEd, or TESDA; and
Original Certificate of utilization of annual revenues and assets by the Treasurer or his equivalent.

The one-time certificate of income tax exemption or exemption ruling from the BIR shall remain valid and effective, unless recalled for valid grounds. Failure to secure the certificate or revocation of such will make the income of the institution subject to applicable taxes under the Tax Code.

OTHER DISCUSSIONS

The Circular also clarified other applicable taxes on educational institutions such as deductions from gross income of donors, exemption from donor’s tax and withholding tax obligations. It also reiterated the relevant compliance requirements such as the registration, issuance of receipts and invoices, and filing of tax returns, among others.

WERE ALL QUESTIONS ADDRESSED?

One of the questions still hanging is the clarification on the term 'unrelated trade, business or other activity’. The Circular reiterated that the term 'unrelated trade, business or other activity' means any trade, business or other activity, the conduct of which is not substantially related to the exercise or performance by such educational institution of its primary purpose or function.

However, such is still debatable and may create confusion and uncertainties. Hence, it would be best if the Bureau will further discuss this, especially the question on what constitutes “not substantially” related to the exercise or performance of its primary purpose.

Remember when our teachers would always tell us to ask when something is unclear? With the help of modern technology, let us seek information by asking the right questions. This way, we can help the Bureau determine what matters need to be further clarified. After all, it is our taxes that will be affected.

Let's Talk Tax is a weekly newspaper column of P&A Grant Thornton that aims to keep the public informed of various developments in taxation. This article is not intended to be a substitute for competent professional advice.

As published in BusinessWorld, dated 28 June 2022

The right answers come to those who ask the right questions

Related Articles