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We put our clients in the centre of the conversation. Our experts across various service lines deliver quality work and value-added services tailored to your...

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Annual and short period audit
We perform audit engagements in accordance with the Philippine Standards on Auditing (PSA), as required by required by national legislation or other regulations of agencies such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Insurance Commission (IC), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), etc.
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We help in the preparation of financial statements of clients in accordance with Philippine Standard on Related Services (PSRS) 4410.
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We help you identify the opportunities and pitfalls that can significantly affect your bottom line.

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With our knowledge of tax laws and regulations, we help safeguard the substantive and procedural rights of taxpayers and prevent unwarranted assessments.
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For clients who want to do business in the Philippines, we help set up the business and assist in determining the appropriate and tax-efficient operating business or investment vehicle.
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We offer seminars and trainings on tax-related developments and special issues of interest to taxpayers.

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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...

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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.
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Accounting Services
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.
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We deliver highly trainable and experienced accounting professionals matched to client requirements, covering center and attrition management, and special projects.

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We connect Japanese businesses with trusted local expertise.

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Behind the Numbers: People of P&A Grant Thornton
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Emerging markets and shifting consumer demand are creating new opportunities in food and beverage, with business leaders investing in new products, markets,...

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

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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...

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

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Tax Notes

VAT Refund Mechanism for Non-Resident Tourists in the Philippines

01 May 20252 min read

Contents

As summer approaches and the Philippines remains a top tourist destination, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) issued Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 09-2025 to highlight Republic Act No. 12079, which establishes a value-added tax (VAT) refund mechanism for non-resident tourists.

To qualify, goods must be personally purchased by non-resident tourists from accredited local stores and taken out of the Philippines within 60 days from date of purchase. Each transaction must be worth at least P3,000. This threshold is reviewed and adjusted every three (3) years based on the Consumer Price Index, as recommended by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue.

Non-resident tourists can claim VAT refunds electronically or in cash. To ensure effective implementation, the Department of Finance must engage reputable, globally recognized, and experienced VAT refund operators.

RA No. 12079 takes effect on December 24, 2024, 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette on December 9, 2024, and was circularized by the BIR on April 7, 2025.

Please be guided accordingly.

Source:

P&A Grant Thornton

Certified Public Accountants

P&A Grant Thornton is the Philippine member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd.

As published in SunStar Cebu, dated 01 May 2025