Taxation Reviewer 3

D. ITEMS OF GROSS INCOME

SEC. 32. Gross Income. —
(A) General Definition. — Except when otherwise provided in this Title, gross income means all income derived from whatever source, including (but not limited to) the following items:
(1) Compensation for services in whatever form paid, including, but not limited to fees, salaries, wages, commissions, and similar items;
(2) Gross income derived from the conduct of trade or business or the exercise of a profession;
(3) Gains derived from dealings in property;
(4) Interests;
(5) Rents;
(6) Royalties;
(7) Dividends;
(8) Annuities;
(9) Prizes and winnings;
(10) Pensions; and
(11) Partner's distributive share from the net income of the general professional partnership.
(B) Exclusions from Gross Income. — The following items shall not be included in gross income and shall be exempt from taxation under this Title:
(1) Life Insurance. — The proceeds of life insurance policies paid to the heirs or beneficiaries upon the death of the insured, whether in a single sum or otherwise, but if such amounts are held by the insurer under an agreement to pay interest thereon, the interest payments shall be included in gross income.
(2) Amount Received by Insured as Return of Premium. — The amount received by the insured, as a return of premiums paid by him under life insurance, endowment, or annuity contracts, either during the term or at the maturity of the term mentioned in the contract or upon surrender of the contract.
(3) Gifts, Bequests, and Devises. — The value of property acquired by gift, bequest, devise, or descent: Provided, however, That income from such property, as well as gift, bequest, devise, or descent of income from any property, in cases of transfers of divided interest, shall be included in gross income.
(4) Compensation for Injuries or Sickness. — Amounts received, through Accident or Health Insurance or under Workmen's Compensation Acts, as compensation for personal injuries or sickness, plus the amounts of any damages received, whether by suit or agreement, on account of such injuries or sickness.
(5) Income Exempt under Treaty. — Income of any kind, to the extent required by any treaty obligation binding upon the Government of the Philippines.
(6) Retirement Benefits, Pensions, Gratuities, etc. —
(a) Retirement benefits received under Republic Act No. 7641 and those received by officials and employees of private firms, whether individual or corporate, in accordance with a reasonable private benefit plan maintained by the employer: Provided, That the retiring official or employee has been in the service of the same employer for at least ten (10) years and is not less than fifty (50) years of age at the time of his retirement: Provided, further, That the benefits granted under this subparagraph shall be availed of by an official or employee only once. For purposes of this Subsection, the term 'reasonable private benefit plan' means a pension, gratuity, stock bonus or profit-sharing plan maintained by an employer for the benefit of some or all of his officials or employees, wherein contributions are made by such employer for the officials or employees, or both, for the purpose of distributing to such officials and employees the earnings and principal of the fund thus accumulated, and wherein it is provided in said plan that at no time shall any part of the corpus or income of the fund be used for, or be diverted to, any purpose other than for the exclusive benefit of the said officials and employees.
(b) Any amount received by an official or employee or by his heirs from the employer as a consequence of separation of such official or employee from the service of the employer because of death, sickness or other physical disability or for any cause beyond the control of the said official or employee.
(c) The provisions of any existing law to the contrary notwithstanding, social security benefits, retirement gratuities, pensions and other similar benefits received by resident or nonresident citizens of the Philippines or aliens who come to reside permanently in the Philippines from foreign government agencies and other institutions, private or public.
(d) Payments of benefits due or to become due to any person residing in the Philippines under the laws of the United States administered by the United States Veterans Administration.
(e) Benefits received from or enjoyed under the Social Security System in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 8282.
(f) Benefits received from the GSIS under Republic Act No. 8291, including retirement gratuity received by government officials and employees.
(7) Miscellaneous Items. —
(a) Income Derived by Foreign Government. — Income derived from investments in the Philippines in loans, stocks, bonds or other domestic securities, or from interest on deposits in banks in the Philippines by (i) foreign governments, (ii) financing institutions owned, controlled, or enjoying refinancing from foreign governments, and (iii) international or regional financial institutions established by foreign governments.
(b) Income Derived by the Government or its Political Subdivisions. — Income derived from any public utility or from the exercise of any essential governmental function accruing to the Government of the Philippines or to any political subdivision thereof.
(c) Prizes and Awards. — Prizes and awards made primarily in recognition of religious, charitable, scientific, educational, artistic, literary, or civic achievement but only if:
(i) The recipient was selected without any action on his part to enter the contest or proceeding; and
(ii) The recipient is not required to render substantial future services as a condition to receiving the prize or award.
(d) Prizes and Awards in Sports Competition. — All prizes and awards granted to athletes in local and international sports competitions and tournaments whether held in the Philippines or abroad and sanctioned by their national sports associations.
(e) 13th Month Pay and Other Benefits. — Gross benefits received by officials and employees of public and private entities: Provided, however, That the total exclusion under this subparagraph shall not exceed Thirty thousand pesos (P30,000) which shall cover:
(i) Benefits received by officials and employees of the national and local government pursuant to Republic Act No. 6686;
(ii) Benefits received by employees pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 851, as amended by Memorandum Order No. 28, dated August 13, 1986;
(iii) Benefits received by officials and employees not covered by Presidential Decree No. 851, as amended by Memorandum Order No. 28, dated August 13, 1986; and
(iv) Other benefits such as productivity incentives and Christmas bonus: Provided, further, That the ceiling of Thirty thousand pesos (P30,000) may be increased through rules and regulations issued by the Secretary of Finance, upon recommendation of the Commissioner, after considering, among others, the effect on the same of the inflation rate at the end of the taxable year.
(f) GSIS, SSS, Medicare and Other Contributions. — GSIS, SSS, Medicare and Pag-Ibig contributions, and union dues of individuals.
(g) Gains from the Sale of Bonds, Debentures or other Certificate of Indebtedness. — Gains realized from the sale or exchange or retirement of bonds, debentures or other certificate of indebtedness with a maturity of more than five (5) years.
(h) Gains from Redemption of Shares in Mutual Fund. — Gains realized by the investor upon redemption of shares of stock in a mutual fund company as defined in Section 22(BB) of this Code.


1. Compensation for Personal Services

a. in money

b. in kind

i) “Convenience-of-the-employer rule”

Henderson v. Collector, 1 SCRA 649

Facts: Arthur Henderson is the President of the American Intl. Underwriters for the Phils. w/c represents a group of American cos. engaged in the business of general insurance (exc. in life insurance). he receives a basic annual salary of P30,000 and allowance for house rentals and utilities. Although he and his wife are childless and are only two in the family, they lived in a large apartment provided for by his employer. As company president, he and his wife had to entertain and put up houseguests for the company. The BIR now seeks to collect taxes on the allowances for rental and utilities expenses.

Held: The exigencies of Henderson's high executive position, not to mention social standing, demanded and compelled them to live in a more spacious and pretentious quarters like the ones they had occupied. Because they had to entertain and put up houseguests, the employer had to grant him allowances for rental and utilities in addition to his annual basic salary to take care of those expenses for rental and utilities in excess of their personal needs. Hence, the fact that the taxpayers had to live or did not have to live in the apartment chosen by the employer is of no moment, for no part of the allowance redounded to the benefit of the Hendersons. Neither was there an amount retained by them. Their bills for rental were paid directly by the employer to the creditor.

ii) RR 2-98 AND RR 3-98

REVENUE REGULATTION 02-98
(A) Compensation Income Defined. — In general, the term "compensation" means all remuneration for services performed by an employee for his employer under an employer-employee relationship, unless specifically excluded by the Code.
The name by which the remuneration for services is designated is immaterial. Thus, salaries, wages, emoluments and honoraria, allowances, commissions (e.g. transportation, representation, entertainment and the like); fees including director's fees, if the director is, at the same time, an employee of the employer/corporation; taxable bonuses and fringe benefits except those which are subject to the fringe benefits tax under Sec. 33 of the Code; taxable pensions and retirement pay; and other income of a similar nature constitute compensation income.
The basis upon which the remuneration is paid is immaterial in determining whether the remuneration constitutes compensation. Thus, it may be paid on the basis of piece-work, or a percentage of profits; and may be paid hourly, daily, weekly, monthly or annually.
Remuneration for services constitutes compensation even if the relationship of employer and employee does not exist any longer at the time when payment is made between the person in whose employ the services had been performed and the individual who performed them.
(1) Compensation paid in kind. — Compensation may be paid in money or in some medium other than money, as for example, stocks, bonds or other forms of property. If services are paid for in a medium other than money, the fair market value of the thing taken in payment is the amount to be included as compensation subject to withholding. If the services are rendered at a stipulated price, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, such price will be presumed to be the fair market value of the remuneration received. If a corporation transfers to its employees its own stock as remuneration for services rendered by the employee, the amount of such remuneration is the fair market value of the stock at the time the services were rendered.
(2) Living quarters or meals. — If a person receives a salary as remuneration for services rendered, and in addition thereto, living quarters or meals are provided, the value to such person of the quarters and meals so furnished shall be added to the remuneration paid for the purpose of determining the amount of compensation subject to withholding. However, if living quarters or meals are furnished to an employee for the convenience of the employer, the value thereof need not be included as part of compensation income.
(3) Facilities and privileges of a relatively small value. — Ordinarily, facilities and privileges (such as entertainment, medical services, or so called "courtesy" discounts on purchases), furnished or offered by an employer to his employees generally, are not considered as compensation subject to withholding if such facilities or privileges are of relatively small value and are offered or furnished by the employer merely as a means of promoting the health, goodwill, contentment, or efficiency of his employees.
Where compensation is paid in property other than money, the employer shall make necessary arrangements to ensure that the amount of the tax required to be withheld is available for payment to the Commissioner.
(4) Tips and gratuities. — Tips or gratuities paid directly to an employee by a customer of the employer which are not accounted for by the employee to the employer are considered as taxable income but not subject to withholding.
(5) Pensions, retirement and separation pay. — Pensions, retirement and separation pay constitute compensation subject to withholding, except those provided under Subsection B of this section.
(6) Fixed or variable transportation, representation and other allowances —
(a) IN GENERAL, fixed or variable transportation, representation and other allowances which are received by a public officer or employee or officer or employee of a private entity, in addition to the regular compensation fixed for his position or office, is compensation subject to withholding.
(b) Any amount paid specifically, either as advances or reimbursements for travelling, representation and other bonafide ordinary and necessary expenses incurred or reasonably expected to be incurred by the employee in the performance of his duties are not compensation subject to withholding, if the following conditions are satisfied:
(i) It is for ordinary and necessary travelling and representation or entertainment expenses paid or incurred by the employee in the pursuit of the trade, business or profession; and
(ii) The employee is required to account/liquidate for the foregoing expenses in accordance with the specific requirements of substantiation for each category of expenses pursuant to Sec. 34 of the Code. The excess of actual expenses over advances made shall constitute taxable income if such amount is not returned to the employer. Reasonable amounts of reimbursements/ advances for travelling and entertainment expenses which are pre-computed on a daily basis and are paid to an employee while he is on an assignment or duty need not be subject to the requirement of substantiation and to withholding.
(7) Vacation and sick leave allowances. — Amounts of "vacation allowances or sick leave credits" which are paid to an employee constitute compensation. Thus, the salary of an employee on vacation or on sick leave, which are paid notwithstanding his absence from work, constitutes compensation. However, the monetized value of unutilized vacation leave credits of ten (10) days or less which were paid to the employee during the year are not subject to income tax and to the withholding tax.
(8) Deductions made by employer from compensation of employee. — Any amount which is required by law to be deducted by the employer from the compensation of an employee including the withheld tax is considered as part of the employee's compensation and is deemed to be paid to the employee as compensation at the time the deduction is made.
(9) Remuneration for services as employee of a nonresident alien individual or foreign entity. — The term "compensation" includes remuneration for services performed by an employee of a nonresident alien individual, foreign partnership or foreign corporation, whether or not such alien individual or foreign entity is engaged in trade or business within the Philippines. Any person paying compensation on behalf of a non-resident alien individual, foreign partnership, or foreign corporation which is not engaged in trade or business within the Philippines is subject to all provisions of law and regulations applicable to an employer.
(10) Compensation for services performed outside the Philippines. — Remuneration for services performed outside the Philippines by a resident citizen for a domestic or a resident foreign corporation or partnership, or for a non-resident corporation or partnership, or for a non-resident individual not engaged in trade or business in the Philippines shall be treated as compensation which is subject to tax.
A non-resident citizen as defined in these regulations is taxable only on income derived from sources within the Philippines. In general, the situs of the income whether within or without the Philippines, is determined by the place where the service is rendered.

REVENUE REGULATION NO. 03-98: Implementing Section 33 of the National Internal Revenue Code, as Amended by Republic Act No. 8424 Relative to the Special Treatment of Fringe Benefits (January 1, 1998)
SPECIAL TREATMENT OF FRINGE BENEFITS
Imposition of Fringe Benefits Tax — A final withholding tax is hereby imposed on the grossed-up monetary value of fringe benefit furnished, granted or paid by the employer to the employee, except rank and file employees as defined in these Regulations, whether such employer is an individual, professional partnership or a corporation, regardless of whether the corporation is taxable or not, or the government and its instrumentalities except when: (1) the fringe benefit is required by the nature of or necessary to the trade, business or profession of the employer; or (2) when the fringe benefit is for the convenience or advantage of the employer. The fringe benefit tax shall be imposed at the
following rates: Effective 1/1/1998 - 34%; 1/ 1/1999 - 33%; 1/1/2000 - 32%.
Definition of Fringe Benefit — In general, except as otherwise provided under these regulations, for purposes of this Section, the term "FRINGE BENEFIT" means any good, service, or other benefit furnished or granted by an employer in cash or in kind, in addition to basic salaries, to an individual employee (except rank and file employee as defined in these regulations) such as, but not limited to the following:
(1) Housing;
(2) Expense account;
(3) Vehicle of any kind;
(4) Household personnel, such as maid, driver and others;
(5) Interest on loan at less than market rate to the extent of the difference between the market rate and actual rate granted;
(6) Membership fees, dues and other expenses borne by the employer for the employee in social and athletic clubs or other similar organizations;
(7) Expenses for foreign travel;
(8) Holiday and vacation expenses;
(9) Educational assistance to the employee or his dependents; and
(10) Life or health insurance and other non-life insurance premiums or similar amounts in excess of what the law allows.
Coverage — These Regulations shall cover only those fringe benefits given or furnished to managerial or supervisory employees and not to the rank and file.
The term, "RANK AND FILE EMPLOYEES" means all employees who are holding neither managerial nor supervisory position. The Labor Code of the Philippines, as amended, defines "managerial employee" as one who is vested with powers or prerogatives to lay down and execute management policies and/or to hire, transfer, suspend, lay-off, recall, discharge, assign or discipline employees. "Supervisory employees" are those who, in the interest of the employer, effectively recommend such managerial actions if the exercise of such authority is not merely routinary or clerical in nature but requires the use of independent judgment.
Moreover, these regulations do not cover those benefits properly forming part of compensation income subject to withholding tax on compensation in accordance with Revenue Regulations No. 2-98.
Fringe benefits which have been paid prior to January 1, 1998 shall not be covered by these Regulations.
The grossed-up monetary value of the fringe benefit shall be determined by dividing the monetary value of the fringe benefit by the following percentages and in accordance with the following schedule: Effective 1/1/1998 - 66%; 1/ 1/ 1999 - 67%; 1/ 1/2000 - 68%.
The grossed-up monetary value of the fringe benefit represents the whole amount of income realized by the employee which includes the net amount of money or net monetary value of property which has been received plus the amount of fringe benefit tax thereon otherwise due from the employee but paid by the employer for and in behalf of his employee, pursuant to the provisions of this Section.
Determination of the Amount Subject to the Fringe Benefit Tax — In general, the computation of the fringe benefits tax would entail (a) valuation of the benefit granted and (b) determination of the proportion or percentage of the benefit which is subject to the fringe benefit tax. That the Tax Code allows for the cases where only a portion (i.e. less than 100 per cent) of the fringe benefit is subject to the fringe benefit tax is clearly stated in Section 33 (a) of R.A. 8424 which stipulates that fringe benefits which are "required by the nature of, or necessary to the trade, business or profession of the employer, or when the fringe benefit is for the convenience or advantage of the employer" are not subject to the fringe benefit tax. Thus, in cases where the fringe benefits entail joint benefits to the employer and employee, the portion which shall be subject to the fringe benefits tax and the guidelines for the valuation of fringe benefits are defined under these rules and regulations.
Unless otherwise provided in these regulations, the valuation of fringe benefits shall be as follows:
(1) If the fringe benefit is granted in money, or is directly paid for by the employer, then the value is the amount granted or paid for.
(2) If the fringe benefit is granted or furnished by the employer in property other than money and ownership is transferred to the employee, then the value of the fringe benefit shall be equal to the fair market value of the property as determined in accordance with Sec. 6 (E) of the Code (Authority of the Commissioner to Prescribe Real Property Values).
(3) If the fringe benefit is granted or furnished by the employer in property other than money but ownership is not transferred to the employee, the value of the fringe benefit is equal to the depreciation value of the property.
Taxation of fringe benefit received by a non-resident alien individual who is not engaged in trade or business in the Philippines — A fringe benefit tax of twenty-five percent (25%) shall be imposed on the grossed-up monetary value of the fringe benefit. The said tax base shall be computed by dividing the monetary value of the fringe benefit by seventy-five per cent (75%).
Taxation of fringe benefit received by (1) an alien individual employed by regional or area headquarters of a multinational company or by regional operating headquarters of a multinational company; (2) an alien individual employed by an offshore banking unit of a foreign bank established in the Philippines; (3) an alien individual employed by a foreign service contractor or by a foreign service subcontractor engaged in petroleum operations in the Philippines; and (4) any of their Filipino individual employees who are employed and occupying the same position as those occupied or held by the alien employees. — A fringe benefit tax of fifteen per cent (15%) shall be imposed on the grossed-up monetary value of the fringe benefit. The said tax base shall be computed by dividing the monetary value of the fringe benefit by eighty-five per cent (85%).
Taxation of fringe benefit received by employees in special economic zones — Fringe benefits received by employees in special economic zones, including Clark Special Economic Zone and Subic Special Economic and Free Trade Zone, are also covered by these regulations and subject to the normal rate of fringe benefit tax or the special rates of 25% or 15% as provided above.
(For further info. see the original RR 03-98)


E. INTEREST INCOME

1. Taxable

2. Not Taxable

3. Imputed Interest on inter-company loans/advances

SEC. 50. Allocation of Income and Deductions. — In the case of two or more organizations, trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated and whether or not organized in the Philippines) owned or controlled directly or indirectly by the same interests, the Commissioner is authorized to distribute, apportion or allocate gross income or deductions between or among such organization, trade or business, if he determines that such distribution, apportionment or allocation is necessary in order to prevent evasion of taxes or clearly to reflect the income of any such organization, trade or business.

RMC No. 63-99
REVENUE MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 63-99: Determination of Taxable Income on Inter-Company Loans or Advances applying Sec. 50 of the NIRC, as amended
Coverage: This paper applies to all forms of bona fide indebtedness and includes:
1. Loans or advances of money or other consideration (w/n evidenced by a written instrmt);
2. Indebtedness arising in the ordinary course of business out of sales, leases, or the rendition of services by or between members of the group,, or any other similar transaction;
3. But does not apply to alleged indebtedness w/c was in fact a contribution of capital or a distribution by a corporation w/ respect to its shares.

This order adopts the arm's length distribution by a corporation w/ respect to its shares shall be the rate of interest w/c was charged or would have been charged at the time the indebtedness arose in independent transaction w/ or between related unrelated parties under similar circumstances. All relevant factors will be considered, incl. the amount and duration of the loan, the security involved, the credit standing of the borrower, and the interest rate prevailing at the situs of the lender or creditor for comparable loans. For domestic transactions, the standard of interest rate is the Bank Reference Rate prescribed by the Central Bank.
Sec. 50 applies to both taxable entities and tax exempt organizations.


F. INCOME UNDER LEASE AGREEMENT (Sec. 49, RR-2)

Section 49. Improvements by lessees. - When buildings are erected or improvements made by a lessee in pursuance of an agreement with the lessor, and such buildings or improvements are not subject to removal by the lessee, the lessor may at his option report the income therefrom upon either of the following bases:
(a) The lessor may report as income at the time when such buildings or improvements are completed the fair market value of such buildings or improvements subject to the lease.
(b) The lessor may spread over the life of the lease the estimated depreciated value of such buildings or improvements at the termination of the lease and report as income for each of the lease all adequate part thereof.
If for any other reason than a bona fide purchase from the lessee by the lessor the lease is terminated, so that the lessor comes into possession or control of the property prior to the time originally fixed for the termination of the lease, the lessor receives additional income for the year in which the lease is so terminated to the extent that the value of such buildings or improvements when he became entitled to such possession exceeds the amount already reported as income on account of the erection of such buildings or improvements. No appreciation in value due to causes other than the pre-mature termination of the lease shall be included. Conversely, if the building or improvements are destroyed prior to the expiration of the lease, the lessor is entitled to deduct as a loss for the year when such destruction takes place the amount previously reported as income because of the erection of such buildings or improvements, less any salvage value subject to the lease to the extent that such loss was not compensated for by insurance. If the buildings or improvements destroyed were acquired prior to March 1, 1913, the deduction shall be based on the cost or the value subject to the lease to the extent that such loss was not compensated for by insurance.

1. Rent

2. Obligations of lessor to third parties assumed and paid by lessee

3. Advance Rental

4. Leasehold Improvements