BIR Ruling

November 16, 1977 Unlawful Divulgence of Trade Secrets This refers to your letter dated September 28, 1977 requesting a copy of the financial statement of MD & CAM Transit and Taxi Co., Inc., for purposes of increasing your allowance pursuant to P.D. No. 1123. In reply, I regret to inform you that your request cannot be granted in view of the prohibition under Section 332 (formerly Section 347) of the Tax Code of 1977 which for purposes of reference is quoted hereunder as follows: "SEC. 332. Unlawful divulgence of trade secrets . Except as provided in Section 81 of this Code and Section 26 of Republic Act No. 6388, any officer or employee of the Bureau of Internal Revenue who divulges to any person or makes known in any other manner than may be provided by law information regarding the business, income or inheritance of any taxpayer, the secrets, operation, style of work, or apparatus of any manufacturer or producer, or confidential information regarding the business of any taxpayer, knowledge of which was acquired by him in the discharge of his official duties, shall be fined in a sum of not more than P2,000 or imprisoned for a term of not less than six months nor more than five years, or both." (PD 69) cda